Red Oak II

Carol Freshley September 23, 2017

We love to ask local residents where they think we should head off for some photographic adventure. We were parked in Carthage, MO and asked several people that very question. The third time Red Oak II was suggested we knew we just had to check the place out. Red Oak is the dream-come-to-life of Lowell Davis. If you find this interesting, you might want to check out this famous artist and how Red Oak II came about. It is not done yet.

At first glance, as we drove through an open gate, was that this place was an upscale version of Gold Mine and Ghost Town in Jerome.  But, it is much more than that. — At first glance, as we drove through an open gate, was that this place was an upscale version of Gold Mine and Ghost Town in Jerome. But, it is much more than that.

This is a village in the making.  It is a place where the community can come and listen to bluegrass music in front of the church. — This is a village in the making. It is a place where the community can come and listen to bluegrass music in front of the church.

Cute little house that was right next to a small stream.

The whole site is filled with one interesting photographic opportunity after another.  There were no crowds, no entrance fees and photographers are welcome. — The whole site is filled with one interesting photographic opportunity after another. There were no crowds, no entrance fees and photographers are welcome.

If you did check out Lowell Davis, you would easily recognize this as his artwork.

Now, this is how you can design a cheap overhead lighting system.

The car was interesting.  The bumper sticker made it photo-worthy! — The car was interesting. The bumper sticker made it photo-worthy!

Lowell was sitting on his front porch and welcomed us over.  His friends were with them and we were immediately included as if we had known them for years.  He is a rather quiet and introspective individual.  He is quite the story tel… — Lowell was sitting on his front porch and welcomed us over. His friends were with them and we were immediately included as if we had known them for years. He is a rather quiet and introspective individual. He is quite the story teller.

This walkway leads back to Lowell's studio where one can buy some items he has made.  No pressure, however.  Just go on back and look around! — This walkway leads back to Lowell's studio where one can buy some items he has made. No pressure, however. Just go on back and look around!

Hmmmm?  This is when I realized that it was time to leave.  I was in over-stimulation mode! — Hmmmm? This is when I realized that it was time to leave. I was in over-stimulation mode!

We have several hundred more photos of Red Oak II. The locals have it right. If you go to Carthage, you must go to Red Oak II.

Two Lakes and a City

Carol Freshley September 16, 2017

Clear Lake was just a day trip from Forest City, so we took it. Viking Lake was a great stop after we left Forest City. Mason City was a complete surprise. We had no idea that Frank Lloyd Wright has such an influence in there or that their historic homes and a hotel would offer so much fun photography.

Clear Lake was not a small lake!  It was beautiful and an obvious destination for vacationers.  There were homes all the way around the lake and they each seemed to have a boat parked out back.  This paddle boat gave lake tours, had a… — Clear Lake was not a small lake! It was beautiful and an obvious destination for vacationers. There were homes all the way around the lake and they each seemed to have a boat parked out back. This paddle boat gave lake tours, had a nice bar and could be rented out for parties.

This was different.  Every boat was up and covered.  That was true all around the lake.  Maybe there is a boat equivalent of an HOA!  Nice and tidy. — This was different. Every boat was up and covered. That was true all around the lake. Maybe there is a boat equivalent of an HOA! Nice and tidy.

You know Tom!  He was out in the underbrush, gathering ticks, to get the perfect artistic composition.  At least he does not fall in the water and drown his camera as I do to get the best composition.  I have gotten good at tick remov… — You know Tom! He was out in the underbrush, gathering ticks, to get the perfect artistic composition. At least he does not fall in the water and drown his camera as I do to get the best composition. I have gotten good at tick removal!

There is, of course, a story here.  It appeared that these totally irresponsible adults were placing two kids per sailboat and then pushing them off into the waters of the lake.  I was shocked!  The kids looked like they were about 8 … — There is, of course, a story here. It appeared that these totally irresponsible adults were placing two kids per sailboat and then pushing them off into the waters of the lake. I was shocked! The kids looked like they were about 8 years old. While wearing water vests and certainly not seeming upset, it still looked irresponsible. Where were the parents?

After a bit, it appeared that all was well.  The haphazard beginning got sorted out, the adults got in a motorized boat and stayed close to the small boats.  Later, I found out that this is a sailing class for kids and that it is hugely po… — After a bit, it appeared that all was well. The haphazard beginning got sorted out, the adults got in a motorized boat and stayed close to the small boats. Later, I found out that this is a sailing class for kids and that it is hugely popular and no one has ever had an incident. Foolish Carol! See, they are all lined up.

This is known as the Stockman House.  It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright based on his open floor plan described in his 1907 Ladies Home Journal article "A Fireproof House for $5,000.  The design was to become the Prairie School approach… — This is known as the Stockman House. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright based on his open floor plan described in his 1907 *Ladies Home Journal* article "A Fireproof House for $5,000. The design was to become the Prairie School approach to housing needs of America's middle class. The home is now owned by the River City Society for Historic Research and is open to the general public as a house museum. It was not open when we visited the site.

