We decided to take our Australian visitors to Fallingwater for their first official sightseeing jaunt in the Pittsburgh area. Designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater has been called "the best all-time work of American architecture." It certainly is impressive, particularly when viewed from the vantage point in the photo above.
Sightseeing always works better when hunger is taken out of the equation, at least in our family. We started the day with classic American breakfast food, waffles and sausage. By the time we reached Fallingwater (about a ninety minute drive from Pittsburgh into the scenic Laurel Highlands), it was time for lunch. Following our mantra of "eat first, tour second," we stopped for a picnic lunch at the Fallingwater Barn.
With stomachs comfortably full, we made our way to the crowded Fallingwater grounds located on Bear Run. Our enthusiastic tour guide explained to us this unique house had been built for the Kaufmann family in 1936. Wright designed it to blend into its natural surroundings using two colors, ochre and his characteristic Cherokee red. The location over a waterfall led him to come up with a cantilever design, one that caused considerable conflict between the owners and their architect. The elder Kaufmanns, Edgar and Lilian, used it as their weekend home from 1937 to 1955, and their son retained it until 1963, at which point he entrusted it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
After our tour we felt it would be appropriate to take our visitors into one of Pennsylvania's forests (the state name means "Penn's woods" from the Latin word sylvania, or woodlands). We didn't make it very far, however. For one things there was some worry in our group about the possibility of encountering a bear (the area is called Bear Run for a reason). But more worrisome from my perspective was the abundance of poison ivy along the trail. None of us was properly geared up for hiking and our twelve-year-old had just recovered from an unpleasant encounter with the stuff.
By the time we had tried a couple of different trails and given up, it was close enough to the dinner hour to justify heading straight for Cracker Barrel, a restaurant that had caused great delight to one of our Aussie visitors the night before. There was much sampling of dishes such as "turnip greens," "hash brown casserole," "strawberry shortcake," and other items previously unknown to our guests. They also enjoyed the giant fireplace with the stuffed head of a deer and its antlers hanging above.
All in all, the day was declared a great success. Our eight-year-old son is still talking about Fallingwater this morning, calling it "a home beyond my wildest imagination." Both he and his older brother are certain that they would love to live there one day.
What a great day Christie. Food, friends and Frank L-W. What more could you want.
Posted by: David | 07/05/2015 at 07:20 AM
The visitors look relaxed & happy & WARM !! Love the pics & what a beautiful place for walking. love to all . marilyn.
Posted by: Marilyn Gooey | 07/05/2015 at 05:55 PM
Your photos are just so beautiful. I love the first one and the waffle one..the steam rising out of the waffle maker is pretty. So glad you are enjoying your friends!
Posted by: Shanda | 07/07/2015 at 09:20 AM
Thank you! I put that waffle picture in there just for you Shanda! I'm glad you saw it.
Posted by: Christie | 07/08/2015 at 04:19 AM