We will continue to pray for the family of Petty Officer Zane Stotesbury and remember him even as we return to the continuing adventures of Mother Goose and her husband in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Thank you for your kind and gracious comments — he was a good friend to my sons and a very fine young sailor.
“Every time I come back here it is with the feeling there is nothing anywhere better than this.”
–Frank Lloyd Wright
‘Twas the rolling hills and valleys, the broad sun-washed fields and clear rivers, the rocky outcroppings and the trees full of birdsongs belonging uniquely to southwest Wisconsin which inspired the creative mind of Frank Lloyd Wright. This prairie landscape was the place of his upbringing, the land of his family — they came to America from Wales and settled on this part of the earth because it reminded them of home.
The Gooses visited the area surrounding Spring Green last year at this time, and immensely enjoyed the tour of Mr. Wright’s home, Taliesin. Of course, tours are obligatory, and this year we opted for the Hillside Studio and Theater tour. It was beautiful beyond our wildest imaginings… and we do have wild imaginings, by the way. Here are a few pictures from outside the buildings — photos are not allowed inside the studio, school or theater. Mother Goose scribbled copious notes along the way describing the interior design and history.
The original Hillside School was owned and managed by Mr. Wright’s spinster aunts. They were delighted to give their beloved nephew his first independent architectural design project.
This cascading stairway up to the studio reminds Mother Goose of a waterfall.
In the distance, please tell me you see “Romeo and Juliet” the wondrous and miraculous windmill, Mr. Wright designed for the property. They said it’d never stand for 365 days — that was more than a hundred years ago…
The apprentice studio where even TODAY young (and old) architects learn and work the trade of the master. The saying over the interior entrance reads, “WHAT A MAN DOES THAT HE HAS” and ‘that’ is in red letters. A good inspirational thought whether you are hunched over your drafting board or a laptop.
Exterior shot of Husband Goose with Tour Guide Peggy and Mr. Wright’s jewel of a theater. Trust me — with natural air conditioning and perfect acoustics, it’s absolutely gorgeous inside…
Barn swallows love Frank Lloyd Wright too.
After our breathtaking tour, we rested and recovered and revived inside the clubhouse at The House on the Rock Resort. They have a charming golf course, well-manicured greens and delicious Bloody Marys. We wondered and pondered what we should do next…
Husband Goose pondering our next event…he’s such a character.
At this point, many people would choose to visit The House on the Rock. This is an iconic tourist destination — a cross between Elvis’ Graceland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, The Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Canyon.
With divine wisdom bestowed upon us, we decided on a picnic on the shores of the Wisconsin River. It was a tasty combination of fresh Wisconsin cheese curds, smoked braunschweiger, crackers and white wine, accompanied by the soft and soothing sounds of the swallows overhead and the river before us.
A relaxing and happy time for the Gooses.
Mother Goose Smiles 