Trip Journal

We’re excited to about our upcoming Mardi Gras Celebration tour in New Orleans! Our adventure begins on February 8th. Be sure to check back here for photos and daily updates from our journey.
We have a fantastic itinerary planned, including visits to plantations, museums, and the French Quarter. We’ll also make stops at Graceland and Abraham Lincoln’s Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois. It’s sure to be a memorable experience!

February 8, 2026 Sunday

We are off to a great start. Clear roads, good lunch at the Golden Corral and sunny skies all afternoon. Still cool only reaching mid 30’s, but we don’t have to go outside tonight, everything we need is inside the Hilton Hotel in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

 

February 9, 2026 Monday

Sunny day hitting the low 70’s.  In Memphis on Beale Street we had lunch at Kings Palace, had a chance for some shopping and time to tour of the Rock & Soul Museum. A great museum on a wonderful day. We saw some ice storm damage along the freeway this afternoon on the way to the hotel. Tonight we stay just north of Jackson Mississippi at the Pardo Hotel.

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Elvis on Beale Street

Elvis on Beale Street

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Kings Palace Lunch Beale Street

Kings Palace Lunch Beale Street

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Kings Palace Lunch Beale Street

Kings Palace Lunch Beale Street

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Beale Street General Store

Beale Street General Store

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Beale Street General Store

Beale Street General Store

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Beale Street

Beale Street

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Memphis

Memphis

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Fed Ex Arena

Fed Ex Arena

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

Rock & Soul Museum Memphis

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Mississippi Storm Damage

Mississippi Storm Damage

February 10, 2026 Tuesday

Another sunny day reaching the 70’s. This morning we stopped at the Louisiana Welcome Center on our way to New Orleans. In New Orleans we went to the river and had lunch in the mall along side the Mississippi River. The World War Two museum was next. A huge complex, it had everything imaginable related to the war. After hotel check in, we went to the French Quarter for an evening at the New Orleans Cooking School. Authentic Cajun food was prepared and served with corn & crab soup, jambalaya, flaming bananas foster and pralines.

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Homes on the bayou

Homes on the bayou

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Homes on the bayou

Homes on the bayou

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Louisiana Welcome Center

Louisiana Welcome Center

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Superdome

Superdome

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WWII Museum Memory Wall

WWII Museum Memory Wall

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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WW II Museum

WW II Museum

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Cooking School

Cooking School

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Cooking School

Cooking School

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Cooking School

Cooking School

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Cooking School Banana Foster

Cooking School Banana Foster

February 11, 2026 Wednesday

Today,  a mix of sun and short showers with warm skies. This morning we had a city tour stopping off at a cemetery with lunch and shopping in the French Quarter. After lunch we toured Mardi Gras World, the place where they make the floats for our parade. Tonight we have reserved seating at the parade and pleasant temperatures.

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Living Oaks

Living Oaks

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St Charles Street Car

St Charles Street Car

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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St. Louis Cemetery

St. Louis Cemetery

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral

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Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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French Quarter

French Quarter

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Jackson Square

Jackson Square

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St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral

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St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral

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Mississippi River Traffic

Mississippi River Traffic

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Mississippi River Traffic

Mississippi River Traffic

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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“KAREN”

"KAREN"

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World

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Lining up for the 6:00 Pm parade at 10:00 AM

Lining up for the 6:00 Pm parade at 10:00 AM

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Before the Parade

Before the Parade

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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During the Parade

During the Parade

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Parade Time

Parade Time

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Hunting for beads

Hunting for beads

February 12, 2026 Thursday

Today we started the trip home but first stopping at a retired sugar plantation. Oak Alley Plantation is the queen of plantations on the Mississippi River. 30 majestic oaks create an alley leading to the front door of the big house. We had a house tour and visited the other exhibits. After lunch at the Kliebert alligator exhibit we had a tour allowing us to hold snakes, alligators and a chance to feed the turtles and emus. Tonight we’ll stay in the Jackson area.

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Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation

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Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation

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Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

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Klieberts Gator Tours

Klieberts Gator Tours

February 13, 2026 Friday

Lots to see under sunny skies today. In Memphis wonderful 70 degree weather as we were able to tour Graceland. The mansion would have been such a wonderful place to have lived. Outside, a peaceful setting at the Meditation Garden where Elvis and close relatives are together. Back at the exhibits are cars, costumes, posters and so many important items from the Elvis collection. Amazing how much has been collected, preserved and is on display. Tonight we stay in Sikeston at the Drury Plaza.

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland

Graceland

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Graceland Mansion

Graceland Mansion

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Graceland Mansion

Graceland Mansion

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Graceland Mansion Living Room & Music Room

Graceland Mansion Living Room & Music Room

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Graceland Mansion

Graceland Mansion

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Graceland Mansion Dining Room

Graceland Mansion Dining Room

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Graceland Mansion Billard Room

Graceland Mansion Billard Room

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Graceland Meditation Garden

Graceland Meditation Garden

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Graceland Meditation Garden

Graceland Meditation Garden

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Graceland Meditation Garden

Graceland Meditation Garden

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Graceland Meditation Garden

Graceland Meditation Garden

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland

Graceland

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Jets

Graceland Jets

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Graceland Museum Exhibits

Graceland Museum Exhibits

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Graceland Jets

Graceland Jets

February 14, 2026 Saturday

A different day with changing weather. Cloudy and cooler in the 50’s with spotty rain in the afternoon. In Springfield we toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. A great lifetime exhibit with awesome films. To end the day we stopped at the Presidents tomb and heard the history of the gravesite. Tonight we’re at the Holiday Express in Morton, Illinois.

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Tomb

Lincoln Tomb

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Lincoln Presidential Museum

Lincoln Presidential Museum

February 15, 2026 Sunday

Sunny skies welcome us home. Great weather helps to make the trip even more memorable. All the iconic stops, plus a Mardi Gras Parade is what New Orleans is all about.

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