GPS Drawing -McKenna Shaffer, Chloe Vande Voort, Maddy Betzen

This was a fence that we just came across on our walk that went incredibly well with our theme.

For our GPS drawing we started at Kenilworth Square. We decided follow litter that we saw on the ground. When we encountered the litter, if it was recyclable, we turned right and if it was garbage, we turned left. If we didn't see any litter, we kept going straight. As we started on our way, it was hard to find any litter as we were getting into the nicer neighborhoods near the lake. Once we got towards the student housing, we also noticed that there was much more litter on the ground. We started choosing the first piece of litter we found and basing out route off that because there was so much litter on the ground. We ended our GPS drawing when the litter lead us back to Kenilworth.

Doors Open Milwaukee

For doors open Milwaukee I took a tour of the S/V Denis Sullivan. It is the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner. Since I found out a few years ago that you can take sailing lessons on the ship, I've wanted to check it out. The ship was much larger that I had anticipated. Although the ship was build in 2011, it actually

looked like an old ship-- weathered floors, rusty anchors and wooden masts.

The crew were also available around the shit to answer any questions we had. I talked with a man(right) that was standing near the wheel of the ship. He told me that the ship is sailed to Florida, via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the east coast, for the winter months. It is a 2 month journey to Miami where the ship sits until April. Then the Denis Sullivan is sailed back to Milwaukee.

The overall experience was great. I had fun taking pictures and it was interesting to see all the different parts of the ship up close and personal. I even got to see inside the navigation room. Touring the ship has made me want to sign up for the day sail even more. The last one is Oct. 2.

Micro/Macro

One of my favorite places in Milwaukee is the Commerce St Area. I growing up I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors. When I moved to Milwaukee five years ago I didn’t think I would have that outdoor space I loved so much. I love the urban environment as well—being so close to amenities like shops, restaurants and the mix of modern and historic architecture Milwaukee has. The Commerce St Area is a mix of all those things that I love. Kilbourn Park and the River Walk are where I spend most of my days off during the summer. It’s a quiet area with a great view of nature, as well as the cityscape. I spend a lot of time taking photos, drawing, thinking and listening to music here. The object I would choose to represent Commerce St. would have to be a brick. I chose this object because a brick comes from the earth (nature), yet is urban and industrial.

The personal object I have chosen is some coral that I collected while on a trip in Costa Rica in 2007. This is important to me because whenever I look at the coral I remember the fun times I had on my trip with my friends. I think about sitting in the warm waters of the ocean, digging my hands into the sand and pulling up the coral. I don’t take vacations very often, and have only been out of the country this one time, so this souvenir is very special to me. The place in Milwaukee that I would relate this coral to is probably the beach. I go here pretty often in the summertime when it’s not too crowded. Being near the water, with the sound of the waves is very soothing and makes me think of Costa Rica

I decided to go to the Commerce St area for my intervention. My intervention was meant to make a comment about the destruction of nature/ marshes/ forests for the development of buildings etc. I chose the Commerce St area because this is one of the newest developments in Milwaukee. That area used to be marshlands until recent years. The area I made my intervention was on a retaining wall, near the Booth St Stairs. I drew wildlife on the wall with chalk—a deer, a duck and birds. I did this to make people aware that this area was once home to these animals.

Personal/Public

This is the location of which I learned something about a person I see daily. What I learned I will never forget and I will never look at that person the same way again.
It was a warm summer night around 8pm and a co-worker and I were going to BelAir Cantina for drinks and tacos. We were walking down Commerce St when she told me something personal about someone we both know.
I frequently walk past this location and each time I do, I think about what I learned. This exact location on the South sidewalk Commerce St. might not mean anything to the average person walking past, but for me it serves as the location of a memorable experience.

3 Days, 3 Ways- McKenna Shaffer

Day 1 Way 1—Biking

Biking is not one of my favorite modes of transportation, but I thought I’d give it a shot anyway. I dusted off my bike, Brenda, and set out on my trip. As soon as I had started, I instantly regretted my decision to bike. The first thing I had done on my initial walk, was walk down the flight of stairs that lead to the bike trail below Kenilworth. Since breaking my face was not on my list of things to do for the day, I cheated and walked my bike down the stairs. I biked on the trail for about a city block and then headed up the ramp near the intersection of Oakland and North. Biking up the ramp by Sil’s Donuts was very difficult. My bike only has one speed and my brain was thinking about one thing—donuts. On the route to the Marsupial Bridge I noticed other things that I hadn’t on my initial walk—things like traffic lights, other traffic, and hills. The Commerce St hill was pretty enjoyable. I didn’t even have to peddle. Biking up the path that lead to the Marsupial Bridge was easier said than done. “Why didn’t I buy a mountain bike?” I thought to myself. Upon reaching the Marsupial Bridge I reflected on my trip. I couldn’t remember anything interesting I had seen and I didn’t enjoy my surroundings. I was also reminded why I never ride my bike.

Day 2, Way 2 – Running

The next day I thought running would be easier than biking and I could enjoy my surroundings more. I found that this was neither easy nor enjoyable. 1.4 miles is a long way for someone who doesn’t run regularly. While running to the Marsupial Bridge I was more aware of things like sun and shade. The sun made me feel hot and tired, and the shade made me feel a bit cooler, but still tired. I also noticed a lot of benches and wanted to take a break at sit on all of them. My main concern while running to the Marsupial Bridge, was getting there as fast so I could take a break. I wasn’t focused on much else going on around me.

Day 3, Way 3—Driving

On day three I had obtained my father’s car-- a Mustang Convertible. I thought that this would easily be the most enjoyable mode of transportation. Since I was unable to drive on the bike path I started driving North West on Kenilworth St. I had forgotten about one thing—one way streets. After circling the block and heading North on Prospect I was on my way down North Ave. I had the top down on the convertible and was enjoying the nice day and the music on the radio. While driving I was more aware of things like speed limit signs, turn lanes, and pedestrians than my previous trips. To get to the correct side of the Marsupial Bridge I had to take an alternate route down Commerce St and take a left on Pleasant St. and then another left on Water St. Although this mode of transportation was the fastest and easiest, I found that I enjoyed the original walk the most. I was able to make more observations of what was going on around me.