Elizabeth and Gary's Magic Bus Tour: River Crossings

After a nice stay in Cody, it was time to continue our trek east across the midsection of the country. This, of course, means crossing all those important rivers that assist with transportation, water, etc. Fortunately for us, these crossings are much easier today than they were for those moving west. First was the Missouri, where we also camped for an evening --

Crossing the Missouri River.

Then, the Mighty Mississippi. Don't know why - but, I still love it when we cross or drive along the Mississippi. Guess there is just a lot of folklore attached to it. Anyway, we camped on its shores for a night - which was, without a doubt, one of the scariest nights we have spent in Magic. MAJOR STORM - felt like it was going to carry us away!! The lightening was so continuous that the sky was BRIGHT WHITE for almost an hour. AND - the winds were horrendous! Blew one camper off its leveling blocks. Fortunately, all was good for us and we woke to a beautiful morning in a wonderful county CG on Goose Island --

Parked along the Mississippi.

After a very scary storm.. a beautiful morning

At one point during the night it seemed like we might need these to get off of the island.

One more river - The Wisconsin - on our way to meet up with the Stinson's in Spring Green, WI. Why Spring Green?? It is THE home of Frank Lloyd Wright - Taliesin - which we toured and thoroughly enjoyed and some good golf!

View from out spot on the Wisconsin River.

Golfing in Spring Green, WI.

E especially liked the golf course! No - no hole in one. BUT, a VERY long putt that gave her a par on a VERY long par 5;-)!! Yee haw - lets go celebrate with a VERY strong John Daly (so strong it had to be shared!)--

Post game recovery beverage.

Taliesin was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Spring Green area on 600 acres that originally belonged to Wright's maternal family. The house was completed in 1911, though it endured two fires after that with subsequent rebuilds. Beginning in 1924, Wright spent most of his time here for the rest of his life, although winters were spent at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ after its completion in 1937.

Taliesin is typical FLW - building in a flat, prairie style into the landscape. In this case, it is built around the hill it sits on. He felt that to build it on top of the hill would detract from the hill and the surrounding area. So - it is built around the hill - as you can see when you stand on the top of the hill in the middle of the house!

With Jim and Linda touring Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Spring Green, WI.

Here is the top of the hill - around which the FLW home is constructed.

View of the house from the top of the hill.

Stunning views from the top of the hill away from the house.

Unfortunately, we also 'took in' the other site in the area - House on the Rock, built by Alex Jordan and opened in 1959 to 'show up' FLW and to display his various collections (aka JUNK)!! If you are ever in the area, spend your time enjoying the FLW buildings and don't waste your time here unless you LIKE junk - and dust/filth, as nothing here has been cleaned or dusted since installed in 1959! Oh yes, and it all feels like you are in a cave and captive with no way out;-)

Note the thick dust on the display. The entire House on the Rock was a dark, unkempt, claustrophobic, nightmarish facility that we couldn't wait to escape.

Do you get the message that we REALLY disliked this place! Especially since we paid $55 for this torture;-)

Well - another day and a drive to Madison to see another FLW design - their convention center, Monona Terrace. (No pics as it was pouring down rain and the only shot was from across the bay.) What else is there to do when it is pouring but EAT. So - we were off to find a nice lunch, which we found just a couple of blocks from the Capitol at Papavero's --

What a find! The Osteria Papavero in Madison, WI. Felt like we were back in Northern Italy.

Once again, after a fun couple of days of eating, visiting, golfing and enjoying time with Jim and Linda - it was time to move on. AND - move we did. No stops --