Lake Eola...

Basically, this post is just a picture overload.

I don't often get the chance to get all the cousins (my grandkids)

together at the same time for pictures so they love  generously give

their Nana time for photo shoots whenever the stars aline.

Lake Eola is an Orlando treasure.  It was the tourist attraction before Disney,

Sea World or Universal were built.  Growing up whenever relatives

would come into town we always went to Lake Eola and Gatorland.

(Gatorland..... the bad dreams of my childhood, but that's another story)

As a child we always went there for Easter pictures and 4th of July Fireworks.

Tradition.

So when it was a sunny cool day in January I knew that's where I wanted to go.

Thanks everyone for that adventure.

Lake Eola is right in the center of downtown Orlando.  Surrounded by old oak trees 

with long hanging moss, a mix between well kept older two story homes and modern office buildings.

Famous for the beautiful fountain in the center which has lovely color show at night and is

filled with black and white swans.  It even has large swan boats to rent during the day.

There are numerous art festivals and activites throughout the year.  A band shell for musical 

performaces and the Nutcracker at Christmas.  Sunday mornings bring a splendid farmer's market.

Also surrounded by delicious restaurants looking out on the lake.

The next time your visiting the magnificent Disney World 

  it's worth a little side trip to see the real Orlando.

the real Orlando.