2010 SPRING TOUR DIARY: Part Seven

From March 9 through April 8, 2010, I toured the Southeast US, doing booksignings, slideshows, school talks, and visiting comics shops and bookstores. It was great trip, maybe the best roadtrip I've ever taken! For what it's worth, here are some photos and recollections of my time on the road.

John P.

Part One / Part Two / Part Three

 Part 3½ / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six

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PART SEVEN:  BIRMINGHAM TO HOUSTON

Back seat of the car before repacking it in Birmingham.

We got up early to clean out the car, then set out from Birmingham on our way to Tupelo, Mississippi.  Since this tour had taken on a decidedly Elvis bent, we thought we should see where the man himself was born.  And boy was I glad we did.

Welcome to Mississippi.

The two-room house where Elvis was born.

John P. and Bobbie, the hostess at Elvis' house.

Elvis' first stove.

Photo by Bobbie.

Tupelo Hardware, where Elvis bought his first guitar (age 10).

We were standing around out front, as the store had just closed for the day, when this older fellow cracked open the door and said, "You guys following Elvis?" When we said yes, he invited us in and gave us a quick tour, telling us the whole story of Elvis' first guitar.

Howard Hite, at the counter; Tupelo Hardware.

Photo by Howard.

Mystery Train; Tupelo.

Finally, we left Tupelo and headed south, with a long drive ahead of us to New Orleans.

Mississippi Sunset.

Cat whose name I can't remember, at Drew's house, New Orleans.

Meow.

New Orleans in the morning.

Front door to the previous building.

Abandoned supermarket near Drew's place.

Saints!

Drew, up on the supermarket roof.

NOLA skyline.

After breakfast, we threw our stuff in the car and headed out--  I had a signing in Houston that evening...

Bayou Country.

We stopped for a late lunch in Lake Charles, and then drove off into the gathering rain.

Beautiful Domy Books in Houston, Texas.

Houston presentation.

After the signing we went out to dinner with our host, Tim, and headed over to the lovely space he shares with his gal Sam, and their cat Holliday.

Meow.

We crashed and slept well.  We had to get a fast start in the morning, as I had a signing in Austin early the next afternoon.

NEXT TIME: AUSTIN!

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Go to Part Eight