Falling Into Ohiopyle

One seemingly small town turned out to be a lot more. With a magnificent state park, white water rapids, a river to swim in, and two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses(Falling Water and Kentuck Knob), woo! Ohiopyle Pennsylvania turned out to be a lot more then I could have expected.

I came across it while looking for a place to camp while we checked out Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. Little did I know how much more we would find in the area! This tourist spot brings in millions of visitors annually for summer and winter sports and wonderful architecture. Who could have guessed it? A side trip to see an classic American structure would also lead us to a great hike and even better swimming!

The Kaufmann family commissioned Falling Water from Mr. Wright in 1935. The Kaufmann’s love for the Bear Run area in western Pennsylvania was the inspiration for Falling Water. This incredible structure captures the natural wonder of the area in an unpredictable way. Image, half the house’s square footage is outside in the form of huge balconies!

Mr. Wright made this home a sanctuary for the family, designed to bring people together with large social rooms and small bedrooms and bathroom to keep people from lingering too long by themselves.  And he involved the natural area in every aspect of the home. Made of stone, steel, and glass the rush of the water can be heard almost anywhere in the house!

Our visit to Falling Water was incredibly inspiring.  After seeing how the house just fit in as a natural addition to the outdoor space, I felt that this was the right way to live–as a part of the world not merely as spectators looking out a window.

My favorite part of the whole house was a stairwell encased by glass windows on the floor. The windows could be opened to allow in a nice breeze into the house and also acted as a passageway down to the water.

Mrs. Kaufmann enjoyed walking down these steps that lead to Bear Run’s stream to take her baths, even when the temperature got as low as fifty degrees! The large glass area in the floor really allowed me to imagine what it would be like for me to live in such simple yet complex home. Such a simple idea though so uncommon. I would totally be in the water everyday for a bath just like Mrs. Kaufmann!

Though we weren’t allowed near the water that ran underneath Falling Water, Ohiopyle has many more opportunities to take refreshing swims in the local water ways.

Across from the main street there is a park area over looking the impressive Ohiopyle Falls. The twenty-foot falls off the Youghiogheny River is a strong powerful force that easily shows off why it is was such a white-water attraction. The speeding water would be a great ride for anyone who is looking for an adventure.

Just a short walk up form the dangerous rushing water many of the towns people swim and play just off the bank. The small natural rock slides that have formed are great fun for all ages. The quick moving current pushes riders over small bumps and dips of the rocks.  The slippery rocks and strong  current was a bit intimidating for me though.

The park offered a multitude of different trails all showing off different wonders of Ohiopyle State park.  We took a hike through the stream bed of Meadow Run so we could get up close and personal with natural area.

Our hike took us to Cucumber Falls and then the two natural water slides in Meadow Run where many families could be found bumping along the smooth rock bed. As we continued our hike we found incredible pools that ran clear enough to see to the bottom and spot plenty of small fish. We wore our bathing suites so we got to take a few dips as we got hot in the afternoon sun.

Along our hike on Meadow Run Trail we came to an area of gentle rushing water that tumbled from rock to rock over of the Cascades Waterfall. It was the perfect place to turn back because this area showcased all the wonderful beautify we had seen through out the day, from small waterfalls to wild flowers griping on the rocks for dear life as water rushed passed them. I love all the changes we saw through out the hike, but the cascades truly capture the calm feeling of the waterway.

What a wonderful day.

Ohioplye turned out to be quite a surprise, we went in search of great architecture but got so much more. I was amazed by the wonderful sites of the falls, watersides, and pools. It is like one big natural water park! I had a great time discovering this area; I would definitely go back for another swim soon.