The Magnificence of Fallingwater

I’m writing this blog post today to share my memories of my first experience of visiting Fallingwater. The first time I went to Fallingwater it was a surprise trip, the surprise my wife Lori put together for me. You see, we were in the transition phase of moving from California to Ohio. Lori and Taylor were already in Cincinnati visiting her mom and dad, and I was still in San Diego. I flew out for a weekend trip, and Lori surprised me by taking me to Pennsylvania.

During the whole trip to Pennsylvania Lori had  everything planned like only she can do. I knew she was up to something wonderful, as she always is, but this particular weekend was quite incredible. As we crossed over into Pennsylvania from West Virginia, I began to figure out what she was up to. And due to my interest in anything that Frank Lloyd Wright designed I was so excited to be able to share this experience with Lori.

My first view of Fallingwater

After a wonderful, playful, enjoyable drive across Ohio, West Virginia, and in Pennsylvania where we saw all kinds of things that I had never seen before. Things like Amish people traveling across the countryside in horse and buggy. This part of America is so beautiful, and the people are too! We stayed at a bed and breakfast in Pennsylvania which was really an awesome experience.

I am so pleased to hear that this beautiful home has been taken back to its original condition. I know from my years in construction that building cantilevered structures such as Fallingwater is, that even with today’s standards of construction they are challenging. I often think after being at falling water how awesome it would have been  to be a stonemason working on this home. My hat is definitely off to the craftsmen of today that meticulously removed each stone in order to strengthen and reinforce the cantilevered areas of falling water so that they will be enjoyed by generations for years to come!

The interior of Fallingwater  is so incredible.  All of my years as a Mason and having the opportunity to build many fireplaces I truly loved everything about the fireplace at Fallingwater. The Cherokee red kettle that swings over into the fireplace on iron arm is so incredible. I love the fact that all of these features are still in operation. If I’m not mistaken, Frank Lloyd Wright was the inventor of the casement window. In the windows and falling water meet at the 90° corner and open out into nature. As you walk through the home and look out into the woods there is nothing like what Mr. Wright achieved in making this building in harmony with nature.

Fallingwater is an inspiration to me today!

I love studying the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. I have had the opportunity now to see Fallingwater for the first time with the love of my life. This was an experience I will always cherish. And I know in the near future, Lori and I will return to Fallingwater.

During our trip to Fallingwater Lori and I also discovered another Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece that isn’t too far from Fallingwater. This home is called Kentuck Knob and in my opinion it ranks as high as any of Frank Lloyd Wright’s private residences that he designed. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves possibly because of the notoriety of falling water, but is it ever spectacular! If you’re ever in the area, make sure to visit this site also.

One of the most inspirational things about Frank Lloyd Wright and the era of the depression years and what he accomplished at the age of 67 when he designed Fallingwater gives me so much hope. I am only going to be 58 this year and I am at the end of my masonry career. But I know that I have a willingness and desire to share my experiences with young people that are interested in the masonry trade. Heck, Frank Lloyd Wright worked another 25 years after Fallingwater was constructed, and created so many buildings that continue to bring pleasure to many people today!

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Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance

This is one of the most spectacular points of all of the I-70 Interstate route through Colorado!  I was able to work on the some of the brick entry walls on the west Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance back in  1972.  This was a magnificent piece of engineering to be able to bore through the Continental Divide!  I remember as a kid growing up in Denver, when we would go to the mountains we always had to go over Loveland Pass before the tunnel was built to go camping as a family.  Good memories for sure!  The Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance changed those challenging climbs over that pass forever!

Here are some statistics about the Eisenhower tunnel entrance:

Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance Interesting Facts

— filed under: Eisenhower Tunnel, Central/Eastern Colorado (Region 1)

construction information

Interesting facts about the Eisenhower Tunnel.
•    Traveling through the Tunnels the public saves 9.1 miles by not having to travel over U.S. Highway 6, Loveland Pass.
•    The electric bill averages approximately $70,000 per month.
•    The Tunnel operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, employing 52 full-time employees with job duties that range from round the clock television surveillance, emergency response, tunnel washing, ventilation maintenance, tunnel sweeping, snow removal, heavy equipment servicing and repair, and water treatment.
•    In 2000 approximately 28,000 vehicles per day, or 10.3 million vehicles for the year,  traveled through the Tunnels.
•    During construction approximately 1 million cubic yards of material was cleared from each bore.  190,000 cubic yards of concrete was used for each tunnel lining.
•    There were three fatalities on the first bore; six fatalities on the second bore.
•    The pilot bore was completed in 1964.  The Eisenhower Memorial Bore took five years to complete and was dedicated March 8, 1973.  The eastbound Edwin C. Johnson Bore took four years to complete and was dedicated December 21, 1979.

