April 18 & 19
We boarded the train to Maricopa at 10PM on Friday after a long day of adventuring in LA. The trip overnight arrived in Maricopa at 6am. We booked coach because it was a short trip, sort of like economy on a plane. I had hoped to get a couple of hours of sleep but that did not happen as the person sitting with me was either snoring or bumping me….drat. When we arrived in Maricopa (about 35 miles from the Phoenix airport) we still needed to get to the airport to pick up a rental car so we got an Uber. Then we picked up the rental and headed to my house. After all the logistics we were a bit exhausted so after a quick breakfast we crashed.
So why are we at my house???? Last year when we ended our summer trip in Venice we promised to visit each other at our homes the rest of this trip evolved around that promise.
Saturday involved getting settled in and then we had Dinner at the Vic which is the restaurant that is part of my community and sits atop a mountain. A perfect place to watch the sunset.
Sunday we were removed from our journey so we headed to Taliesin West. Taliesin West is a World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wright’s beloved winter home and desert laboratory was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations.
Frank Lloyd Wright is my favorite architect and it was really special to sit at his drafting table and image him sitting there creating. Exploring Taliesin with Kim and Ernie who love his designs made it an incredible adventure.
After exploring Taliesin West we headed to the Arizona Biltmore for an adult beverage and a snack. The Biltmore is a Frank Lloyd inspired resort. As we walked the grounds we encountered many of the design principal that are uniquely his.
At bit of Mexican food and a spectacular sunset and the day was a wrap!!!
Absolutely a “Best Day Ever…So Far” in my home town!!!!
For all the many times I’ve visited the Valley of the Sun, I’ve never been to Taliesin West despite a desire to go. Next drive that way I need to make the time. Love FLW, he was one of the best architects ever along with the amazing furniture and other art pieces he designed.