Western PA

Yuengling, it's what's for dinner...

We were in PA so we needed some local fare.  Plus my nerves were shot after being boxed in at night on the interstate by 20 or so cherry picker trucks.  They drive like lunatics.

In the morning we set off for our tour of Kentuck Knob.  We were the only two people on the tour so it was much more in depth than it normally could have been.  Kentuck Knob was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Hagan family (they made ice cream) but it is now owned by Lord Palumbo who purchased the property in the mid-eighties.  Mister Palumbo is apparently quite rich.

Kentuck Knob (or 'Kentucky Knoll' if you aren't from Kentucky) is the highest point around, and the house was built into the knob.  The Hagans wanted the house built on top of the knob but Wright refused, saying that it would deter from his plan.  The Hagans lost that argument, and I honestly think the house is better for it.  In the following photo I'm standing on the knob.  The flat stone covered area in front is the car port.  And Jay, that is a copper roof.

Looking at the carport you can see that the knob is higher than the house.  Because of this, you get a very safe and protected feeling when you approach the home.

Also notice that the pillars and chimney are triangles.  There are only 2 right angles in this house - they are in the guest shower.

To the left is a shot of the back of the house that faces the woods.

I love this deck and the wall of glass.

If you don't know anything about Frank Lloyd Wright, just remember these two things:  1. he was brilliant, and 2. he had an inflated sense of self importance.  

If you were extra special, didn't move any of his custom designed furniture, didn't do anything to mess up the ridiculously overbudget house you were lucky to have had him design for you in the first place, AND you submitted to an inspection by one of his minions that confirmed the previous conditions... you could have this extra super special plaque put on your house.  I still like it.

A bonus of the tour was that the property houses Lord Palumbo's art collection.  He's got a sculpture garden outside and lots of interesting things inside... so in addition to touring an amazing house we got to see - among other things - a real dinosaur egg, a sabre toothed tiger's femur, and a triceratops vertebrae.  Who the hell has this stuff?!?  

Anna is standing by the 'Red Army' sculpture...

I almost don't want to tell my dad this, but we got to see Frank's original set of plans for this house.  Unfortunately, I couldn't photograph them.

We spent the night at Mt. Canaan Resort in Davis WV.  I couldn't believe the amount of tree damage there was on the drive in, and when got there we found 50 or so cherry picker trucks.  The workers were hold up at the resort for the night.  I spoke to one of the crewmen and he said they were called in from out of state and had been working 16 hour days since the storm hit.  $$$.

Beer for the evening was Morgantown Brewing Co., Coal City Stout.  Delicious!