Home Sweet Homes in Wisconsin

MOO! from Wisconsin

We traveled the backroads of southwestern Wisconsin for four days.  The rolling hills of the countryside are dotted with farms, red barns, planted fields, woods, silos, and the state domestic animal - the cow.

We visited several houses owned by people with vision.  Our first was to the home of Alex Jordan.  And I’m sure there is a lot of “huh”- “ Who’s Alex Jordan?”  We didn’t know either until we visited one of Wisconsin’s best tourist attractions - The House on the Rock.



From a distance - the Infinity Room of the house-218 ft into space

 Alex Jordan was one of those rare individuals who had a chance to build his dream and spent his entire life constructing it into a design lover’s wonder.   What began as a climb up on a rock ledge for a picnic turned into an individual’s passion to create a home on the site.  As it developed it became known as “The House on the Rock” and over time that name stuck. 

As he worked on his home visitors would stop by and ask to see his home.  Not wanting to be bothered by people as he was developing his structure he said ok but each person would have to pay 50 cents to see the house on the rock.  He didn’t think people would pay the price.  He was wrong.  Jordan was also a collector of unique and whimsical items that are displayed in several buildings.  I think it would make a great set for a Harry Potter movie. 

OH BTW, today it costs way more than 50 cents to visit!

A few miles down the road from The House on the Rock is another famous residence - Taliesin.  From 1911 until 48 years later it was a “work in progress” created by one of America’s most distinguished and recognized architects - Frank Lloyd Wright.

The nation is sprinkled with his work and if you are an admirer of modern natural design this is a must see.  We have visited Fallingwaters and Taliesin West and I was drawn here because of the book - Loving Frank and will read it again now that I can add the visuals to the story.



Lots of rocks!  I did get one for my collection.



Wright was not only a designer of buildings but of art, landscapes, and modern furniture.  We had a great guide who explained Wright's interior architecture too.  

  

 A quarter mile bumpy drive up a one lane dirt road lined with woods and blooming purple wild flowers led us to our third visit with a friend, Lea who splits time between Florida and Wisconsin.  When we beeped our horn we were greeted by Lea and Monk.





Monk

After pats, hugs, and hellos we were given our tour of Full Circle Farm - another work in progress by a woman with vision and lots of guts.  Our tour started with the goats - who enjoyed the apples we brought.  We saw the outbuildngs, the garden, her newly planted trees, and the cabin.    

Lea originally wanted to tear the cabin down but decided instead to remodel it.  It is compact with all the necessities.  On the back corner of the cabin stood a washing machine that stirred childhood memories of the one my mom used in the 1940's. 

 



The cabin




View from the cabin



On the Porch



Bill and I are beginning the process of considering a move to a new "home" and these three visits have got us thinking about what we want and really need - we are working on our vision.