Fallingwater & Ohiopyle 5/22/2011

Fallingwater is the great historical vacation home of the Kaufmann family that was built by Frank Lloyd Wright between 1936 and 1939.

The day started off with some mild rainfall.

"Fallingwater is a synthesis of "organic architecture"; it integrates man with nature, as Wright taught to his students at his Taliesen Studio. Fallingwater was constructed of sandstone quarried on the property and was built by local craftsmen. It follows the concept of integrating environmental factors, function, native materials, construction process and humans (the client)."

My mom and me

Nature abound us from every angle at Fallingwater.

Birds made a nest on Fallingwater. Nature so perfectly blended with Fallingwater, and Fallingwater perfectly blended with nature just how Frank Lloyd Wright intended!

This staircase led right into the main living room.

Final cost:  $155,000 

Next, we headed up the road to Ohiopyle!

Youghiogheny River 

We decided to take a quick hike in Ohiopyle State Park along the Ferncliff Trail.

There were multiple vantage points of the river. Ohiopyle is widely known for its whitewater rafting.

The water level was up quite high in places.

Drive through Laurel Highlands while heading home. The day turned out beautifully, we were greeted with sunshine and blue skies all afternoon.

Today,  my mom and me headed to the famed Fallingwater.  Fallingwater is located in southwest Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands about 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Fallingwater was the famed vacation home of the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh  built by the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. (The Kaufmann family owned an upscale department store in the 1930's, it is now part of the Macy's chain of department stores). The home was built from 1936-1939 but it became famous even before it's completion, making it to the cover of "Time" magazine in 1938. Frank Lloyd Wright and the Kaufmann's became acquainted through their son Edgar Kaufmann Jr  who was fascinated by Wright's work and even studied with him at Wright’s school, the Taliesin Fellowship. The home was owned and used by the Kaufmann family until 1963, when it was entrusted by Edgar Kaufmannn Jr., to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

I felt that the house was perfectly integrated into nature. It was amazing how the house made you feel as though you were apart of something much larger. Through the sounds of the waterfall and  the cozy cave like feel of the architecture, I felt like I was an integral part of all things that surrounded me. I hope to carry that feeling with me always so that I might remember what an important role I play within my environment. That I might help to conserve the natural resources that surround me always.

Next, we headed to Ohiopyle. Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty within the Laurel Highland mountains. We went on a short hike on the Ferncliff Trail. The trail was muddy and the waters of the Youghiogheny River were quite high up the bank in some places. I couldn't have asked for a better day!!

Links:

http://www.fallingwater.org/ 

Fallingwater Recreation Film 

http://www.casas.com/architect/franklloydwright/fallingwater0.htm 

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ohiopyle.aspx 

Directions to Fallingwater:

      From Pittsburgh:

• Take the Parkway East (I-376) to I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) at Monroeville.
• Continue east on the Turnpike to Exit 91 (Donegal).
• Turn left on to Route 31 east.
• Go 2 miles, turn right on to Route 381 south.
• Follow Route 381 south for approximately 17 miles to Fallingwater.

Directions to Ohiopyle:

          From Pittsburgh:  

From the PA Turnpike, take Exit 91, Donegal. Turn left onto PA 31 east. Travel about two miles, turn right onto PA 711 and PA 381 south. Travel ten miles to Normalville, turn left onto PA 381 south for 11 miles to Ohiopyle.

Boyce Park, Pennsylvania 5/21/2011- Carpenter Trail

 

The trailhead

We saw many butterflies along the trail......only this one posed for a picture!

Me

Me and my sister Kelly!

Open field!

Beautiful weather....it was warm and sunny!

We were accompanied on the trail head by my sisters "boys", Brinkley and Bailey.

The trail was very well signed. Note the foliage......"leaves of three, let them be"

Me and Bailey

Today, I went on a trail hike with my sister and her two dogs (Brinkley and Bailey). We went to Boyce Park located near my sister's home. Boyce Park is named after William D. Boyce, the founder of the Boy Scouts who was born in the area. The 1,096 acres of Boyce Park located in Monroeville and Plum Boroughs within Allegheny County Pennsylvania.

Links:
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks/maps/bptrail.pdf
http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/maps/bpmap.pdf

To get to the trail head: From Downtown Pittsburgh: Take I-376 East toward Monroeville, drive approximately 13 miles to exit 84B toward Plum. Merge onto Haymaker Rd/Old Haymaker Rd. Drive 0.7 mile and turn right onto Center Rd. In 0.8 mile make a sharp right onto Old Frankstown Rd. Destination will be on left.

Pennsylvania 5/20/2011- Bringing back my inner child

Me.....in the place where I grew up!!

This is what is left of the trail my siblings and I used as our stomping grounds growing up. It is a little overgrown, but it still felt like home.

Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides)
Other common names:  Moosewood
Family:  Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)
Height:  3 to 10 ft. (shrub)
Blooms:  May to June
Leaf Type:   toothed
Bloom Size:  1 in. (typical)

Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
Other common names:  Meadow Buttercup, Tall Buttercup
Family:  Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Height:  2 to 3 ft.
Blooms:  May to September
Leaf Type:   divided
Bloom Size:  1 in. (typical)

Some deer tracks found along the way!!

