Falling Water is one of Frank Lloyd Wrights most recognized works of architecture. He was formally asked to design the house for the Kaufmann family (who owned department stores in western Pennsylvania---these stores just got bought out by Macy's) in 1935. The Kaufmann's and FL Wright were friends and hanging out together when Mrs. Kaufmann asked Wright if he'd design their dream house overlooking her favorite water fall on their land in Western, PA. He obliged and estimated the costs to be about $40,000... which at the time was a lot of money. The house ended up costing a little over $150,000... which with inflation is alot of money now... and Mrs Kaufmann almost had a heart attach... well, not literally but you get the idea, until she saw what he did. He built the house over the waterfall! Falling Water is listed among Smithsonian magazine's Life List of 28 places "to visit before ...it's too late." and was featured in Bob Vila's A&E Network production, Guide to Historic Homes of America. It is also a US National Historic National Landmark. Like his other houses it was not built with support beams... but very well architecurally designed he was able to build the patios with no structure underneath... which it's amazing it's still standing. The house was built on 3 stories and had a guest house and servants quarters in the back... along with an inground wading pool. This is probably the most beautiful house I have ever seen. The detail put into every aspect of it... in one part of the house he put a grand piano in the room... but put the back of the piano through the wall and even that is not being held up by any type of structure! The fire place in the house is built on the large boulder outside and alot of what he does in his houses he designs as a mockery to other architechs by boasting in their face that he can defy the odds and have a building that has never been done before! He truly is an amazing architech who's buildings stand the test of times... In fact when I went to see his house in Oakhill, Illinois the tour guide told me that she was standing outside of the house and a resident who just moved to the area stopped and asked if she knew who the architech was. The tour guide said yes and said F.L. Wright...and the woman didn't recognize the name so she asked if the tour guide formally knew him because she was looking for a good architech to design her and her husbands house they wanted to build and that the house in Oakhill was one of the freshest designs she's ever seen... even though it was standing there for over 100 years! If you do go to Falling Water I suggest you make reservations because it is quite busy... sort of like Disney World. Also, he has another house down the road, 40 miles away, called Kentuck Knob which is smaller and not as well known... this one you don't need to have a reservation to go see.

Where some good walking shoes, it's about a 10 minute "hilly" round trip from the visitors center to house. The tour will last about 1 hour. Make a reservation online or you may wait 45 minutes to an hour to get on a tour. There is no photography in the house but bring a Camcorder to get outside shots and the full effect of the waterfall.

What started as a timekiller on a business trip turned out to be one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. Set on 1500 acres of beautiful mountain woodlands in Southwestern Pennsylvania is Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterwork Fallingwater. This weekend retreat built in the 1930's is the only Wright home complete with the original furnishings and artwork.

You have to visit and take the tour ($16.00 for adults $10.00 children) there is too much detail to list here but you will not be disappointed. Even if you are not into architecture the scenery in this part of PA is amazing.

About 10 miles south of Fallingwater is the town and State Park of Ohiopyle, a mecca for whitewater rafting in the area. This is going on my list of places I have to go again, and next time I'll leave the suit and tie at home.

http://www.paconserve.org/index-fw1.asp

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