Taliesin Times Three

Frank Lloyd Wright has been called the world’s most famous architect. There now exists, across southern Wisconsin, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, that connects some of his most famous and iconic creations. Not the least of which is his home, Taliesin, just across the Wisconsin River from Spring Green.

Drafting room, Hillside school

This was the third time I’ve stood in the drafting room at Hillside School. The first time was about 60 years ago when my dad and some of my brothers stopped in to talk with someone because one of my brothers was thinking of becoming an architect. Thirty years ago, when Taliesin started doing tours, my brother and I came on a Saturday morning for a tour. At that time we walked through the school, but not the house.

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Adding a Few More Parks

Yosemite was just one of the parks on my itinerary for this trip. Right next door are Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, which feature great scenery and giant redwoods.

Two of the largest trees in the world are in these parks, by volume and by height. General Grant (left) is in Kings Canyon and General Sherman (right) is in Sequoia.

Two of the largest trees in the world are in these parks, by volume and by height. General Grant (left) is in Kings Canyon and General Sherman (right) is in Sequoia.

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Realizing Yosemite

Yosemite is one of the crown jewels of the US National Park system.

If you approach Yosemite from the south you enter through a tunnel, the second longest tunnel in the national park system. And then there's a parking lot where you can get your first view of the Yosemite Valley and Bridal Veil Falls.

If you approach Yosemite from the south you enter through a tunnel, the second longest tunnel in the national park system. And then there’s a parking lot where you can get your first view of the Yosemite Valley and Bridal Veil Falls.

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Camping in the Parks

I’ve never camped in a National Park. So this road trip offered the opportunity to do that. The third evening into the trip I arrived at Mesa Verde National Park, in the southwest corner of Colorado.

Mesa Verde has a lot of archaeology going on, which is great.

Mesa Verde has a lot of archaeology going on, which is great.

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Pikes Peak Squared

I got an invitation to a California wedding, and I love road trips. So June on the calendar became reserved for a western journey.

First Stop was Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa

First Stop was an early morning visit to Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa, overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. I grew up in the shadow of this park, with many visits over the years. Now it was time to seek the top of the other eminence memorializing 19th century explorer Zebulon Pike.

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Ralph Winter, Queen Mary, and Joanna, Wife of Chuza

Ralph Winter, Queen Mary & Joanna, Wife of Chuza

After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. – Luke 8:1-3 [NIV]

This is a reflection that I shared with my colleagues at IFES/USA:

When it comes to women and money for ministry in the Gospels, we’re often referenced to the sacrifice of the widow’s mite. But these verses in Luke 8 present a much more compelling picture. (more…)

Road Trip 2023

With all of my overseas visits in 2023, it wouldn’t have been a complete travel year without a road trip.

the Marion Wade Center in Wheaton.

The first stop, as I headed east, was the Marion Wade Center in Wheaton.

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