E to Z

As mentioned before, we became obsessed with Wright and his apprentices.  While researching Paolo Soleri I saw that he had a building right in Cave Creek!

It was difficult to find an address but I managed to find an aerial picture and, with the help of Holly, was able to determine its location (left on N Scopa Trail, veer left to continue on N Scopa Trail, left on 72nd).  

The dome house was built by two of Wright's apprentices, Paolo Soleri and Mark Mills, after they were banished from Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Architecture drama!

(I have a feeling Wright's life would have made for some good reality TV.)

Soon after, Soleri and Mills were commissioned by Lenora Woods to build a house that she could see the stars from.

Although I REALLY wanted to look through the windows I resisted.  We weren't sure if anyone was living there, and we didn't want to be rude (well, ruder...we were already on private property, but for the record, the 'no trespassing' sign, and chain used to cover the road, were down).

I read an article online saying that one day Wright came to her house unannounced and pointed to architectural details within the dome with his cane saying, "'That's mine, that's mine, that's mine, that's Soleri, that's Soleri's, that's mine.'

Rawr! 

More architecture drama!!

Oh no he didn't!

Actually, there is even more drama.  Before the completion of the house in 1950, Soleri fell in love with Leonora Woods' daughter.  They were married and on their honeymoon as Mills was finishing up the last few details on the house.

By the way, the halfway point between Cave Creek, AZ and Oceanside, CA on the 10 is Blythe and Rebel's BBQ in Blythe has a delicious smoked veggie sandwich (although the one picture above is Eric's smoked pastrami sandwich).