your first trip to graceland

[memphis 77]

my first trip to graceland was back in summer of 76, and know E.P. was on tour and he was expected to play in memphis and i didn't have tickets , but i went i drove to memphis , that day july 5th there were at least 80-100 fans camped outside the gates , harold loyd kept giving water to fans every 30 minutes, by that night there were for certain at least 200 fans and on lookers at 9:33pm E.P. arrived with 2 other cream lincons , E.P.'S car went the back way, while the others came through the front, gary pepper, was nice enough to let me and others watch E.P. go in the back door- i was always amazed how small graceland look on the hill, and at the back[gary had the perfect view]his parents were really nice people, the next time i went to graceland was aug/17/77[enough said], in the summer of 84[july 10 ] this time the mansion was open for tours and i wanted to take a tour for the past 2 years since it open-i never did go back , durring the previous years to visit the grave, but now i was back and exited as heck, i was shakin, my wife just couldn't undrstand what this meant forme, as we made the trip on the shuttle bus, i couldn't believe i was going to see all of graceland[at least i thought], as we got off the bus the tour guide waited at the entrance and stood in silence ubtil the next bus had come up behind us, and suddenly she said I would like to welcome you.....the door swang open after she told us about the story behind graceland, god it was beautiful, even though i wished they left as he did, but it was common knoledge they went back to the 57 decor, but it was beautiful all the same, and tiny, the rooms were so small being a contractor i was surprised at all the rooms we were being shown the largest was 11x 8, then going downstairs , was so cool[i still couldn't believe i was on the very carpet that he stood , and looking at all the records he had in his collection from afar, the best for me was and still is THE TROPHY ROOM[it was changed, nothing like the way E.P. left it ] with all the white islands cupboards and glass counters, but it was and is and always be THE MOST BEAUTFUL THING I EVER SAW[it more than made up for no tour of the kitchen, and MRS PRESLEY'S room, all the awards and the fabled HALL OF GOLD[ an attestament to anyone or any entertainer how great ELVIS PRESLEY was and is , if i died at that moment in that room i was content ] believe me that i never cry , but this was to much for me, i was in my hero's room to where all his acomplishments were stored and that many were to come over the years, i desperatly wanted to touch the jumpsuits and lgo for a closer look, really wanted for this part of the tour to just stop, but it was rushed, and we moved on to the raquetball court , nice, but can we go back to the trophy room, and the last part was something that stood with me all my years since then, it was meditation gardens[ a beautiful peaceful place on earth and a labor of love, made with alabama stone-to bad the foudation is 8' block- it must seep] as we got closer a lady and a youngman were already there kneeling down, as i came close the boy [who wasn't more than 18] got up and turned , [my GOD this kid was crying tears of love, devotion ,like i had never witnessed since that fateful august day, but this was differn't this kid was downright balling] this touched me alot , the lady who was his mother consolled him and told me that he loved ELVIS since he was a toddler, and his drean was to see him , unfortunetly he wdid not get the chance, i introduced my self and spoke of the menmories i had , and suddenly he stetched out his hand and told me his name was kevin vinagre, and we talked some and we soon i had another ELVIS FRIEND , and he was from Norway, this meeting has always stuck in my mind. Oh by the way KEVIN has bin married to claire, and they have 2 children who just started university, and we have bin in touch and friends ever since then, he's the son i never had[his father had died 2 years before the visit and it was a trip he promised his dad he would take , before cancer claimed his life], we are constantly sending eaach other things to complete the collection, i look forward to seeing him and the family this august- we will be meeting at the gravesite where we became friends , oh and by the way kevs son jeremy is also a huge fan and will be continuing the tradition, GRACELAND - its not a house but a home and meeting place , to remember and celebrate the life of THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER the world has ever had., so come home to graceland a home for ELVIS and his FANS!

[elvis0820]

My first trip was in July 1978. When you had to wait outside the gates lined up on the wall to get to walk up to the grave. Over the years I have gone I have ran up on Aunt Delta,Uncle Vester, Al Strada and a few others from the crowd.Been going almost every year since. In fact Ill be in memphis this coming April & August.

[elvis himselvis]

My first time to graceland was last october
It was amazing and i was really in shock,i mean,i was standing in the house of my hero.In the jungle room where he recorded his last songs(i couldn't imagine it happened there)the raquetball court where he played that last night of his life his favorite game,and when i watched at the swimming pool i had to think about the footage of him and priscilla diving there.
Afcourse the meditation garden wich is very peaceful and where our hero lays to rest.
I was also love too see all those jumpsuits and it was strange that he wore those jumpsuits on stage and now these jumpsuits were standing in front of you,and i couldn't imagine he really wore those things.
I wanted to go back but i live in the netherlands,so it's a huge trip for me
but one thing i know...i'll be back

[poormansgold]

My frist trip to graceland was with my sister, she had friends living in Middleton, it's a navy town, it's 15 miles away from memphis, we stay with
them over night, it's was not good, because my sister got drunk, i want to got early in morning to get in line. we got late start, we made it to graceland after we made wrong turn on one street.
after waiting abouyt 1 hr for next tour bus ride to graceland,I can't believe one my dream came true. we got in gracland, I put my feet in doorway same place Elvis did billion times, and I say WOW this is beauiful place one person was next me say I can feel him, his spirit, I say samething to him.
It's Was something I never forget is how it was In hall of gold is I can stay All day long, My sister was getting tried because he had hang over, and My nince crying , we walk to Elvis grave, One lady fall of little step hurt her feet, I help her, she was shoot a picture went fall. I took for her, she thank
you for you help, you not from south, I say yes. I miss the bus for my tour group, the lady of tour group you can stay for next bus. after waiting i was really to go home. it's was nice trip in 1988, Ihope I go back with my famliy soon, not in August because I'm can't handle big groups.
There my story of my first trip to Graceland.

Tom

[elvis himselvis]

those jumpsuits who now were displayed in the raquetball court are the real jumsuits right??
It ain't replica's right???

[Elvis_Lady_1984]

My first trip to memphis and graceland was in 2002. i was 17 at the time...i had been wanting to go since i was 7. i drove down with my older sister, jenny. i was in tears before i even got to epe boulevard... i was so overjoyed the entire time..it was such a great feeling to be there where elvis was and see all his things...there were so many feeling that went thru my body i cant describe, the most powerful wave of emotion was at meditation gardens.. have been 8 times all together now...and i love it more everytime i visit graceland...

Brandy