The Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel
Memphis, Tennessee
April, 2009
Last week we drove through Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. This photo shows the hilarious Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. The hotel has a large fountain in the lobby, where five ducks spend each day lounging. Every evening, the Duckmaster leads them from the fountain and up an elevator to their bedroom. Hundreds of enthusiastic tourists snap photos as the ducks stroll down the red carpet. In other words, it’s exactly the kind of wacky Americana I was hoping to encounter on this road trip.
I’ve wanted to go to Dodge City, Kansas since the Grizwolds got shot at a saloon on their way to Wallyworld, but it turned out to be much less interesting than I’d hoped. I should have taken photos in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but I was too busy car-dancing. Downtown Little Rock was a particularly fun place to walk around.
We spent a couple hours exploring Memphis one afternoon. We walked around Beale Street and the neighboring areas before heading east toward Nashville. Nashville was one of the best parts of our trip; we loved the lively bars, attractive streets, and friendly atmosphere.
Ally, relaxing in our hotel room in Dodge City
The wild west section of Dodge City
In the 1880s, there was a historic fight that occurred at the Long Branch saloon by the mayor vs the police officer.
I have a new appreciation for the expression “get the heck out of Dodge.” We did.
Beale Street in Memphis
Peeking in the window at the Gibson factory in Memphis
The ducks in the fountain at the Peabody Hotel, with a crowd waiting to watch their procession.
A heavy rain storm rolled in that afternoon. Beale Street looked cool under the menacing clouds.
On the road in Tennesse. Ally loved being in the car with us.
Nashville
Second Street in Nashville
Surely you didn’t expect me to go to Tennessee and not pose with Elvis?
Nashville was cool. I loved the bars on 2nd Street, and the general look and feel of the city.
Mike with one of the two iPhones that provided all of our direction for the road trip.
Ally loved to look out the window at all the new things.
Happy dog
You really, really should. I saw a reference to the Algonquin and Matilda on TV one night.
…if/when you do go there to meet either Matilda, or Hamlet, I’ll be looking forward to pictures!
what kind of a dog is ally? she’s beautiful!
what kind of a dog is ally? she’s beautiful!
We just got here. Dodged 6 tornadoes. Not a fun drive that is for sure.
Supposed to be nice the rest of the weekend.
we also think so =) and he thinks same… jumping, running, playing like young
Ally will be 5 this summer. I still think of her as a puppy, though!
we also think so =) and he thinks same… jumping, running, playing like young
Thanks =) he is 13 years old. Ally how old is?
Oh how beautiful! Baton really does look a lot like Ally!
I’ve heard about Mud Island, but we didn’t have time to go check it out. It sounds like we’ll need to return soon!
There can’t be too many Memphis hotels with Duckmasters, so I’m pretty sure it’s the same place! 🙂
The ducks are pretty well trained, and they respond to his whistle. I was standing far from the red carpet, but I think there were duck treats scattered down the path, too.
If you go to the Peabody, try to show up just before 5pm, when the duckies march. It was sheer coincidence that we walked in the lobby then.
I would love to have seen it at night. It’s a shame that the storm rolled in that evening.
It sounds like we’re going to need to check out the Algonquin Hotel… thanks for the tip!
I hope you’re having a good time in Nashville!
She would love a hug, thanks!
Oh your dog looks like ours? How fun!
Second and Broadway were hopping already! I was shocked to see how many people were out dancing to live bands at 3:30 in the afternoon. TOTALLY cool.
Thanks =) he is 13 years old. Ally how old is?
mine =) http://pics.livejournal.com/filonova_olga/pic/00gdqsa9
named Baton (like white bread)
I’ll bet Ally’s enjoying this trip as much as her Mommy and Daddy are.
There’s a Dutch saying about leaving your suitcase in a place…and that’s true for me in Memphis. I fell in love with the town– I really want to get back there. Mud Island was awesome– you didn’t get to go there? They have a scale replica of the Mississippi and the direct water from the Mississippi through the model. You can walk in it! Whee!!
There’s a Dutch saying about leaving your suitcase in a place…and that’s true for me in Memphis. I fell in love with the town– I really want to get back there. Mud Island was awesome– you didn’t get to go there? They have a scale replica of the Mississippi and the direct water from the Mississippi through the model. You can walk in it! Whee!!
That _is_ the hotel my friends stayed at!!! That is a great picture of the Duck Master…he might like a copy!
All beautiful pics and I absolutely love the one of Ally with her nose stuck in the door handle 🙂
How does he get them out of the fountain!?
How does he get them out of the fountain!?
I was just in Memphis a few weeks ago, and now I wish I’d stopped in at the Peabody. Looks like great fun! Glad to hear you’re having such a good time!
Love all the neon signs in Memphis! Beale street would be neat to see at night!
The Duckmaster idea is a riot! Wacky, and wonderful.
I’m surprised you haven’t gone to New York’s Algonquin Hotel to check out Matilda, its resident cat (if it’s a male cat, the name is Hamlet; if it’s female, the name is Matilda).
Looks like the three of you had a great time, and I’m glad. 🙂
Great shots. My two favorite cities Memphis (where I grew up) and Nashville (where I will be tomorrow).
that looks like so much fun! and, man i love ally. she is so cute! she just needs a hug!
oh nice dog =) looks like brother of mine =)
oh nice dog =) looks like brother of mine =)
Oops, thanks!
Brilliant photos! Looks like it was a lot of fun.
Also, I think you meant to put 2009 under the first photo, not 2008 😉
SQUEE!!!
DUCKS!
Love the photos you got of my current town 🙂 You should really visit in the summer, Second Ave and Broadway are hopping when the weather gets nicer!
Also, the last photo of Ally, is pretty much killing me. Love it! She must be such a good girl to travel so far!