Pawhuska and Bartlesville, Oklahoma

The first three pictures were taken in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

The next series are from Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Though master architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 400 buildings in his long career, the only skyscraper he ever planned came near the end of his life: Price Tower. Spending the night in this beautiful building was a fantastic experience. These are some of my favorite pictures that I have taken. The building was originally designed to be built in New York City in the 1930's and didn't come to fruition until 1956. FLW described the building as the tree that escaped the crowded forest since it has a much larger impact on the prairies of Oklahoma than in the crowded streets of New York.

Price Tower was home to another great architect, Bruce Goff, whose office was located in the tower for a time. We have wanted to explore the homes and buildings he designed in Bartlesville. The Sooner Tower is located in a park on the edge of town. It is a great space age-y Play Tower: “Goff’s design for the Sooner Park Play Tower was based upon mathematic principles: line, sphere, circle, cylinder, spiral and mobius strip. The tower is a spiraling staircase with a metallic mesh sphere that reaches 50 feet in height to the tip of its spire. Constructed of steel components (mesh fencing, perforated plate, textured tread plate, and steel rods), the tower is painted in primary colors red, yellow, and green. Then we found several of his homes that he designed. Our last stop on the Bruce Goff tour was the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Education Building. Maybe the best use of the blue slag glass he used in so many buildings in my opinion.

Last stop was Woolaroc which was established in 1925 as the ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips. The ranch is a 3,700-acre (1,500 ha) wildlife preserve, home to over 30 different species of native and exotic wildlife, such as bison, elk and longhorn cattle. Woolaroc is also a museum with a collection of Western art and artifacts, American Indian material, and one of the largest collections of Colt firearms in the world.

Madison Wisconsin Road trip

We hit the road on a rainy Friday morning. Michael always follows too close, so driving on rainy days is not my favorite thing. I concentrated on the scenery and tried not to slam on my imaginary brake pedal and slap the dashboard.

I love the lighting on rainy days for black and white pictures.

On the Highway in Dubuque, Iowa. This city looks like a great place to take pictures.

Black dirt and fields prepped for growth.

Through the sunroof on a day with no sun.

Meeting dear friends and preparing to see The Professor of Rock.

Proscenium Arch in The Majestic Theatre.

Looking down the arch from the balcony.

50 songs no breaks full out rock.

The Man!

We perused several flea markets in Madison. This coffee pot was interesting.

Madison is full of interesting architecture.

Window display at an eyeglass store.

I love old neon signs. I want to do a night shoot in several neighborhoods in Madison.

The colors of the mural and steeple caught my eye.

Waiting on the mail.

This building is now apartments.

The juxtaposition of this brutalist apartment building in this block of Victorian buildings drew me to this shot.

Looking at the Isthmus. Note the Frank Lloyd Wright building on the lower left.

I love old farms that refuse to yield for the city.

Sign, sign

Everywhere a sign

Michael pulled into Dubuque, Iowa so that we could scout the area. We decided we will be back as soon as possible to devote more time to documenting the beauty of this city.

Squares and rectangles

The Fenelon Place Elevator was closed for the season. I grabbed this shot from behind the fence.

Reflections and gnomes

This reminded me of the yellow brick road.

This is my favorite road picture. I never know if my timing will work out and capture the shot I saw in my brain. This one is better than what I had planned.

Day Trip from Fredericksburg to Austin

Austin skyline on the drive in

Bike shopping was at top on the list. Michael is looking for a(nother) bike.

Location location location

Blackbird fly

Our friend Christine told us we had to check out South Congress, so when bike shopping was over we headed to SOCO which is what the hipsters call it, I mean the marketing group.

Love these signs. I hope that Michael makes a note that I would love to see a show at The Continental Club and stay here after the show. That would be the perfect hearts desire day.

Still playing with saturation.

The designer of the whole Austin Motel complex is fantastic. It feels as if you are transported back to California circa 1965

Not sure of the name of this Hotel

I don't know why this caught my eye. Maybe because when someone lays down a rule like that I am tempted to break it and I don't drink alcohol.

Nature in the city

Architectural design mimicking nature

Need to see a show here, we tried months ago, but Bobby Bare Jr. had to Covid cancel.

Can't decide between the black and white

or the color

murals

Lights on the Austin Motel

Joann's Fine Foods restaurant inside the Austin Motel

Refection in the mirror for waitstaff to see when the orders are up.

darling little booths

another decision to post both

Yes

Austin

Love these planters

Fence on South Congress

Hipsters in their natural habitat

Incredible shop...I think I read that Bob Dylan bought clothes here. Cool!

Allens boot store

Is this Matthew McConaughey?

On our way home we had to stop at Wimberley

Cute shop

Lines

Not much left

What a façade

Live oaks are magnificent trees