Great Allegheny Passage Trail

Got up early(ish) to leave the hotel by 8:30 so I would have plenty of time to drive to Fallingwater. Good thing, since I had trouble with directions when I saw signage on I-376 that said the turnpike (my chosen route) was closed. Turned out not to apply to my route, but I didn't take the chance and pulled off to ask my Google maps to re-route. Slower route with lots of turns. Sucked. Came across the turnpike, saw cars on it, so just hopped on. Got to the Fallingwater site at the exact time of my pre-booked ticket.

Fallingwater was beautiful. Peaceful. Inviting. I liked it more than I thought I would. Fascinating and intricate and genius piece of construction. Was not allowed to go inside house but had plenty of peeks in the windows. Paid for a "self-guided" tour, but there were plenty of tour guides on hand and they gladly answered questions.

From Fallingwater to Kentuck Knob, another Frank Lloyd Wright house in a beautiful setting. Lots of sculpture on a wooded trail, fantastic overlook. Fellow visitor said, "I would have put the house here. But you couldn't tell him anything." (not sure if he was referring to Frank Lloyd Wright or the house owner, but when I thought about it, I think the view is more special because it is a short walk from the house and at the top of an unspoiled hill). Sculptures I liked best were the bronze turtle in the woods, the pile of rocks, two pieces of the Berlin Wall, British phone booths, and the French pissoir. Made urgent dash to the restroom on site (barely made it from the trail in time).

Left Kentuck Knob and car's gas tank was on empty and couldn't get a cell signal. Luckily had Tom-Tom GPS device so switched to it. It fell off the windshield mount 4 miles down the road, and I had to find a spot to pull over (lucky to find one on these roads!) Needed a gas station because tank was near empty and car was sucking it up on every mountain climb. First place I found was 18 miles down the road in Connellsville, at a convenience store called Sheetz (made me think of my dash to the restroom back at Kentuck Knob).

Back in Pittsburgh, enjoyed a walk around the Point State Park - lots of people out enjoying the fountain, park, walks, riverfront. Several small boats on the river. Most people in the park were wearing masks, social distancing. Lots of families. Beautiful spot.

Had dinner at a pizza pub across the street from hotel. Great pizza but I could not eat all of it. Felt wasteful but should have thought in advance how I could have shared it or at least not wasted it. Regionally brewed weizenbier was excellent. Managed to finish it with no trouble.

Watched sunset over the Ohio from hotel window. Went to bed early. Going to take my time in the morning. No schedule.

Today's lessons: Always have multiple navigational strategies.
Before taking woodland walks, make sure you know where the nearest restroom is located.