Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Sound Trek 1 Overview
The trek runs along Lincoln Avenue from Lake Michigan in the East to the Forest Home Cemetery at 2oth Street in the West. Numbers on the map indicate points on the trek that have sounds associated with them and which are described in the corresponding numbered sections below.
1. Lincoln Avenue at Lake Michigan
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Theoretically, Lincoln Avenue terminates at the lake. although you cannot drive on Lincoln Avenue to get to it. At this location there is a fenced off landfill created from material dredged out of the lake by the Army Corp of Engineers. It is posted with no trepassing signs. The area has been colonized by native prairie plants, weeds, marsh reeds and birds who do not seem to mind the constant flow of truck traffic heading to the loading docks and driving on the highway overpasses.
Theoretically, Lincoln Avenue terminates at the lake. although you cannot drive on Lincoln Avenue to get to it. At this location there is a fenced off landfill created from material dredged out of the lake by the Army Corp of Engineers. It is posted with no trepassing signs. The area has been colonized by native prairie plants, weeds, marsh reeds and birds who do not seem to mind the constant flow of truck traffic heading to the loading docks and driving on the highway overpasses.
2. On the Edge of the Wilderness
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Just west of the lake front is a very busy trucking route and the I-794 expressway coming from the Hoan bridge. With all of this industrial activity it is amazing to find birds at home here.
Just west of the lake front is a very busy trucking route and the I-794 expressway coming from the Hoan bridge. With all of this industrial activity it is amazing to find birds at home here.
3. Traffic and Birds
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Redwing Blackbirds seem to be the most adaptible creatures on earth. They do not seem to be bothered by the constant stream of trucks that drive by their stand of trees, or are they? Maybe all of that noise is making them irritable.
Redwing Blackbirds seem to be the most adaptible creatures on earth. They do not seem to be bothered by the constant stream of trucks that drive by their stand of trees, or are they? Maybe all of that noise is making them irritable.
4. Overpass
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There are several elevated roadways running over Lincoln Avenue just West of Lake Michigan. This overpass is a main truck route coming from Jones Island and the lake front. It occupies one side of a residential block and creates a small park where neighborhoods walk their dogs. Watch your step.
There are several elevated roadways running over Lincoln Avenue just West of Lake Michigan. This overpass is a main truck route coming from Jones Island and the lake front. It occupies one side of a residential block and creates a small park where neighborhoods walk their dogs. Watch your step.
5. Transition Zone
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The sounds of trucks and birds mingle in the residential neighborhood just west of the lake and highway overpasses. Mothers can be seen walking their babies along busy industrial streets.
The sounds of trucks and birds mingle in the residential neighborhood just west of the lake and highway overpasses. Mothers can be seen walking their babies along busy industrial streets.
6. Peaceful Ghosts
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The sound of morning doves is soothing and eerie at the same time. They seem at home in the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood just West of the lake and the highway overpasses. Is the blackbird territory just too wild for them?
The sound of morning doves is soothing and eerie at the same time. They seem at home in the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood just West of the lake and the highway overpasses. Is the blackbird territory just too wild for them?
7. Wildlife II
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There is something about residential neighborhoods and robins. Do they still exist in the wild? They fit in so well with their soothing melodies and piercing calls that seem to mirror the temperaments of their human neighbors.
There is something about residential neighborhoods and robins. Do they still exist in the wild? They fit in so well with their soothing melodies and piercing calls that seem to mirror the temperaments of their human neighbors.
8. Civilization at Last
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Houses and apartments with yards need to be kept up creating another opportunity to enjoy the music of a gasoline engine.
Houses and apartments with yards need to be kept up creating another opportunity to enjoy the music of a gasoline engine.
9. Neighborhood Transition Zone
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In the residential area just East of Kinnickinnic Avenue you can still hear the sound of the motor as vehicles move from one interstate highway to another and into the heart of the industrial district.
In the residential area just East of Kinnickinnic Avenue you can still hear the sound of the motor as vehicles move from one interstate highway to another and into the heart of the industrial district.
10. Industrial Remnants
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At one time the sounds coming out of the factories would have been dominate as you walked along the street. Now you have to search for them. This factory is located between the river and a stand of box elder trees as if nature is about to swallow it up. Its steady beat is barely discernible among the street noises and the sounds of nature.
At one time the sounds coming out of the factories would have been dominate as you walked along the street. Now you have to search for them. This factory is located between the river and a stand of box elder trees as if nature is about to swallow it up. Its steady beat is barely discernible among the street noises and the sounds of nature.
