Subtle talking on the steps of the Church

Here is just a brief clip of the tourists talking outside of the church. I chose this clip simply because I loved the sound of the footsteps walking up on the stairs. I just decided to sit down out there because it was hot and sunny out and many people were out near that area so I decided to rest and see what types of sounds I could hear.

Steps of the Church Sound Clip

Noisyness and Quiet Stillness from the Gift Shop

This is from my walk towards the main church area. You could do one of two things if you want to get there. You could take the large amount of stairs or, you could enter through the gift shop area and head to the elevator. Needless to say I took the elevator and walked through a large group of people. It's slightly interesting to hear how loud it gets to barely hearing anything except the hum of the elevator later...

Gift Shop and Elevator Sound Clip

First station of the Cross

This is continued from the previous picture. This is the first station of the cross that I happened to come across. Two ladies were sitting admiring the wonderful detail that was on the statues. In the background you can briefly hear the kids from the picnic area still screaming as they play. You can also hear the low hum and roar of car as it drives away off in the distance. As well as the breeze from the trees as the wind passes through it.

Stations Area Sound Clip

Unexpected sounds of the Picnic Area

This map highlights some of the things that I encountered on my first recording. It occurred in the picnic area off of station road or Holy Hill Road, off of hwy 167 North from US 41-45 North. This picnic area is right before the Stations of the Cross and leads you up toward the main church area. Lots of families were playing around the area on this particular day and see if you can comprehend what language they are speaking...

Picnic Area Sound Clip

Holy Hill Map Overview/Hidden trail sounds

Overview of Holy Hill area. The areas in red are places that I recorded. The first is near the picnic area where families and kids were playing. The second was my walk up toward the church. The third was inside the gift shop as I made my way to the elevator. The fourth is on the steps of the main outside church area where many tourists and people hung out. And the last is of a small path I found that I decided to venture out onto. Here though, I give you a small sound clip sample of the sounds I could hear on one of the paths that I adventured into before heading up toward the actual Church...
Hidden Path Sound Clip

Brief overview...

I decided to go back to the Holy Hill area to see what sorts of sites and sounds I could gather. I have been to the Hill area numerous amounts of times during my lifetime and every time I have been there, I have been thoroughly intrigued by the architectural landscapes and the overall atmosphere that lies around this historic landscape. I'm not exactly sure when this historic church was built, however, I do recall my first time going there...
I was in fourth grade when I first attended Holy Hill on a field trip with my entire school. It seems that almost every Catholic grade school attends Holy Hill at least once. I can remember playing kickball in the parking lot as well as eating lunch in one of the picnic areas. I can also remember walking the stations of the cross and being amazed at the statues/rock coves that the statues were in. And the fact that these statues were located within this immensely thick forest made it seem that much cooler. I've been back to Holy Hill on a couple occasions as an adult now and every time I revisit it causes me to reminisce about my childhood.