Falling Water

 A Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, often called the "best work of American architecture,"  built over a waterfall!  I was afraid we were not going to see this, as it was in the plan yesterday, until we discovered there are two towns by the name of Mill Run, and we were near the wrong one!  Clem was ready to move on, and get out of Pennsylvania , but I think he realized how disappointed I was, and he called to see if they could accommodate an RV on the roads going there and to park, so purchased tickets, which you must do in advance, and we altered the route to go by today.  I was astounded at the number of visitors!  Groups of 10 or 12 go out every 15 minutes or so, all day, and in depth tours were sold out a month ago, though we found the 90 minute tour very good and quite satisfactory.    No photos inside the house, unfortunately.   It is bright and widow filled, and the story of its construction as a second home for the Kauffmans of Pittsburgh who once ran one of the largest department stores in the country, was very interesting.  Budgeted at 20-30 thousand dollars, it came in at $155,000 in the 30's. Wright had many of his own ideas about things, and dictated much of the construction, which Kauffman's engineers deemed unsound, with the cantilevered balconies.  They have been reinforced in recent years.  

The stairway you see here leads down out of the main living area by way of something similar to a glass hatch in a boat to the stream and stream fed swimming pool.  The small square windows on the corners actually open, and leave no "corner."  The house also contained several original works of art by the likes of Picasso and  Diego.  

This is a view from a nature trail above.  The house is cantilevered amazingly to hang over with no visible support.  Floors are polished stone, and in some areas, the hillside stone has been incorporated into the design.  Organic Architecture to be sure!