Yough Tree House 2

Kentuck Knob

Since Keith has always been interested in Frank Lloyd Wright's work, we ventured to one of his Usonian homes called Kentuck Knob. This journey was taken after we had checked out of the Yough Tree House. It took us (and Carrie & Jim) about 25 minutes from the Tree House to get to Kentuck Knob.

Upon our approach to the Visitors' Center, we noticed a giant apple in the yard. Peculiar. We walked into the Visitors' Center to buy our tickets ($20 each, ouch!). Immediately, someone yelled out, "Keith!" Surprisingly, it was someone who had worked at the theater in Disney when Keith was in BLAST! Her name was Lisa and she recognized Keith from ten years ago. She is now the curator at Kentuck Knob. Small world.

Shortly after that encounter our tour guide arrived to take us on a shuttle up the hill to the home. The tour of the home was neat with little tidbits about quirky Frank Lloyd Wright throughout. The home was built for the Hagans who owned ice cream shoppes. After the Hagans needed to be closer to hospital care in nearby Uniontown, the home was bought by the Palumbos of England. The home was built entirely on a hexagonal pattern and had some very skinny hallways. Wright's compression-and-release designs were see in the ceilings and made the home feel cozy but open. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the home, since it is still privately owned, but we got some nice outdoor shots and plenty of the "Sculpture Meadow."

The back patio with metal structured windchimes

A spindle of one of the sculptures

Hanging out in the one of the sculpturesThe panoramic view from the "knob"

Yough Tree House 1

The adventures continue as six friends traveled to the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania for the weekend. This journey will have to be blogged in multiple parts since there are quite a few stories to tell.

Our research lead us to this beautiful cabin adjacent to the Youghiogheny Dam on the Youghiogheny River affectionately called the Yough (pronounced: yauk) Tree House. Cortney & Nick arrived first and were nervous to enter an unlocked home in the middle of nowhere... but it was the right place. Carrie & Jim arrived shortly after and made the house more full. Keith & Julie showed up later after a longer drive and a stop at St. Joan of Arc for fish fry sandwiches. It was still light out so the scenery was a priority to take in.

The first night included hanging out in the hot tub, playing Wii games and a round of Uno.

Our second day was casual and relaxing starting with breakfast, a drive to Ohiopyle, hiking, scenic outlook, yummy lunch, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, a bike ridealong the Great Allegheny Passage for Keith, more hot tub time, Jim's Chili for dinner, birthday cake for the Cooks and more evening shenanigans.

The last day went too quickly. A few more "Happy Anni-birthdays" were sung before the Cooks got on the road. Once were all packed and loaded, a short drive took us to theFrank Lloyd Wright designed Usonion home, Kentuck Knob. What an experience! What a trip! More to come...

To the Moon and Beyond!

A beautiful afternoon and time between CCHS winterguard performances lead these two young adventurers to embark on a "giant leap for mankind" at the Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio this past weekend. Inside, we saw moon rocks, Neil Armstrong history, a short film (soundtrack: "Moonlight Sonata"), memorabilia, and Ohio astronauts' bios.

Mr. Armstrong's journeys inspired us so much that we couldn't help but to add to our vehicle collection. No, not a aviation vehicle... a proper bicycle for Julie. Now, we can hit trails together or quickly get to the grocery store. With Keith's plan to ride the Great Allegheny Passage (www.atatrail.org) may suggest that there will be some team training. Yummy meals at Northstar Cafe followed all the weekend's adventures.