At the Abby of the Genesee

Pages From a Naturalist's Notebook

Where's Jimmy

Recently my good friend James made the pilgrimage to Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ and was kind enough to send me these wonderful images.  Unquestionably my favorite Frank Lloyd Wright architectural wonder.  I have not yet seen Fallingwater so until that time I hold Taliesin West as the most pure example of a series of structures so in sync with the surrounding natural environment that they look like architectural seeds had been tossed over the raw desert landscape and the buildings sprouted fully formed from the desert floor.  At times it is hard to distinguish where the landscape ends and the buildings begin as was Mr. Wright's intent with the masterful use of field stone, timber, concrete and color.  Such strikingly pure simplicity of design and construction is today rarely seen.  The only other building that I have visited that also possesses such as strong sense of place for different design reasons is Jefferson's Monticello.

Brother James

Along for the Ride

Dennis Hopper in New Mexico, back in the 70's
Came across the documentary "Along for the Ride on Hulu the other day.
Amazing film about Hopper's creative journeys as seen through the eyes of his Right Hand Man, Satya de la Manitou.

Shuffle Off To Buffalo

In Buffalo this Thanksgiving with family to see my Son Avery perform in Hamilton at the Shea's Performing Arts Center.  An amazing evening for all.

Heading Up Twin Sisters Peaks

                                   
 

Looking up at the summits from the lower trail

Perfect day this past Tuesday to be up in the high country.  Amazing trees just before you break out onto the summit trail

Finding a Treasure in Rocky Mountain National Park

Took a ride up to Rocky Mountain National Park today.  Stopped at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Park HQ.  Never been there before, always entered the Park from the Fall River entrance.  I was amazed by the Visitor Center building.  No doubt about it a Frank Lloyd Wright design sensibility.  Looked it up later on Wikipedia and found out that it was designed by the Taliesin Associated Architects.  Blended completely into the surroundings and had amazing detail, and use of natural materials.  A great discovery.