Lets Go lazerTag!

Today we had a very busy day! We went to The National Civil Rights Museum, The Rock and Soul Museum, The Peabody hotel, The Lorraine Motel and stopped at different places to eat. We were suppose to go to Slave Haven, but it was closed so we went to laser tag instead. Unfortunetly I wasn't feeling very well today (my stomach was really hurting) so I sat the first round out. I wanted to do it but I didnt want to make my stomach worse. After the first round was up I wanted to try the second round, my stomach wasn't hurting as bad. I decided to do it even though I wasn't sure how'd it'd go. We all had to have nicknames while playing, mine was "Directioner" because I like One Direction. Before we got started we went over the rules and put the equipment on, then we started the game. It was a big area with two floors. There were places to hide and good places to aim from. As soon as the game started I was enjoying myself! The game definetly felt like an adventure! I tried my best to dodge and aim shots from the laser, I was really getting into it. The arena was dark but not too dark, there was also smoke! After we played we went out to see our scores. We got score cards. I got 31st place but I didn't mind because I was really just having fun! The laser tag was a lot more fun than I thought it would be, when it was over I wanted to do it some more. I'm glad I decided to try it, if I didn't I would have missed out on something that was really fun!

The Rock and Soul Museum

Today we visited The Rock and Soul Museum. While we were touring through the museum, we were given headphones and a tape player. The tape player gave us information about each exhibit. The nice part about this was that we could tour the museum at our own pace. We also got the option to listen to music from the time period of that exhibit. The museum had lots of interesting items that belonged to the artists during that time. We learned that music brought African American and white people together. It made us see our similarities and forget our differences. Music combined our races and created many friendships. The Rock and Soul Museum was an adventure and we were honored to learn about the history of rock and soul.

-Rachel, Reny, Lovely

The Best Day of the Trip

Today we saw the Lorraine motel where Martin L. King was assassinated. It was a very emotional and quite chilling to see where one of the head leaders of the civil rights movement was brutally murdered. We then went to the rock n' soul museum where we learned about the integration of music and the birthplace of soul and rock n' roll. We then walked about two blocks to eat at Ms.Polly's where we stuffed our faces full of fried delicacies. After lunch, we were able to go tour Sun Studios. This is where many well known artists recorded and cut records. Elvis Presley first recorded here when he was only 18, but he recorded as an amateur. One year later he came to cut a record as a professional, and he signed a contract with Sun Records Company. Then as a treat we were able to go to the Peabody Hotel and watch ducks march from a circular fountain down a red carpet and into an elevator specifically marked off for them. After the regal duck visit we went on a fairly short bus ride to Corky's for some delicious BBQ, and shortly after, chaotic laser tag. The laser tag games were intense. We tried to play girls against boys, but that did not work. Some of the guys kept on shooting some of the other guys. After the laser tag game, we came back to the hotel to get ready for our trip back to Dallas!!



                                                                                          - Jonathan, James, Choi, Alex

Sun Studio

The sun studio visit was awesome! We got to stand in the very room that many singers such as johnny cash and Elvis Presley recorded some of their most successful albums! I think we all agree that this was the best part of this adventure week.

Dayton, Christian,

As soon as we arrived at Sun Studios, we were greeted by an amazing tour guide who's name we unfortunately don't remember. As he led us through the museum, he was ofter struck by his wandering mind and made off-topic comments that made us all giggle (including Mr.J). He talked really fast just like Dewey Phillips, who was the first DJ to ever play Elvis Presley on live radio. He emphasized how big of a role music "played" in integrating the races. "You can segregate people, but you can't segregate sound waves". We got to see actual drums and other instruments used by very famous artists such as Carl Perkins, Johny Cash, Howlin' Wolf, and the one and only Elvis Presley. Music brought people together in a time where nothing else could. Sun Studios managed to teach us all of this and yet we still had a "jammin" time.


- McKenna, Mia ,and Gretchen.

National civil rights museum

Today we visited the national civil rights museum. We saw 20 special women who played a big part in the civil rights era, such as Harriet Tubman, Rosa parks, etc. Then we went to the other section of the museum where we saw how James Earl Ray assassinated Martin Luther King. After that we visited where Dr. King was actually shot. Then we made our way to the gift shop and took a picture outside.

