American as Baseball and Frank Lloyd Wright?

[LongWays]

For the second year running my uncle (R1150RT) and I (R1100GS), set off in search of baseball and Frank Lloyd Wright (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright) in America - this time down the West Coast. First stop was just down the road in Seattle and Safeco field to see the mighty Yankees defeat the hapless Mariners - well at least that's the way it was supposed to go. Damn you Ichiro!
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/safecopatio_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/safecoday_640.jpg

The next morning saw us sent off in style by throngs of well wishers.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/banner1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/banner2_640.jpg

It was cold and foggy most of the way down the coast (didn't really clear up until San Luis Obispo),
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/manzanita_640.jpg

but we managed to get a few shots along the way.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/ianphoto1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/brianphoto1_640.jpg

Welcoming Comittee in California - guess those Northern Winters proved too cold for Paul
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/paulbunyon_640.jpg

Next stop San Francisco...

[LongWays]

I could live in the Bay Area with out much persuading - just as long as I had the roads of Skyline Drive on my commute. Didn't seem to matter which way we were headed but a ride along that ridge became manditory,
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/summitroad_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/rte35overlook_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/ca84_640.jpg

There are a number of Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks around San Francisco, the first one we came across was the Morris Gift Shop, just off Union Square. Its an Art Gallery now and not open Sundays, peaking in through the windows you could certainly see a style that he would return to at the Guggenheim in NYC.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/morrisgiftfar_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sfwright2_640.jpg

We then went in search of Frank's houses. Some were easy to see, with the owners actually allowing two obviously crazed motorcyling Frank freaks onto their property.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/flwsfb1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/flwsfb1_1_640.jpg

Others were a little tougher to see. Can you see it? Me neither!
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/flwatherton_640.jpg

The piece de resistance is the Hanna House in Palo Alto. It has only been recently reopened for public tours after extensive and expensive repairs from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse1_640.jpg

Did you see that No Trespassing sign on the driveway? Me Neither!
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse3_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse4_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse6_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hannahouse5_640.jpg

[LongWays]

There was more than just senseless trespassing to be done - a little shopping.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/bmwsc_640.jpg

Visiting Greg Hutchinson in the "cave" to see just what sort of magic he can perform on a G/S.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/greghgsandmotor_640.jpg

A test ride for a very interested potential customer
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/beasttestride_640.jpg

And baseball by the Bay.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/attpark1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/attaprk2_640.jpg

Barry didn't hit one into McCovey Cove, but he did get a shot that landed just shy of the 421 ft marker then bounced into the stands for a ground rule double
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/attwall_640.jpg

As a devout New York Yankee fan, we headed over to Oakland to cheer on the home team as they spanked the lowly Boston Red Sox.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mcafeeapproach_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/oakland_640.jpg

We headed out of Frisco to Marin County
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/goldengate_640.jpg

And the Civic Center - Franks last commission.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc3_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc4_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc5_650.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/mmcc6_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/marincountyatrium_640.jpg

And then up to the top of a hill in San Anselmo to check out a house that Frank never actually saw.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sananselmofrank_640.jpg

Next stop Sebastopol and onto Sacramento

[LongWays]

Originally we were going to head up into the Sierras so a night in Sacramento made sense, but ever changing plans erased the mountains from our map but for some reason not the state capital of California. Stopped by the studio of Patrick and Brigitte (http://www.patrickamiot-brigittelaurent.com/) on the coolest street in Sebastopol - if not all of California.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sebastopolstreet_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/seabastopoldragon_640.jpg

Onto Sacramento and Raley Field for some AAA baseball.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/raleyfield1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/raleyfieldnight_64.jpg

Back to the coast and points South along a thoroughly enjoyable levee road following the Sacramento River.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/twistyleveeroad.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/ca160_640.jpg

A good samaritan stop along the ride to call in a 911 report of a tipped houseboat in the river.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/houseboat911_640.jpg

To the Coast...