The simple and elegant entry way and window treatment is inspired by Wright's design elements.

I lost my notes on this house.  So sorry!  Guessing another Prairie House. — I lost my notes on this house. So sorry! Guessing another Prairie House.

I am not sure, but I believe this is the Arthur Rule House. built in 1912.  If you guessed it to be a Prairie School design you were correct. — I am not sure, but I believe this is the Arthur Rule House. built in 1912. If you guessed it to be a Prairie School design you were correct.

This is called the Temple House and is an example of Tudor Revival.  It was built in 1929.  The roof is made of slate.  Sometimes the ownership history is interesting.  The house was built by Mr. Temple.  He owned the print … — This is called the Temple House and is an example of Tudor Revival. It was built in 1929. The roof is made of slate. Sometimes the ownership history is interesting. The house was built by Mr. Temple. He owned the print shop in Mason City that printed all the billboards for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey and other circuses.

This is listed as the Richardson / Page House, built before 1905.  It has a lot of style features but was not identified as any particular predominant style.  The classical columns may be taken from Queen Ann style homes in Mason City. — This is listed as the Richardson / Page House, built before 1905. It has a lot of style features but was not identified as any particular predominant style. The classical columns may be taken from Queen Ann style homes in Mason City.

This impressive home is known as 'Stonyacre'.  It is a Neo-Classical Revival house built in 1901.  It might be of interest to know that right behind many of these homes ran a river that periodically flooded the area, even though most of th… — This impressive home is known as 'Stonyacre'. It is a Neo-Classical Revival house built in 1901. It might be of interest to know that right behind many of these homes ran a river that periodically flooded the area, even though most of them were built on a bluff above the river.

This is the Yellen House, built in 1910 and designed by William Drummond.  'The architect was described as 'fluent in Wright's idiom'.  This house is a Prairie School design with a 'strong horizontal emphasis'.  Loved reading all the … — This is the Yellen House, built in 1910 and designed by William Drummond. 'The architect was described as 'fluent in Wright's idiom'. This house is a Prairie School design with a 'strong horizontal emphasis'. Loved reading all the descriptions in our handbook about each home and then looking up at the home and thinking, "Oh' I see that!"

This is the mezzanine of the Park Inn Motel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 19010.  As we toured the inside (tripods allowed) I was impressed with the obvious and abandant patterns that I associate with a Wright design.  The ge… — This is the mezzanine of the Park Inn Motel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 19010. As we toured the inside (tripods allowed) I was impressed with the obvious and abandant patterns that I associate with a Wright design. The geometric patterns, the open feeling, the way everything seem to fit together was impressive.

The National Bank adjoins the Park Inn Hotel.  Special consideration was given to designing the second floor to allow maximum light and ventilation.  The upper windows and entrance are guarded by heavy bronze castings to secure the bank. — The National Bank adjoins the Park Inn Hotel. Special consideration was given to designing the second floor to allow maximum light and ventilation. The upper windows and entrance are guarded by heavy bronze castings to secure the bank.

Viking Lake is Missouri State Park and when we arrived just prior to the weekend we found it full of families with children.  It was a nice change from the usual retirement age folk that just get out to walk their dog.  We used it as a nic… — Viking Lake is Missouri State Park and when we arrived just prior to the weekend we found it full of families with children. It was a nice change from the usual retirement age folk that just get out to walk their dog. We used it as a nice home base for exploring local roads edged in corn and soybeans.

Greg at the North Rim

Carol Freshley September 14, 2017

Greg spent 12 days with friends camping out with friends. His friend, Kurt, knows many of the back roads on the north side of the canyon. He shares some of the photographs taken during that trip.

Greg wrote that they were able to mountain bike along the rim.  That would be fun! — Greg wrote that they were able to mountain bike along the rim. That would be fun!

Oh Greg!  You have skunked me with this one.  I still have not managed to get a good photograph of that window! — Oh Greg! You have skunked me with this one. I still have not managed to get a good photograph of that window!

They climbed up two different manned fire towers and were able to spend time with the folks that were working in them.  That is a lot of steps and Greg did two. — They climbed up two different manned fire towers and were able to spend time with the folks that were working in them. That is a lot of steps and Greg did two.

I could not do that.  Not because I am out of shape (I am) but i could not handle the looking down bit. — I could not do that. Not because I am out of shape (I am) but i could not handle the looking down bit.

Greg reported seeing many deer, but apparently they are not in this photograph.

The group hiked down to Big Springs from one of the fire tower locations.  He wrote that the cabins there used to be for Forest Service employees only.  But, now half of them are available for just $65 per night. — The group hiked down to Big Springs from one of the fire tower locations. He wrote that the cabins there used to be for Forest Service employees only. But, now half of them are available for just $65 per night.

Greg says they were camping.  Haha!  Camping in style, I think. — Greg says they were camping. Haha! Camping in style, I think.

Even with a fifth wheel, having one of these in the evening makes it camping.

A very special thanks to Greg for sharing his vacation. You rock, my friend!