Sun Studios

Today we  visited Sun Studios, where some of the most famous rock and soul artists started. We toured the original building that held many original items used by some of the artists. We even saw the original recording studio where most of the records were made. Sun Studios was my favorite stop by far and I hope we get to do a lot more things on the way back to Dallas.
                                                            - Steven

Mr. Peabody's Ducktastic Ducks

Today we went to the Peabody hotel, and it was "Ducktastic". We say this because of the ducks. That is right, this five star hotel is known for its foul friends! As a matter of fact they hold a ceremony every day where they parade the ducks on a red carpet, into an elevator, and to their penthouse on the roof.

The National Civil Rights Museum

Today was fun! The best part was the National Civil Rights Museum. They had a bunch of exhibits of influential people who aided in civil rights. We saw where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. We also saw where James Earl Ray shot him. The rooms in the exhibit were tiny and intimidating. We enjoyed this museum and we have enjoyed this trip!
                 
~ Ashley, Shelby, Kaia, and Madison

A ducktastic experience

Today we visited the Pebody hotel at 5:00 P.M to see the Peabody Ducks take there dailey march to there rooftop home on the Pebody Hotel. We got there a little early so I decided to watch the ducks. There were three little ducks in the fountin today two girls and one boy. I noticed how well trained the ducks were and how they stayed in the pond and didn't fly out. The fountain was extremely spectacular, with it's vase like features the ducks swam below it as the stone moved up into an open top filled with extrodanary flowers. The duck marshal then walked down the red carpet and got all the ducks to the steps and lead them to there private elevator and back to there roof top home. We were going to get to see the ducks but since there was ice the ducks were closed to the public. I did find out from the duck marshal (or is it master?) that it takes about a week to train the ducks to stay in the pond and that those were the ducks that we saw, it was there third day in the pond.
Well that was our experence at the Pebody Hotel and it was alot of fun
- Katie
P.S. I apoligise for any spelling erors.

Long ride, fun time

Yesterday was a very long ride on our way to Memphis. It took literally forever to get here. What kept me busy most of the time was my phone, my friends, and the movies. When we  got to the hotel, I took a shower and went to SLEEP! Today was fun though. We went to the  Rock n Soul Museum where I learned about the start of music. We just got back from playing Laser Tag- it wore me out!- I'm so tired right now. Today was really fun. Goodnight.                                                          
                                                                                                  --Autumn

Sun Studio

Lunch at Miss Polly's

Rock N Soul Museum

National Civil Rights Museum

A long journey

Yesterday's bus ride was long and tiring. I'd gotten up extremely early that morning just to make sure that I wasn't late and of course, I was the first one there. It wasn't long before we had gotten on the bus but by that time I was ready to go. I think I brought too much stuff because I kept losing everything. I brought my iPad, iPhone, iPod, chargers, mophie, and I had to keep up with my money. I was a little bored throughout the trip, but being accompanied by many friends made me feel better. The movies helped too. It was an exciting ride, even though it took all about 13 hours because of traffic and stops. We didn't have much time to do anything when we finally arrived at the hotel because it was about 9pm, so it there only enough time for dinner.

Extended Adventure

Between the two days that we've been in Memphis, I've definitely liked today's experience much better than yesterday's. Yesterday we traveled out to Memphis at 7 o'clock AM , and we arrived at 8:15 PM. The trip was scheduled to take around 9 hours, but with a 2 hour standstill and miles and miles of stop-and-go traffic, it took 13 hours. However, we made the best of the delays by watching The Help, Remember the Titans, and Despicable Me. I have to admit, I cried during The Help. Overall, we had a nice time with our friends, teachers, and electronics, even though it took a little bit longer than scheduled.

                                                                                                                          ~Bailey 

Hi!! From the Road!!!

We're out here, making our way further into this great adventure. It's really cool being surrounded by mounds of snow sometimes and small pillows of snow the next, and we're still in Texas, and we're already having a fun time.
- Mandy

                                                               

On th road

We are still in Texas the ground outside is covered with snow. I see lots of cows and lots of land. I am already having the time of my life.
Madison Camper