Despite finding several deer tracks I did not have the pleasure of spotting any deer on my backwoods hike.

Wild fungi growing out of a tree

Creek

The path was quite muddy in places.

 Along my hike today I came across many wildflowers. I also had the pleasure of birdwatching, seeing several robins a blue jay and a pair of woodpeckers (Red-bellied Woodpeckers, I believe).

I've spent 2 weeks at my parents home in Western Pennsylvania where I grew up. Today, I went for a short stroll through the woods behind my parents home.......a place that holds several memories for me. Being home was the perfect place to help my soul heal from the heartbreak I feel from the loss of my grandfather recently. For the first time in a long time I knew my life was headed in the direction it was meant to go. Nature has given me the solace I've been searching for.

Hiking Boot Care

If you're like me then you know that proper fitting footwear might be tough to find. Once you find properly fitting boot you'll want to take great care of them. With proper care you can increase the life of the boot itself, gaining a few more years and saving money (and who doesn't like saving money). Not to mention the important role your boots play in your health along the trail, run down boots can cause lower back pain, leg pain and more. So... ensure you take care of you boots, so they can ensure you can make it to the trail.

 

These are my trail mates.....my Vasque Backpacking boots.

I went hiking the other day over a particularly muddy trail to Cedar Butte and thus my boots were in some desperate need of TLC. Although it is a good idea to clean your boots after returning from every hike.

 "By nature dirt and mud are abrasive like sandpaper. So it makes sense that keeping things clean will go a long way towards basic hiking boot maintenance." *http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/index.html

 REI gave me 4 helpful tips for boot care:

• Clean boots after every hike. A brush and some water are the basic tools.
• Remove insoles/inserts after a hike to permit the whole boot to dry.
• Do not expose boots to excessive heat; store them at room temperature.
• When water stops beading on boot uppers, add a waterproofing treatment to restore their water resistance.

So you ask.....just how does one take care of their boots?

First off, gather up some cleaning supplies.  Here's a quick list:

1. A soft bristle brush, like a tooth brush or vegetable brush
2. A cotton fabric wash cloth
3. Small quantity of gentle soap. Of Note: If your boots are all leather then just use plain water without soap as it will remove the natural oil and dry out the leather.
4. Large tub-like container
5. Warm water
   
   
   
   Ok, put in your detergent and then fill up your washing tub.
   

   

   Next, take off the laces and throw them into the water and just let them soak.
   

   

   
   

   

   Take your shoes, pull out the bottom part (the liner), then shake and brush out any loose dirt you find inside the boots.
   
   Now, put your boots in the warm, lightly-soaped water. Let them soak for a short period  of time like a minute or two. After you've washed the insides, take your brush and scrub the exterior of the boots.  Not hard, just rub them firmly but not enough to damage them.
   

   

   Rinse boots of soap.
   

   

   Let dry throughly, but do not place in front of a fire, radiator, furnace or heater as this will dry out the leather compromising its integrity.
   

   

   Links:
   http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/caring+hiking+boots.html
   http://www.outdoor.com/
   http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/hiking-boot-maintenance.html
   
   
   

Cedar Butte 5/8/2011

James and Isabel head up the gravel road.

Boxley Creek

Cedar Butte Trailhead!!

James and Isabel head up the trail.

Despite his fluorescent green jacket, James seemed to totally blend in!

Finding the way to the summit was pretty easy given the numerous trail markings.

Lunch time.

All our trash was properly packed out using Leave No Trace Principals!

Lake view

Summit!

James and Isabel take a break at the summit.

The Summit View.

The clouds started to move and the sun was attempting to come out!

Sun Break!!

Look we did get some beautiful blue skies on our descent!

While photographing this wildflower I was startled by a hummingbird, who appearently was appreciating this flower as much as me.

More Wildflowers!

James and Isabel make it back to the gravel road.

James couldn't help but take one more peek at Boxley Creek!

Rain started coming down heavy on our way back out the gravel road to the parking lot.

But as soon as we arrived at the car, the sun shone again!

Even the typical unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather would not stop me from hiking today. Armed with my four-legged companion Isabel, my best friend James, some rain gear, and my trusty backpack, we headed up the trail to Cedar Butte. Cedar Butte is a three mile round trip trail with approximately 900 ft elevation gain up to the summit at 1880 ft. It is one of the quietest and least traveled trails within the Snoqualmie Pass corridor. The trail was quite muddy in places but the dense lush mossy forest was so breathtaking I didn't hardly notice. All in all a perfect day for a hike.

To get to Cedar Butte take I-90 East from seattle. Take  the first right off exit #32 (436th Avenue SE) which will turn into Cedar Falls Road SE. Drive about 4.5 miles, passing the Rattlesnake Lake parking area, until you find the Iron Horse Trailhead parking area on the left. Head down the gravel road for a bit, take a left at the T in the road. Follow that road until you cross over the Boxley Creek bridge. Then  head approximately an addional .25 mile and you will see the Cedar Butte Trail sign and trailhead on the right.


Links:
 http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cedar-butte
http://www.lnt.org/