Is without a doubt Frank Lloyd Wright's house, Falling Waters. It's the perfect harmony of Humankind and Nature. It grows out of the dirt and rock of the mountain and gracefully crosses a swift running creek. I could go on....
I've also visited the Woodrow Wilson National Historic Site featuring his birthplace and library, the Old Mill living history farm and the Museum of the Cherokee. Much driving later, I'm in New Paltz, New York, poised to visit all sorts of places up along the Hudson.
Surprisingly, there are numerous places to camp. Until now, they've been few and far from the highway. The "rig" lost the support bar for the propane tank in a parking lot. I'm thinking I'll sell it in NY on the way back to Florida. Many storms, but fairly warm weather. Listened to Lisa Scottolini's Lady Killer--she has great sense of humor and looked like the best available offering at Cracker Barrel. Reading Cold Case by Kate Wilhelm.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
An Easter Surprise
Picture it. Easter Sunday afternoon. The Laurel Hill area of North Carolina. Two Frank Lloyd Wright houses are open for tours!!! Can you believe...
The first home is called Kentuck Knob. It was built when Wright was in his 80s. It is small and sits on top of a small hill in the forest. Typically, it has low ceilings, cantilevered areas and goes from large areas open to the outdoors to small tight halls. The furniture and built-ins are all in cypress. Flagstone floors are throughout the home.
I'd just taken a tour and was waiting for the bus to take us back to the office. It was breezy and overcast. When the bus pulled up, I walked over the gravel drive to wait for the passengers to disembark. The side door of the bus opens and out jumps my former co-worker of 25 years: Abby Connor! Imagine my surprisr: 800 miles from Tampa on an improbable day for public tours. Just goes to show how small the world is.
The first home is called Kentuck Knob. It was built when Wright was in his 80s. It is small and sits on top of a small hill in the forest. Typically, it has low ceilings, cantilevered areas and goes from large areas open to the outdoors to small tight halls. The furniture and built-ins are all in cypress. Flagstone floors are throughout the home.
I'd just taken a tour and was waiting for the bus to take us back to the office. It was breezy and overcast. When the bus pulled up, I walked over the gravel drive to wait for the passengers to disembark. The side door of the bus opens and out jumps my former co-worker of 25 years: Abby Connor! Imagine my surprisr: 800 miles from Tampa on an improbable day for public tours. Just goes to show how small the world is.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Sunday
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. The alignment went out on the camper and I had to spend four days stranded in Hagertown, MD. Missed all those tornados tho. Although it's advertised all over, even the McDonald's there can't reach a Wi-Fi connection. Read boring with a capital B.
Since I've re-routed, I decided to get a Frank Lloyd Wright fix at Falling Waters. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I've ever seen...tho only in pictures. Can't wait to get there. After that, it's on to Johnstown, sight of the great flood.The Shenandoah Mountains are lovely. Scenery, tho, doesn't make up for a lack of companionship. Wish you all were here with me.
No luck with the camera, so I'm going to try the cell phone and post the photos elsewhere I guess. Isabelle, tulip photos are coming. I need a techie!! Aaron and Prestin, that would be you. Hugs, Happy Pesach, Happy Easter.
Since I've re-routed, I decided to get a Frank Lloyd Wright fix at Falling Waters. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I've ever seen...tho only in pictures. Can't wait to get there. After that, it's on to Johnstown, sight of the great flood.The Shenandoah Mountains are lovely. Scenery, tho, doesn't make up for a lack of companionship. Wish you all were here with me.
No luck with the camera, so I'm going to try the cell phone and post the photos elsewhere I guess. Isabelle, tulip photos are coming. I need a techie!! Aaron and Prestin, that would be you. Hugs, Happy Pesach, Happy Easter.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Soul in Repose
Asheville. Tucked away in the rolling green mountains of North Carolina. Can it get more beautiful than this? Dogwood, cherry, azalea trees in full bloom. On the Biltmore grounds, tulips, daffodils and blue crocus are flowering. The weather is pleasant during the day and cool at night.
I've stopped here for a few days of respite from the road. People plans keep falling through for a variety of reasons. I'd very much hoped to see stepson Mark Kevin in Pittsburg. I was also looking forward to an autoharp class at the John Campbell School. Maybe one of the lessons I am to learn on this journey is about disappointment.
Milledgeville had several tourist attractions recognizing native son Joel Chandler Harris. Uncle Remus is alive and well there. The O'Connor house was pretty dilapidated, but informative and revealing. However, Alice Walker, one of our generation's premier writers, born in Millidgeville, was recognized with only a display in the public library. Then I got lost in Athens.
So on to NC. Carl Sandburg's house in Flat Rock was the first stop. It sits on top of a hill overlooking a small pond. It's disarmingly plain, but statuesque. Bob Dylan visited with Sandburg on the porch there. I did not know that the great poet loved playing the guitar and singing Woody Guthrie songs. A refresher couse is in my future.
Today was a visit to the Thomas Wolfe National Historic Site. It's nice to match the places and characters with the writer's experience.
