Memphis 2019

December 4-8, 2019

A work trip to Memphis for the annual St. Jude Marathon, but I still made some time to explore the town! This trip, I stayed at the Hu Hotel, a boutique hotel in Downtown Memphis, for the first time. The effortlessly cool modern, yet retro interiors were very cool. The had a rooftop bar with expansive views of the river. Two of the paintings in the hotel lobby were recently purchased pieces by Amanda Brazier – a Chattanooga artist that works in geometrics and natural pigments. These were two of the paintings on display in the Creative Arts Guild lobby when Peter and I got married in 2014. Small world, right?

I’ve seen the Peabody ducks many times, but this time I decided to wait for them at the top of the elevator and catch them as they walk across the roof to the Duck Palace. I even got to meet the Duckmaster, Doug Weatherford. If you ever want to visit the ducks, they march from the roof to the downstairs fountain at 11AM and back upstairs at 5PM.  If you want to get the best seats in the house, get there early and snag a table near the fountain on the elevator side or stand in the mezzanine to view it from above.
Im not a big souvenir purchaser, but I will by meaningful (and practical) items to wear or art to display. This trip I bought a new pair of tennis shoes at the Peabody shops (much needed – mine were worn out!). They’re my color and have a cool texture on the top that reminds me of carpet (I know, flooring nerd here). I’ll always think of the Peabody when I wear them.

Discovered a couple of new favorites on the trip – BarWare, a craft cocktail bar, and Brockmans Gin (Not Memphis made, but YUM y’all). We also visited the Bass Pro Shops pyramid and paid $11(!!!) just to ride the elevator to the bar at the top. Neat lookout spot, but not sure I’ll be back, haha!
Finally, the annual St Jude Marathon was the reason for the entire trip. I’m so proud to work for a company – Shaw – that supports causes like St. Jude. We had a team of over 100 runners, that raised 160K for St. Jude. We had a small group running with a former St. Jude patient and Shaw friend – Kiara – When she stood up from her wheelchair and walked across the finish line (with an assist from her dad), there wasn’t a dry eye in the cheering section.