11. Railroad Heritage
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Narrow footpaths now run through the grass and brush where the tracks of railroads once marked the landscape. In the distance you can still hear the sound of an active rail line like a ghost from the past.
Narrow footpaths now run through the grass and brush where the tracks of railroads once marked the landscape. In the distance you can still hear the sound of an active rail line like a ghost from the past.
12. Wildlife in the Meadow
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You do not have to get too far away from the avenue to experience a bit of nature along the abandoned railways and the Kinnickinnic river. Old cobblestone roads can be found overgrown with meadow grasses and the crickets that inhabit them.
You do not have to get too far away from the avenue to experience a bit of nature along the abandoned railways and the Kinnickinnic river. Old cobblestone roads can be found overgrown with meadow grasses and the crickets that inhabit them.
13. Police Sirens
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The district 2 police station is just East of I-94 on Lincoln Avenue. The distant sound of sirens often punctuates the cacophany of industrial traffic.
The district 2 police station is just East of I-94 on Lincoln Avenue. The distant sound of sirens often punctuates the cacophany of industrial traffic.
14. Lincoln Avenue at I-94 Overpass
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Lincoln Avenue is crossed by two interstate highways and several major trucking routes. The sounds of trucks driving by, starting and stopping is never far away.
Lincoln Avenue is crossed by two interstate highways and several major trucking routes. The sounds of trucks driving by, starting and stopping is never far away.
15. St. Josephat Basilica Noon Bells
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The commanding presence of the church bells are challenged by the sounds of the street. What must it have been like before the advent of the automobile and the motorcycle?
The commanding presence of the church bells are challenged by the sounds of the street. What must it have been like before the advent of the automobile and the motorcycle?
16. Humboldt Park: Children Heading to the Pool
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Humboldt Park is a welcome respite from the traffic and noise along Lincoln Avenue, but new noises are generated as people come there to play. These children are rushing to get to the pool which has just opened for the day. Can you tell what kind of shoes they are wearing?
Humboldt Park is a welcome respite from the traffic and noise along Lincoln Avenue, but new noises are generated as people come there to play. These children are rushing to get to the pool which has just opened for the day. Can you tell what kind of shoes they are wearing?
17. Humboldt Park: Children at Pool
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The swimming pool opens at 12:00 PM and at this early hour of the afternoon the day's activities are only beginning. Muliply the sounds you hear by 100 to get a feeling for what it must be like later in the day.
The swimming pool opens at 12:00 PM and at this early hour of the afternoon the day's activities are only beginning. Muliply the sounds you hear by 100 to get a feeling for what it must be like later in the day.
18. Humboldt Park: Crows
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Like the children at the pool, crows love to raise a ruckus, particularly if you invade their territory near the tall oak and maple trees in the park.
Like the children at the pool, crows love to raise a ruckus, particularly if you invade their territory near the tall oak and maple trees in the park.
19. Ice Cream Vendor near 16th Street
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You do not see ice cream trucks with loud and repetitive canned music in this neighborhood. Ice cream vendors travel on foot manually ringing bells or beeping horns as they push their carts along the street.
You do not see ice cream trucks with loud and repetitive canned music in this neighborhood. Ice cream vendors travel on foot manually ringing bells or beeping horns as they push their carts along the street.
21. Store Air Conditioner
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Even when there is a lull in traffic, you can hear motor driven devices along the street. This air conditioner is mounted over the doorway of a corner liquor store at 19 th street.
Even when there is a lull in traffic, you can hear motor driven devices along the street. This air conditioner is mounted over the doorway of a corner liquor store at 19 th street.
20. Street Sounds Along Lincoln Avenue near 20th Street
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These are some of the sounds you hear as you walk pass the shops along the avenue from 13th street to 20th street.
These are some of the sounds you hear as you walk pass the shops along the avenue from 13th street to 20th street.
22. Lincoln Avenue at Forest Home Avenue
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The cemetery located at the corner of this intersection is closed, members only. Like the landfill at the lake there are no trepassing signs posted at the gate. It is also surrounded by a chain link fence to restrict access. The busy intersection seems to be the only sign of life.
The cemetery located at the corner of this intersection is closed, members only. Like the landfill at the lake there are no trepassing signs posted at the gate. It is also surrounded by a chain link fence to restrict access. The busy intersection seems to be the only sign of life.
