A visit to Taliesin West

While I was visiting sister Chats and her hubby, Michael, in Rio Verde, Ariz., we toured nearby Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's haven in the desert.

Sistahs Cathy and Pam before our tour.

Frank created Taliesin West to be "organic" with the desert, which is to say he used natural materials and tried to build in harmony with the desert mountain he loved. Architectural students still live and study there.

We loved what he'd done with the place.

By the pool, which Frank used not to swim in but to soak the canvases he used for roof segments.

One of Wright's famous sprites outside his living room. Chats and I got to sit in the chairs he designed in that room, but no photos were allowed inside.

Our tour group contained one baby, who I thought was very sweet. But when he burbled, some in our group frowned, so his mother took him outside. I think Frank would have been charmed at the beautiful image she and he presented as they rested in the shade.

One of Frank's students sculpted this cool maid. Chats whispered rather loudly that she was "probably his lover." The tour guide referred to Frank as "Mr. Wright" throughout, which made us roll our eyes.

Another cool sculpture on the grounds.

Frank got it right. It was a pretty cool place. Visit if you get a chance, those of you cousins who get to the Phoenix area occasionally.