Wright and Like Tour '09: Madison, Wisconsin. We set sail Friday in the untested '85 ETC after several days of pulling out hair trying to figure out a part throttle bucking problem and going through hell and back in diagnosing, substituting and outright replacing worn parts. Thursday after work I rolled the dice, dropped the fuel tank and changed the pump and hoses. Finally, success! Cara dropped by and we set to cleaning her up for the trip.
So we hit the road, stretching the car's legs for the first time with luggage onboard and a picnic lunch packed. It was around Dubuque that we discovered a serious problem. Transmission+Extended driving (heat) + coming to a stop = slipping and loss of 4th gear. We pressed on to Blue Mound state park in WI in 3rd gear before stopping for lunch and looking seriously at the situation. Fluid level was OK. TV cable was adjusted properly. Bottom line: McScrewed. We decided to press onward the half hour to Madison and rent a car for all the starting, stopping, and darting in the heavy construction zones the city offered. This was a real shame, too, as the car was simply flying on the interstate pulling in 25mpg and doing it so effortlessly. Hotel. Phone calls. Shuttle. Airport. Sentra. And a little peace of mind.
Fantastic weekend. I'll keep most of the thoughts in my head, but many architectural details gleaned from one of the masters and his apprentices. It was refreshing to both see how these buildings were not perfect and never had been, and to compare some of my atypical solutions to design problems that never creep up on conventional dwellings and see that they jibed pretty well with these structures. For the most part, it was a shot of inspiration and understanding that I once had, before starting work full time, dulling the senses and sucking a whole lotta' creativity out of me. I've also been so close to the lodge project that it's very difficult to tell anymore what is appropriate and what is ridiculous in completing it. A good example is the flying railings upstairs, meant to evoke a soaring, trepidatious response in visitorsr. I stood there last night, asking myself, "this is it?"
Bottom line: creative surge, newfound respect for a man I have viewed from both sides, and of course, food for the soul.
I should point out, Friday night's visit to "http://www.theoldfashioned.com/" down on the square could have justified the trip in itself. Ice cold PBR draws for a buck seventy-five, and Cara's Schlitz served up in a pilsner glass with logo was icing on the cake. Food was to die for, and the ambience and vintage decor, perfect. And yes, there are 150 Wisconsin beers.
Sunday, the ETC rewarded us with 4th gear and TCC lockup on our pilgrimage to Spring Green to see Taliesin. Afterward, it fought the hills OK, pulled in bucco economy, and then we hit Dubuque with their stoplights. And so it was, 3rd gear and a steady 55mph to keep the revs down all the way back on 20. But we made it… And with a case of Blatz tallboys to boot!
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