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Last week, Apryl and I (and Eva, of course) trekked over 500 miles back to Memphis for a little Memorial Day vacation. We enjoyed spending time with our family and friends. We look forward to seeing many of you up here real soon. Below are some photos from our trip (none of which come from the Memphis In May festival):

When in doubt on how to get back home, there’s always a FedEx truck that will show you the way!

We had already planned on trying to make it back to Memphis in time to say “hello” to our WEVL friends during the South Main Trolley Tour, but when I heard about the Memphis Zombie Attack, we knew we would definitely have to wake up early to make it to Memphis in time for the Trolley Tour. The “Attack” consisted of hundreds of men, women, and children made up as zombies, sluggishly walking from Beale St. to the intersection of South Main and G.E. Patterson, attacking folks along the way. That is, folks who wished to become a part of the undead. If you wanted to be attacked, or zombified, you were told to attach duct tape to your shirt. Below is an illustration explaining the rules:

Of course, I had to be zombified!

So I made sure that I left the zombies a clear message to that fact.

Above, I’m getting attacked pretty nicely, with my clothes being torn and fake blood doused on me.

Yep, they got me good. And as you can see, I’m enjoying the madness. (Note: The hole in the jeans was already there.)

Below, are a series of photos of the zombies I took afterwards (before running into Brad and Robyn who themselves were documenting the event).

(Note: Zombie with water bottle.)

(Note: I love the kid’s reaction to easily the most gruesome of the zombies.)

After the Zombie Attack, we ran into many of our friends during the trolley tour. A few photos from the non-zombie part of the evening:

Ansley volunteers at the merchandise table outside of the WEVL radio station.

Apryl runs into her friends Jennifer and Caroline.

Our friends Brandon and Greg rock it out as Jump Back Jake.

We also ran into our friends Judy, Brian, Brad, Robyn, Paul, Summer, David, Gina, and Howell. Afterwards, we had dinner with Brad and Robyn at Hueys. Good night!

After several nights staying with family and meeting up with friends (including dinner with John and Julie), I decided to visit my dad who works in West Point, Mississippi, and stays at the Hotel Chester in Starksville. But before that, I traveled a little farther south to visit my grandmother in Meridian, Mississippi, at her assisted living apartment. I met her for lunch, and then we hung out in her apartment for a few hours. It was great getting to see her and her friends. I don’t get the chance to see her that often, so it was nice spending time with her.

I have always been fascinated with her paintings, which she did at least ten years ago. She had had no formal training when a group of her friends decided that they would start a sort of art club. Without a teacher, the group relied on each other for constructive criticism. My grandmother’s paintings usually dealt with her surroundings living in the Mississippi Delta. Below are some of her work:

(Note: Obviously, the mountains give this one away as one of the few of her paintings not depicting the region.)

After my grandmother’s classes ended, she gave up painting. Though before I left, she mentioned that a canvas and easel were in the closet and perhaps she should start it up again. I hope that she does.

I left my grandmother’s and made it way back up 45 towards Starksville and the Hotel Chester.

Above is the historic Hotel Chester in downtown Starksville.

That night my dad and I had some tasty Mediterranean food at Shaherazad’s. My dad wasn’t too familiar with the cuisine but knew that I enjoyed it and thought it was the perfect time for him to try it out. We ordered two à la carte dishes of baba ganoush, tabboule, hummus, roasted vegetables, spinach pies, and…

… yummy zatter bread!

My dad sitting on a bench full of pillows.

On our last night in Memphis, we had dinner with one of my oldest friends Brian and his wife, Michelle, and his young son, Joe. I’m so glad that we were able to all get together. As well as have some tasty Pete and Sam’s.

It was great getting to see so many friends and family on our trip. I only wish we could have seen everyone!

Goodbye, Memphis!

Note: The White Sox lost every single game while we were away. The first game after we got back home, they beat the Blue Jays 3-0. Hmm.