Here is my ode to the Trail, my favorite road in Orlando…

U.S. Route 441 is a north/south highway that runs over 400 mile long from the north border of Georgia down to Miami. For a short section in Central Florida, US 441 becomes Orange Blossom Trail or “The Trail” Though OBT technically runs from Tangerine to Kissimmee, FL most people consider “The Trail” the 7 mile stretch from HWY 50 in the North to Sandlake Road in the South. Lined with pawn shops, strip clubs, sleazy motels, and sketchy bars, The Trail is a hotbed for seedy characters and criminal activity. Over 75% of the prostitution arrests in Orange County happen on this stretch of road, one drive down the Trail and it will be apparently obvious why. While the Trail may not be a great place to hang out it still is one of the main roads in our city and one of the fastest routes to some of our major highways. People of all races, classes, and backgrounds walk and bike the street to their destination, something very rare in Orlando. Add this to the mix of eclectic businesses and the Trail just feels ALIVE. Driving down the street I always find myself rubbernecking as I regularly drove down OBT en route to my friends house off Oakridge near the south end. Eventually this led to U-turns and some of the bolder moments in my photographic life. Stopping on the trail and photographing various people became commonplace, it seemed like almost once every trip down the street. As the years have gone by I realized I amassed quite a few photos from the Trail and the blocks surrounding it. Here is my ode to the Trail, my favorite road in Orlando.