We decided to leave Route 66 and visit the home of rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues in Memphis, Tennessee. This was a long 285 mile drive through undulating countryside of mainly cattle ranches, woodland and small communities with large churches and gun shops. The journey wasn't boring though.

We started to see signs like the one above that told us we were going to 'share the road' with Amish buggies. After a few miles we encountered a horse drawn buggy being driven by an Amish couple, which seemed very weird on this fast moving freeway.

We were bewildered as we travelled through one town as every junction had a police cruiser parked up with its blue lights flashing and people parked at the roadside sitting in the back of their pickup trucks waving flags. It was only as we left the town when we saw over a hundred Vietnam veterans riding on motorbikes through the town led by a police escort. It was to mark the 50 years since the official start of the Vietnam war.

Crossing the Mississippi river into Memphis, Tennessee.

We walked to Downtown Memphis where we visited the Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum, which told the story of Memphis being the heart of American soul, R&B and rock music. The above picture is of an original 'bubbler' Wurlitzer.

Beale Street is the place to be in Memphis for the evening. The road gets closed off to traffic except for motorbikes, which all park up. The street is lined with restaurants and each has a different live band playing loud music.

This guy wanted to show off his matching motorbike, sneakers and helmet.

The street looks fantastic at night time with all of the bikes lined up and neon lights shining on them.