Going to Wisconsin; House on the Rock

We usually travel the 12 hour trip to Wisconsin in 1 day.  However, Al wanted a little time to see the grandchildren before leaving for Israel.   So we decided that we would leave after Al got off work.

It meant missing out on the little Trick-or-Treaters who come to our door.   I was a little sad about that as I love to see the little ones and pass out goodies!

We got left at 3:30.

 We got as far as Altoona, Iowa and stopped for the night.

The next morning, on to Wisconsin.  The barn on 151 continues to deteriorate

 At Dodgeville, we decided we had time to make a little detour and see House on the Rock.

We passed this odd scene.   A plane is parked right by an inn.  I had to find out about it.  You can read about it here.

 It was only a few more minutes to the House on the Rock, that is tucked off the road a little way.








 Along the way, you will see a few odd things.  I don't know what they are.   Planters?

 



We parked and went into the house.  Actually, not the house itself, but the entrance to where you go to the house.

 Builder Alex Jordan worshiped the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright and hoped for his approval to build this house. Supposedly Wright looked at the plans and told Jordan, "I wouldn't hire you to design a cheese crate or a chicken coop. You're not capable." 

That made Alex Jordan so mad!  On the drive back on Highway 23, Jordan pointed to a spire of rock and told a friend "I'm going to put up a Japanese house on one of those pinnacle rocks and advertise it." 

The "house" itself is atop Deer Shelter Rock, a column of rock.  Additions were made to the original structure and other buildings added over the course of several decades. 

Japanese gardens

The house was  weird.  No way around that.  I just could not live here.

  

 Infinity room

Glass bottom to look at the forest below.

 Guests could sleep here.  I would have said "NO, thank you!"  It just is too creepy for me!

All kinds of twists and turns around the place.  Steps here and there.  Little alcoves and nooks and crannies every which place.  So many pianos and other music machines.

the kitchen

 We only had time to go to one section.  There is much more.  We heard that people love to come here and take it all in.  They say it takes hours!  There is lodging here as well.

Well, we were ready to head out and go on to see our children and grandchildren.

 We could see it from a look out tower.  So many trees have grown up that you don't even notice that it is built on a precipice.

And nearby, Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin home, a 700 acre National Historic Landmark with 6 structures he designed.

  A contrast in design I believe, to Alex Jordan, Jr.'s house.

 The Bible also tells us about 2 builders.
Matthew 7:24-27   “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Jesus is our foundation.  A solid and sure foundation.  We are called to hear His Words and do them.  Storms will hit both houses; those who believe in Christ and follow Him and those who don't.  But those who follow Christ are assured that we will withstand the storms because of Christ.  Bad things might happen; do happen.  But He is with us and will take care of us.  He will be with us for all time.