And, of course, lots of time was spent at Biltmore. What can one say about it? Opulent, exquisite, worth the budgets of several countries put together. The building is breath-taking, but the grounds are utterly stunning. Windy two lane roads course through the forest. A creek runs alongside the road, crossed by several stone bridges. The estate used to own what is now the Pigsah National Forest. I have to read the camera manual again so you can see pictures.
So, time to regroup, redirect and rest. Listened to The Anglo-Saxon World and am reading Plum Island by DeMille. If the storms aren't too bad tomorrow, I may head up the Blue Ridge Parkway. There's a Cherokee Living History Museum in Cherokee...
I've stopped here for a few days of respite from the road. People plans keep falling through for a variety of reasons. I'd very much hoped to see stepson Mark Kevin in Pittsburg. I was also looking forward to an autoharp class at the John Campbell School. Maybe one of the lessons I am to learn on this journey is about disappointment.
Milledgeville had several tourist attractions recognizing native son Joel Chandler Harris. Uncle Remus is alive and well there. The O'Connor house was pretty dilapidated, but informative and revealing. However, Alice Walker, one of our generation's premier writers, born in Millidgeville, was recognized with only a display in the public library. Then I got lost in Athens.
So on to NC. Carl Sandburg's house in Flat Rock was the first stop. It sits on top of a hill overlooking a small pond. It's disarmingly plain, but statuesque. Bob Dylan visited with Sandburg on the porch there. I did not know that the great poet loved playing the guitar and singing Woody Guthrie songs. A refresher couse is in my future.
Today was a visit to the Thomas Wolfe National Historic Site. It's nice to match the places and characters with the writer's experience.
And, of course, lots of time was spent at Biltmore. What can one say about it? Opulent, exquisite, worth the budgets of several countries put together. The building is breath-taking, but the grounds are utterly stunning. Windy two lane roads course through the forest. A creek runs alongside the road, crossed by several stone bridges. The estate used to own what is now the Pigsah National Forest. I have to read the camera manual again so you can see pictures.
So, time to regroup, redirect and rest. Listened to The Anglo-Saxon World and am reading Plum Island by DeMille. If the storms aren't too bad tomorrow, I may head up the Blue Ridge Parkway. There's a Cherokee Living History Museum in Cherokee...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Ambling in Georgia
The countryside in GA is truly lovely. Two lane hilly roads crisscross the east and west sides, spreading out from I75. Rusty satin dirt peeks out of the mountains that have been cut open to allow access. A palate of green grasses and trees merges with the sky. Norwegian pine, scrub trees and a few live oak stand together, swaying. And suddenly, there's a burst of flowers. Dogwood! I thought I'd have to wait till I got to the Carolinas to see it! Glorious, glorious.
In some places, prefab (read mobile) homes are tucked back in the forest. But east of Macon, log and brick abound. Each little town has a gas station, a cafe and a church. Yes, your soul is truly safe in Georgia. Maranatha, Missionary Baptist, True Pentecostal: all are waiting in the woods for you. This is fishing country. Many sparkling ponds abut the road. People pull their boats up and down the hills, seeming to know of special secret spots to visit.
Yesterday was in Thomasville. It's a small place, just over the border from Tallahassee. It began as a winter haven for the Yankee rich. Like Newport, people built "cottages" that have been preserved and renovated. A drive down Dawson Street reminds me of New Orleans. The history center tells you about tourist roots and about families that have been there for generations. A model of southern grace and charm...
The camper is running well. Another GA attraction is low gas prices. After several nights in campgrounds, though, I've landed at the Budget Inn at Milledgeville. Listened to A History of the Celts and am finishing reading Andrew Gross's mystery, The Dark Tide. Tomorrow brings a trip to the old Georgia State Capitol and the home of Flannery O'Connor. I wonder if there is an Indian restaurant in Millidgeville....
In some places, prefab (read mobile) homes are tucked back in the forest. But east of Macon, log and brick abound. Each little town has a gas station, a cafe and a church. Yes, your soul is truly safe in Georgia. Maranatha, Missionary Baptist, True Pentecostal: all are waiting in the woods for you. This is fishing country. Many sparkling ponds abut the road. People pull their boats up and down the hills, seeming to know of special secret spots to visit.
Yesterday was in Thomasville. It's a small place, just over the border from Tallahassee. It began as a winter haven for the Yankee rich. Like Newport, people built "cottages" that have been preserved and renovated. A drive down Dawson Street reminds me of New Orleans. The history center tells you about tourist roots and about families that have been there for generations. A model of southern grace and charm...
The camper is running well. Another GA attraction is low gas prices. After several nights in campgrounds, though, I've landed at the Budget Inn at Milledgeville. Listened to A History of the Celts and am finishing reading Andrew Gross's mystery, The Dark Tide. Tomorrow brings a trip to the old Georgia State Capitol and the home of Flannery O'Connor. I wonder if there is an Indian restaurant in Millidgeville....
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