Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

I took a day last weekend to visit the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, located in Collier Township. There are three miles of trails that wander the 460 acres. It was a beautiful day for it, and the goldenrod and asters were abundant and bright.

I look forward to returning here with my daughter, as it has several areas that would be fun for kids of any age, including a sand pit, a huge sculpture of a fire pit that you can climb, and cute little buildings like the one above, which look like a perfect place to stop and read a book.

Jardins de Metis

Eastern Canada Road Trip 2019

The Jardins de Metis was one of our favorite stops on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. These lovely botanical gardens were a great place to stretch our legs and revel in huge lupine as far as the eye could see. For this alone, you should visit. But what really made it a must-see stop was The International Garden Festival, comprised of more than two dozen magical, interactive works of art that connect the viewer to nature in creative ways.

La ligne de 100 ans, hatem+d

This was my daughter’s favorite. You could actually paddle around this man-made flooded landscape.

Forêt, Ronan Virondaud, Mathilde Leveau

Ici et ailleurs, José Luis Torres

Le caveau, Christian Poules

Réflexions colorées, Hal Ingberg

This last one was my favorite, a large equilateral triangle made of a reflective green glass. I was fascinated by what was reflected back to me - a sort of hyper-real, over-saturated forest where I found myself looking back. I enjoyed walking around the exterior and then also standing inside. Every little movement resulted in a different view, with things like the aspen trunks or the foliage taking prominence and then disappearing.

We spent hours here, and I could have spent hours more. There are so many more art pieces that we very much enjoyed - it was like a playground that both children and adults found equally fascinating.

Pearl Fryar Gardens

Back in South Carolina

Mr. Pearl Fryar

Mom and I have decided on a new tradition. Each time I come back to SC for a visit, we select a mini-adventure from a stack of index cards we filled out and take off! This August, we headed to Bishopville to see the beautiful gardens of Mr. Pearl Fryar. He has been working on this creation for the last 30 years, primarily using plants that local nurseries were going to throw away. With his dedication and skill, he has coaxed these castoffs into whimsical shapes that swirl and bow throughout his property.

The gardens are dotted with fantastic sculptures made by Mr. Fryar, too. They are frequently uplifting and positive in nature.

If this place doesn’t make you feel like a kid again, I don’t know what will. It’s free to visit the gardens, which are open Tuesday-Saturday, from 10-4 p.m. You can park on the lot across the street, but please be mindful of Mr. Fryar’s neighbors and do not block the street. It’s free to visit, but donations are welcomed. And, if you are lucky like me, you might meet Mr. Fryar while he’s out working in the garden. He’s quite friendly and has a lot of knowledge to share.

Elephant Ear

Back in South Carolina

After my 7-week trip across the country, I still wasn’t done! No summer is complete without a trip to South Carolina to visit my parents. The elephant ears growing beside their back door were huge in August when I was there. They were practically glowing in the late summer sun when I took this.