These facts and photos were provided by the DOT of Colorado.

West Entrance of Tunnel

The Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance is an awesome sight!

It really doesn’t matter which Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance from the East, or the Johnson Tunnel Entrance from the West, they are both spectacular.

The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is located approximately sixty miles west of Denver, Colorado on Interstate 70.  It is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world, located at an elevation of 11,013 feet at the East Portal and 11,158 feet at the West Portal.  The Tunnel traverses through the Continental Divide at an average elevation of 11,112 feet.  The facility lies entirely within the Arapaho National Forest and is divided by two counties, Clear Creek County at the East portal and Summit county at the West portal.  When you enter the Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance from the east you are in for a long ride, it is 1.693 miles long!  Gives you quite a thrill as you pass through the Continental Divide instead of over it!

This project was something I am proud to say I had a small part in working on.  To have a trade that allows you to build something that people will use and enjoy for decades is one of the gifts I am so thankful for!  Working on the Eisenhower Tunnel Entrance is one of  the favorite jobs of my life!

Alternate Route to The Eisenhower Tunnel

Types of Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

There are many types of wood fired pizza ovens on the market today. There are many kit type wood fired pizza ovens available.  These ovens would be a wise choice for a homeowner that is ambitious and eager to have a wood fired pizza oven.  This project was built as a custom pizza oven and as a result it is more versatile because of the larger opening.  The Shillig family cooked their Thanksgiving turkey in this oven last year.

Wood Fired Pizza Ovens cook a pizza fast!

One of the amazing things about  wood fired pizza ovens is the temperatures that can be created due to the ability of the bricks to absorb and retain heat.  Richard tells me that he has had his oven as hot as 1100 degrees.  However, normally when cooking pizzas the ideal temperature is around 700-800 degrees.  This will cook your pizza in about 2-3 minutes… pretty awesome… don’t you agree?

The Dome of the Firebox

I have been very blessed over the years to have many of my clients become friends of mine. I consider this to be the case with Richard. Thanks for the work my friend! Enjoy your outdoor kitchen with you and your beautiful family for many more years!  I look forward to helping others that are interested in owning or building wood fired pizza ovens in the future.

Oh the fascination of a fireplace!

Don’t you love the comfort of a warm fireplace? There really is nothing like it. The crackle of the logs as they burn is a sound that is so relaxing… we all are fascinated with fire…it is so comforting when we have it under control.

Just imagine if you will, having the skill to build your own fireplace and start your first fire! I have done that many times in my life. I am so fortunate! I love to build fireplaces… it’s the best work of all in the Masonry trade!

Fireplaces have always been the focal point most homes. How else would the Big Guy come to visit the kids at Christmas? You just gotta have a fireplace! By the way…. don’t tell anybody….That’s one of my seasonal jobs too…. helping old Mr. Clause! Ho! Ho! Ho!

In many of today’s homes landscape architects are putting outdoor fireplaces into their designs. I love it! I have one at my current house and I really enjoy relaxing outside in the evening by the fire.

So many family photos are taken in front of the fireplace. There really is a kind of pull, or draw if you will (no pun intended) to the fireplace, even if there isn’t a fire going. The only room in the house that might rank higher in attraction would be the kitchen!

As I add more photos and videos to My Bricks and Stones .com blog, I’m quite sure there will be more fireplace photos that anything. I truly love the challenge of designing and building a fireplace!

Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to visit my sight. I hope you enjoy what you see! Also, please post any comments below… I would love to hear from you! Thanks so much.

Best wishes to you,

Doug Casady

http://dougcasady.com

email:doug@dougcasady.com
Skype Id: dougcasady
Phone: 951-723-0087 PST