Day 2: Memphis and Little Rock

This is what I got out of the shower to Monday morning...

He looks pretty comfortable doesn't he? By he, I mean Banks, although Zack looks comfy too. Banks did not get to sleep in our bed back home. For one, he could not, well would not, go up the stairs. In his defense, they were pretty steep and narrow. Secondly, he is typically a restless sleeper. We know this from the times we have visited my parents and let him stay in our room. We will confess, his sedative was probably still in full force and "allowed" him and us a very happy sleep-filled night. As I am writing this, he is again on the bed, and in my spot...lovely. Lucky for him, he is cute. 

We left early Monday morning from Nashville for Little Rock, AK. On our way, we stopped in Memphis to see my dad! We got to tour his factory...the one he has been the lead on retrofitting since September 2009. It was so neat to see something built from scratch and it all in motion! It was also great to meet all the people who work with him, and who you could tell, really admire him and spoke so highly of him and the hard work he has done. Daddy, if you are reading this, we are so proud of you, not only for what you have accomplished for your company but all that you have provided our family with through taking on this opportunity. 

Us in our lovely nets...

After we left the factory, we headed to a lunch place that Zack had been to during a work trip in Memphis. I promised I would not go on about food so I will just say that we both had yummy meals! And, I will be researching an avocado ranch dressing recipe! Also the cafe had our favorite coffee..illy! 

Cafe Eclectic...highly recommend...great food, great service, nice people!

Banks has been really good, so far, on our trip. He doesn't typically mind being in the car, but we were worried since we would be in the car so much. This time of year doesn't really warrant sitting outside at cute cafes under umbrellas such as the ones above, so Banks has spent his fair share inside the cab of the truck. We asked the waitress if she knew of a dog park, to which she said she would go ask. The hostess came back instead, and with a patron of the cafe, who gave us directions to a close-by dog park. I found it so endearing, that in a large city, you still can find very hospitable people who are willing to take the time to help out a total stranger. 

The dog park was perfect! There were a few dogs, a ton of tennis balls scattered about and open range of running space for the wild thing that is Banks. Doesn't he look like he is having a ball!? (No pun intended). And, somehow, he managed to get two tennis balls in his mouth at once. Yes, like I said before, there were TONS around, but I guess he got a bit excited. Wouldn't you?

We then ventured to downtown Memphis to check out the Mississippi River. On our way, we got behind a trolley on Main Street. These trolleys are still operated on tracks, something I have never seen (or that I can remember.)

My dad had showed us a picture of the bridge that crosses over the Mississippi River, joining Tennessee and Arkansas, and explained that bridge trusses are in an 'M' shape for Memphis. It was neat to see in person. Zack pointed out how fast moving the water was...you could see the movement all the way from where I was standing in the picture on the left below. We enjoyed Downtown and Midtown Memphis and what they had to offer. There was lots of charm and the city appeared to be in the midst of some restoration. A place I wouldn't mind visiting again!

The highway to Little Rock was filled with eighteen-wheeler after eighteen-wheeler (cue Alabama's Roll On). Once again, luckily I was not the driver. Zack kept himself entertained with Pandora and the fields and fields FULL of birds. As he explained to me, this is the time of year that birds migrate south to escape harsh winters in the north. We saw mallards, Canadian geese and what we think were Snow geese. The snow geese were further away but created a white-spotted cluster hovering over an open field. Anyone who knows me well, knows I despise birds, but I will admit, this was pretty cool to see. 

 I wasn't able to get a good picture, but it looked something like this one.

We made it to Little Rock in time to grab some take out from ZaZa's Fine Salad + Oven Wood Pizza, check into the hotel and watch some of the BCS championship. Dinner consisted of Buffalo Chicken Pizza and a Greek Salad to split. I curbed a sweet-tooth craving with a cup of Dulce De Leche gelato (caramel-y sweet cream). The pizza was good, the salad was good minus the dressing (not good), and the gelato was lick-the-bowl-clean good...and I did; don't judge.

It's off to bed! I hope this posted post made since sense. It's late. I am tired. Note to self: do not try to write two (what I thought would be short, but turned out to be long) posts in once day.