On Saturday I toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, and had my first Sonic fast food experience before heading to the Phoenix Doubletree Guest Suites for the night. We had our tour briefing this evening at the hotel and met Kelly and Dave (guide and driver) for the next week.
Taliesin West
Entrance to Taliesin West driveway
 
built between 1938 and 1940
built in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale
Palo Verde tree. Trunk is green due to chlorophyll. Arizona's official state tree.
Petroglyphs found on the site
This was the Taliesin Fellowship’s home from Oct. to April of each year.
 
Original roof panels and windows were canvas to let light in.
Poles held awnings for shade
 
 
 
Strategically placed pools were water supply in case of fire.
Wright was constantly changing the structure
The Drafting Room is96 ft. long and 30 ft. wide
There is a fireplace at one end and a concrete vault at the other.
 
 
 
Saguaro cactus grow all around
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chinese ceramic decorative pieces
Breezeways separate areas of the complex
Redwood roof beams did not last in the hot climate
 
 
The living room is called the Garden Room
 
Desert masonry was used for the construction
Ceilling light fixture
Wright changed the look constantly
 
There were no glass windows originally as glass was very expensive
 
Chairs were made from a single piece of plywood
 
 
Patio off the bedroom
 
 
Wright’s bed
 
Replica screens recently restored.
 
 
 
Folding doors opened to patio
ANother pool for emergency water supply in case of fire.
 
 
Wright loved movies, so he built this screening room
Dragon decoration
Later Wright oriented the building towards the mountains and not the   more developed valley
Screening room
Originally the dining room was covered, but not enclosed
Drafting room fireplace
There are many sculptures on the grounds
 
 
Sculpture garden
This little guy was in the music pavillion.
Saw lots of these little lizards
Music Pavillion was built in 1957 when Wright was 90.
Sculpture garden
Green trunk of Palo Verde tree
Open, spacious terraces are much like vast desert in the valley below.
Chapel
 
 
Chapel light fixture
 
Chapel hallway
Floor light fixture
 
Door wood carvings
Gift shop and bookstore entrance
 
Sloping walls echo mountains
Taliesin Logo
 
 
Mile long drive up to complex
 
Sonic!
Place your order and pay from your parking spot
Alex, the friendly carhop with the condiment tray.
Double tree gives each guest a cookie upon check-in. Delicious!
Pool area. The heat was relentless.