[LongWays]

Again it was cold, foggy and a lot farther than it looks on the map.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/moterreyride_640.jpg

Once we managed to find our way into Carmel
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/CarmelCircles.jpg

the Walker House was easily located as its the only one on the ocean side of Scenic Road.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/WalkerHouse640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/WalkerHouseSite2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/WalkerHouseBeach_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/walkerhousegate_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/WalkerHouseBeach2_640.jpg

Without any more navigational issues we easily found our way back to Highway 1 and headed South.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/BigSur640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/bixbybridge1_640.jpg

Where it finally cleared and warmed up.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sansimeonflowers_640.jpg

A quick stop in San Luis Obispo to check out the Kundert Medical Clinic
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/kundert1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/kundert2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Kundert3_640.jpg

Then onto Los Angeles...

[LongWays]

While there is a ton of Lloyd Wright in L.A., another Frank is also well represented with some important buildings in the area: Frank Gehry.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/gehryonMain640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Venicehouse2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/GehryHouse1978.jpg

And of course Disney Hall.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/disney_640.jpg

But back to the first Frank. The Freeman House is perched above Hollywood Blvd
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/freemanhouse1_640.jpg

And looks like its about to slide off the hill.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/FreemanHopuse640.jpg

The Ennis House too is in disrepair from earthquake and flood damage
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Innis_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/ennishousewall_640.jpg

but it is under going extensive and expensive repairs.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/ennishousegate_640.jpg

The Storer House has recently been fully restored.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/StorerHouse640.jpg

But not all that accessible.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/storer_640.jpg

The Sturges House has some interesting engineering going on
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Sturgeshouse640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sturgeshouse2_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sturgeshouse3_640.jpg

The Hollyhock House was donated to the city as a tax dodge for the original owner
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Hollyhock640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/hollyhockbrick_640.jpg

Frank even has a place on Rodeo Drive!
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/rodeodrive_640.jpg

Anderton Court Shops
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/rodeodriveFrank_640.jpg

And Mulholland Drive.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/oboler1_640.jpg

Dodger Stadium would be a lot nicer if wasn't in the middle of a parking lot -
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/dodgerstadium_640.jpg

and anywhere other than L.A. With the heat and smog I couldn't get out of there quick enough and on the road to San Diego.

[username]

i give this ride report a score of 11 out of 10!

:clap

[LongWays]

We finally got out of L.A.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/lasmog_640.jpg

And headed South towards San Diego.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/sandiegocauseway.jpg

On the way a stops at the Wayfayers Chapel designed by one of Frank's sons,
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/wayfarers1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/wayfarers2_640.jpg

the Salk Institute for some edumacating,
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/SalkInstitute640.jpg

and finally Wayne at Motoport/Cylceport who really gave us an education on Kevlar and its use in riding gear - Kevlar Mesh jacket and pants ordered and sized.

In San Diego Petco Park was found to be one of the best ball park experiences we have had yet, and equally disappointed that we didn't have more time to spend here.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/petcopark_640.jpg

Up early the next morning to beat the heat of the desert on the way to Phoenix...

[LongWays]

So up first thing in the morning, gassed and gone by 5:30AM. Once the sun got to that place on the horizon where it goes when it wants to be really annoying, we stopped for breakfast. We might have done better but with the sun in your eyes...
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/dsertbfast_640.jpg

It was then off through the bugs and into the Valley of the Sun.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/phoenix_640.jpg

Phoenix was Frank's retreat from the harsh Wisconsin winters, and there is no lack of landmarks showing his passing. Whether or not the Biltmore is or is not an actual Frank may be a point of discussion but it was primarly influenced by his textured cement block work in L.A, he was employed on the project as a consultant, and his firm has been retained throughout the buildings history whenever addions or renovations were made. He also has 3 cocktails and 1 martini named in his honor in the lobby bar.:drink
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/biltmore1_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/biltmore2_640.jpg

The Lykes House was designed just before Franks death and construction was completed in the late 60's.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/lykeshouse1_640.jpg

The Price House.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/pricehouse_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/PriceHouse640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/pricehousegates_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/pricehouse2_640.jpg

Hey what the hell is that on the patio?
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/plasticchairs_640.jpg

There is something that is just not right about baseball being played inside - and really not right if that inside is air-conditioned - and I'm still calling this place the B.O.B.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/chasefieldfacade_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/chasefield_640.jpg

Nothing left but Taliesen West...

[kbasa]

:clap


:lurk

[PacWestGS]

Very Nice. Spectacular photography and a great story, oops tour... :D

Looks like you had fun, the way it should be... :wave

[ian408]

Nice tour! Thanks for taking us along.

