To get to Memphis for the Mississippi River Cruise for 2pm, we left early after breakfast towards Tennessee again! Wow, how big is the US where you criss-cross the same states in all directions.
The cruise was 2 hours long and it was very nice. The Mississippi River is the 2nd longest river in US. At 2,350 miles it flows from the glacial lake Ithasca in Minnesota to where it drains into the Atlantic at New Orleans. The first longest river Missouri is only a 100 miles longer. While you shouldn’t swan dive into the Mississippi River, you can explore the river on canoe or kayak. The river is signature brown and not too appealing to swim in. Although it is shallow the river moves very fast and it is best to only paddle in designated launch areas.
There is a nice Bass Pro Sports shop shaped like a Pyramid, at the cruise river walk and it is nice to spend a few hours browsing through the shop.
This is one of the most dynamic and immersive retail experiences in the world. It’s more than a store; it’s an adventure! In addition to an incredible assortment of fishing, boating, hunting and outdoor gear, the mega store includes a 103-room hotel with treehouse cabins (see Big Cypress Lodge below); 600,000 gallons of water teeming with over 1,800 fish; a cypress swamp with alligator pools and duck aviaries; and a breathtaking observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel pyramid.
It has it’s own shooting range, Ducks and Waterfowl Heritage Center, A live duck aviary with 4 ponds for wood duck, black duck, mallards, pintails and green winged teal and a bowling alley.
Some of Tennessee’s most majestic wildlife can be enjoyed from right inside the pyramid. The in-store swamp showcases alligators and 36 varieties of fish, all surrounded by cypress trees up to 100 feet tall.
Practice your sharp shooting at a 25-yard live pistol and archery range. Equipment can be rented or guests may bring their own – but guests are not permitted to bring their own ammo and firearms must be checked in at store entry.
Take a ride 28 stories to the top of the Pyramid on America’s tallest free-standing elevator. Once at the top, check out the awesome 360-views of Memphis and the Mississippi River on the outdoor observation deck (patterned after the Grand Canyon skywalk). Rides cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids before 4 p.m. Big Cypress Lodge guests can ride for free.
Bowling at the Pyramid
Where else will you find 13 lanes of aquatic-themed bowling if not inside Memphis’ Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid? Alligator eyes and other “creature features” decorate the bowling balls and shimmering, cool lights make you feel like you’re floating under the river’s surface as you play.
We should have come earlier and I wouldn’t mind a game of bowling.
We returned to our campsite and I promised a real life scenario of a private mortgage exit. Two sister’s decided to buy a home together. One had a full time job at Magna International and the other had her own call center business operating as a sole proprietor from home. They could not qualify for a mortgage because of this and they purchased the home using private funds. When it came time to renew their accountant recommended my services. I was able to get them out of the expensive loan by strategically presenting a stable income situation, backing up the presentation with bank statements, invoices and income statements prepared by her accountant and filed with CRA. These are the happy endings that keep me doing what I do!
We head to Texas tomorrow… See you then
