Madison, Wisconsin. They don't very much like signs. Kind of like Pennsylvania where we figure that we already know where we're going and if you don't know then you should ask someone from Pennsylvania or just go away, who needs you anyway. (I'm from Pennsylvania, I only live in New York City.)
There were no roadsigns for the exit JTP told us to take. We blew the exit and gave up. It was 1130 at night and I had stopped functioning about halfway through Illinois. I wanted a shower and a bed and goodnight, see ya in the morning.
We found an Applebees, called JTP and followed him like helpless bees to the hive.
But... oh oh oh "Did you know that Frank Lloyd Wright designed a fabulous Community and Convention Center in Madison?" Uh, no.

"Manona Terrace, and it is especially beautiful at night."
Keep talking.
"At night there are special lights to cast the shadows of the waves on the exterior of the building, the exterior was designed to reflect the water..." that's right baby, sell it. OK of course we are going to go see Manona Terrace at midnight. It's about 45 degrees, I have been wearing my heated vest like a life preserver for the last 2 days, let me just put on my head sok and I'm with you.
JTP dropped his top when he saw us do it, naturally he couldn't let a couple of thin blooded East Coasters catch him with his top up at midnight in frikin freezin Madison frikin Wisconsin.
It was definitely worth the trip,
driving under the building as Frank Lloyd Wright had planned,

Click on the image to view an animated gif of driving under Manona Terrace
Click here to download a 2.89mg avi of driving under manona terrace

our first taste of Frank Lloyd Wright on trip that promised more, more, more.




I'm not sure why we had to stop by the local Porsche dealership on the way home, and I was going to kill JTP, but later.
JTP extended his hospitality and his home to us, DaveT and he stayed up planning all sorts of stops for the next day while I showered in bliss.
When I got out of the shower it was close to 2am and they informed me that we'd have to be out the door by 7am to make our tour at Taliesin.
Really?
Goodnight guys.

8
Day Two- 1/4 Lap of America
Part 1 Another Change in Plans~~ Part 2 Indiana~~ Part 3 Chicago Roads~~
Part 4 The Pit~~ Part 5 Teachum's Garage~~ Part 6 Love and Hate on I-294~~
Part 7 Route 14~~ Part 8 Manona Terrace (FLW)~~

1/4 Lap of America Frank Lloyd Wright Gumball Page

May 21-30, 2001


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