[kbasa]

How'd you know where all these places were?

[SNC1923]

I've got to go with the flow, here, man. This is one d****d fine ride report. My favorite photos were of the civic center in SF. What a well-researched trip, and a host of really interesting destinations. Bonus points for traveling with your uncle.

Maybe we should have a Ride Report Hall of Fame. . . .

Bravo! on a great trip and a great report :clap

[LongWays]

How'd you know where all these places were?

Couple of places. If you look around my website www.longwayshome.net in the routes section you will find references from last year's trip about The Green Book and how it was either the most intuitive mapping system ever (my uncle), or a complete load of crap (me). The Green Book is the field guide for the Frank Lloyd Wright Companion (http://www.franklloydwrightinfo.com/) and devoid of addressing or scale. This year I picked up the Frank Lloyd Wright Field Guide (http://nupress.northwestern.edu/title.cfm?ISBN=0-8101-2244-8) which not only has addresses for each site but also GPS co-ordinates. It also gives an indication of what level of accessibility you might expect such as can or cannot be seen from the street, not visible beware of dogs, and my favorite:

"The compound is not accessible because of the narrow private road and the ferocious animals kept by the owners. Unless invited, it would be better to avoid this house."

[LongWays]

Last year's stop at Taliesen, Frank's original home/farm/spread in Spring Green Wisconsin was a real eye opener with respect to the man and his art. The tour was broad, factual, anecdotal, mildly irreverant but above all incredibly informative. The same cannot be said about Taliesen West were the man and his art are seemingly secondary to keeping the idol on its pedestal. The place seems frozen in time - about the time just after he died. Regardless the physical aspects of the compound are well worth the trip.
http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwestparking_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesnwlamps_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taleisenwoffice_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Taliesen3640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/talesenwprow_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwside_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwdesertstair_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Taliesen1640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taleisenwpergola_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taleisenwwatertower_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/talesinwbelltower_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwfranksplace_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taleisenwroofline_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taleisenwdoorentry_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwreddoor_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwartglassdorr_640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/Taliesen2640.jpg

http://www.longwayshome.net/serendipity/uploads/taliesenwconcrete_640.jpg

And that would be that. The trrip home was through the canyons, deserts and mountains of the South West but that will have to wait for another report. Thanks for reading

[BradfordBenn]

You ain't the only one who keeps calling it the BOB I made a little Faux Paus at work while working up a system program for the Chase Ballpark. I asked if it was a new minor league park, cause I know about the BOB. :doh

[JBGood]

Wow. There are other FLLW/motorcycle fans out there. Very Kewl. Great ride report. :rocker

[carter]

Fabulous ride report ... With all due respect for Mr. Wright, and I do mean that as you exposed me to more of his brilliance then I have seen before... but with all due respect, I loved the stadium shots. IT's hard to beat the color and expectation in a picture of a baseball stadium, especially the night games. I like the idea of a theme for a road trip, and what a great mix of that here. Thanks !!

[BubbaZanetti]

very neat, i used to live 2 houses over (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Baird_Residence) from a frank lloyd wright house

great report!

[LongWays]

Keep those cards and letters coming folks. :dance Thinking I might sit down and do a report of the previous year's trip out through the Mid-West since this one got such a great response. :thumb Anyone up for a little Frank tour of Wisconsin before or after the National this summer? :deal

[MrsKbasa]

Please do, we love Bikes and Architecture.... :heart

[GNUSE]

:thumb

My daughter in college enjoyed the report and used it to some extent for a report on FLW.

[Junkle]

A lot of very nice pictures. Thanks for posting them.

You probably already know this but I think the Ennis House was used for exterior shots on the original "House on Haunted Hill" movie.

j.

[Timba]

:clap Loved your report! My sweetie and I stopped by Taliesin West several years ago. It is so far the only FLW place we've visited, but your report has inspired us to include a few places on this August's trip up the Pacific Coast Hwy.

Thanks!

[feds27]

Great ride and great job documenting it. Do you have a timeline with the days it took between stops?

[LongWays]

Great ride and great job documenting it. Do you have a timeline with the days it took between stops?


The "Blog" link on this page will give you a day by day report.
http://www.longwayshome.net/OdysseyIIPage.htm