PEARL FRYAR AND HIS TOPIARY GARDEN

Hilton Garden Inn
Titusville, Florida
September 30, 2014
As we traveled through country roads today from Rock Hill to Bishopville, South Carolina, we saw one real plantation home, 2 little deer in the road, and a very large dam structure which created a nice lake.  Two hours later we arrived at the home of Pearl Fryar, "star" of the documentary, A Man Named Pearl.




At first when he moved into the neighborhood, he was not accepted, but he used his artistic talents to create a fabulous topiary garden and won many garden club awards. The metal structures and fountains that grace the very large gardens display his talent further! He is a very humble man, and speaks around the country about his belief in people. Pearl has created scholarships to encourage young people without financial means to go beyond high school. We spent at least an hour in the gardens--I'm having difficulty uploading photos.




From the gardens we drove through Georgia and arrived in Titusville, Florida at 7 p.m. The cheapest gas was $3.03/gallon. Of course we stopped for our complimentary Florida orange juice at the visitor welcome center.


Our goal in Titusville was Dixie Crossroads, a favorite seafood restaurant! Red shrimp are in now and that is what Tim enjoyed. I had their fresh fried shrimp. Love their corn fritters dusted with powdered sugar!

ROCKIN IN ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA!

Hilton Garden Inn
650 Tinsley Way 29730
Rock Hill, SC




After 10 hours on the road we arrived in Rock Hill. The hotel is great-2 bed suite. After a short visit at the Flatwoods Fiesta outlet, we stopped at New River Gorge, West Virginia which has become a tradition.


Today's trip was not extraordinary--warm weather/70s--sunny. Light traffic until Charlotte, NC. We listened to a Greg Iles book, Blood Memory. Dinner at Chili's across from the hotel--very good!


MJ's Takes About TK: He makes great tuna fish sandwiches! And his driving was flawless today!

OUR FALL TRIP 2014!

On Monday we are leaving for Florida for several reasons--and of course one is to cruise! Our first stop will be Pearl Fryar's topiary garden in Bishopville, South Carolina. I saw him speak at Mercyhurst University a few years ago and have wanted to see his gardens ever since. He was featured in a documentary, A Man Named Pearl. Check out www.pearlfryar.com