Hubby and I rode to Memphis, Tennessee, which took about three hours.
I had a runny nose, and I sneezed the whole trip.
We stopped at Walgreens in Corinth, MS, and bought some Flonase Nasal Spray recommended by the Pharmacist.
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Bass Pro Shop |
Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid on Bass Pro Drive in Memphis was our first stop.
Once inside, we saw a sign that said, "Welcome to Paradise"! A sportsman paradise!
Swimming in the water below us, we could see schools of a variety of fish and swamp-covered trees everywhere.
We stopped to see the alligators; they were behind glass walls, and they were staring at us.
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Swamp Covered Trees & Elevator |
We saw a 27-foot elevator that was lit up with red, green, and blue lights.
We paid ten dollars to ride the elevator to the top while listening to a pre-recording about the store and catching a big fish.
We exited the elevator into a restaurant, where we were greeted by a hostess. She asked us if we wanted to eat at the restaurant or if we just wanted to take the breathtaking view of Memphis.
We said we just wanted to walk out onto the balcony and see the view below.
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View from Balcony |
Once outside, we could see downtown Memphis, the roaring Mississippi River, Mud Island, The Memphis & Arkansas Bridge, and the train bridge. There was another balcony with a view of the Mississippi River, houses, apartments, and piers.
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View from Balcony |
We visited the Ducks Limited Museum, where we saw a variety of guns, ducks, trophies, etc.
We saw the Big Cedar Lodge, wildlife creations, taxidermy, & aquarium full of fish.
The smell of cinnamon-glazed roasting pecans, cashews, and almonds filled the air.
Our next stop was the Pink Palace Museum.
You can visit the Museum on Tuesdays at 1PM for free.
Hubby and I walked up the grand staircase to the third floor to see the animatronic dinosaurs exhibit.
This was a great area for children to touch models of dinosaurs' claws, bones, and teeth, play with rubbing stamps, and watch a video.
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Dinosaurs |
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Dinosaurs |
We saw the first Americans, the History of Memphis, log Cabins, slavery, the Civil War, the first automated grocery store (Piggly Wiggly), Yellow Fever, from saddlebags to science, Clyde Parke's Miniature Circus, cotton and Thomas Harwell's mummy casket.
It was after 2PM, and we were hungry, so we rode to Joe's Crab Shack.
Hubby ordered the Crab Legs bucket, and I ordered fish and chips we both ordered water with lemon to drink.
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Fish & Chips at Joe's Crab Shack Memphis |
In Memphis, we also rode past several old historic homes, & the Liberty Stadium.
Around 3PM, we started for home, arriving around 6:30PM.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for protecting and conserving our country's wild birds, mammals, and fish for the enjoyment of all people. Cooperating with the states and other countries, the Fish and Wildlife Service carries out several programs to preserve our priceless wildlife heritage.
Refuges
Migratory Birds
Fisheries
Federal Aid
Law Enforcement
Ecological Services
U. S. Department of the Interior
Established in 1938, Wheeler Wild Life Refuge protects and manages 35,000 acres of wetlands and forests for wildlife and provides a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors.
Waterfowl and wildlife
Each fall, thousands of migratory waterfowl, including 26 species of ducks and four species of geese, arrive at the refuge to overwinter. Sandhill cranes, numbering in the thousands, also winter here.
More than 500 species of wildlife, including songbirds, wading birds, hawks, deer, turtles, and snakes, inhabit the refuge. Twelve of these species are federally listed as threatened or endangered.
Habitat
Wheeler Wild Life Refuge is comprised of diverse habitat types, including bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, pine uplands, shoreline or riparian woodlands, agricultural fields, and backwater embayments. These habitats provide excellent feeding, resting, and roosting sites for wintering waterfowl and Sandhill cranes, as well as nesting sites for migratory songbirds and many species of resident wildlife.
Wildlife Management
Several thousand acres of cropland are cultivated by local farmers on a share agreement. During harvest, a portion of the crop is left in the field as a food source for waterfowl and other wildlife. Each fall, the refuge provides green browse for wintering geese by planting wheat.
Water control structures are used in wet areas to change water levels in a controlled manner. This type of management provides food for waterfowl by encouraging the growth of native plants in moist areas.
Refuge Lands Within Redstone Arsenal
Highways
Secondary Roads
Refuge Boundary
Visitor Center
Wildlife Observation
Boating
Flint Creek Environmental Area & Universally Accessible Fishing Pier
Recreational Opportunity
The Visitor Center offers wildlife exhibits, a gift shop, a large auditorium, two walking trails, special events, and refuge information.
The Wildlife Observation Building, located a short walk from the Visitor Center, offers a unique setting for viewing wildlife. December through February, when large concentrations of waterfowl and Sandhill cranes are in the area, is a good time for viewing, especially just before sunset.
Fishing is a very popular activity on the refuge. Six improved boat launch areas provide access to miles of water in Wheeler Reservoir and adjacent creeks where bass, crappie, bream, and catfish are often caught.
Hunting for deer, squirrel, rabbit, opossum, raccoon, feral hog, and quail is allowed on Wheeler NWR. Special regulations apply, and a refuge hunting permit is required. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on the refuge.
Wildlife Photography is encouraged on the refuge. There is one fully enclosed, permanent bend near the observation pond that may be reserved for a special use permit.
Environmental Education/Interpretation is a very important program at Wheeler NWR. Organized groups may reserve dates for presentations, wildlife tours, and outdoor classroom activities.
Nature Trails, ranging in lengths from 200 yards to 3 miles, provide opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife. Maps and additional information may be obtained at the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is open daily, October through February, 9AM-5PM. From March through September, the hours are 9-4PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone:256-350-6639
Website: www.fws.gov/wheeler