Orlando…My Childhood Favorites

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

Orlando is a beautiful city, isn’t it? The art! The buildings! The entertainment! The culture! 

I am a native and have lived my entire life in Orlando and Winter Park. I was born in a wooden house that sat on blocks off of the Orange Blossom Trail. It sounds scary because it turned rough, but it was a nice and homey place back then in 1951. We ran the dirt roads barefoot and freely visited people and places along the way.

Then we moved to Ollie Ave in Winter Park. My home was one house up from the Dinky Dock Park on Lake Virginia, a few blocks from Rollins Collage and downtown Park Avenue. I  survived hurricane Donna in 1960 in that location. When we moved there we enjoyed swimming at the park. The first few nights we were there, we kept hearing people calling for help across the lake. It wasn’t really clear so we didn’t call the police right away. When we did, we told them of what we were hearing. The officers just laughed. We were hearing peacocks. Across the lake there was an area of peacocks people would enjoy driving to, stop and feed the birds. They were beautiful but loud.

Then, we lived near the Winter Park sink hole. My dad once had a business in the building that was almost swallowed there. 

From the Orlando Sentinel

In May 1981, a sinkhole in Winter Park opened up gulping down 250,000 cubic yards of soil, five Porsches from a foreign car repair shop, the deep end of an Olympic-size swimming pool, chunks of two streets and a three-bedroom home.

On two separate occasions, I lived near Mead Gardens in WP. I have enjoyed this little park all my life. I still do. Just a peaceful little walk in Florida nature. Near that park is Leu Gardens. Another place to stroll. A beautiful place with many events.

Just around the corner from that is the Science Center and museum. Directly across the street from that is a nice art gallery that offers monthly featured artist and a sculpture garden. There is a lot of art and unusual little shops and cafe’s in that area.

And finally, not far away is Thornton Park, there are some quaint restaurants there and it is right next to Lake Eola Park.

Lake Eola is one of my favorite places to not only photograph, but be a part of the magic it has to offer. The swans and swan boats come to mind when you think of it.

 The mornings are spectacular with it’s light reflecting off the buildings onto other buildings and create artsy reflections in the water. I am awe struck by these patterns and can’t stop photographing the abstracts I see.

And of course the fountain with it’s changing colors and shooting water is gorgeous among the abstract collection of art and architecture. There are many birds and of course the white and black swans that swim so gracefully through the water patterns are all a part of this loved place. 

Lake Eola is such an inspiration for me as an artist and photographer. Below is a video I was inspired to create of the awesomeness of my childhood city I love. Come take a little tour with me and enjoy Orlando as art.

Welcome! I’m so glad you stopped in to visit. I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.

Tags: Dinky Dock Park, Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park, Meade Gardens, Orlando Florida