Utica Ave

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I took a couple of buses -- and I wish I'd planned out the connections better -- to get almost all the way to Kings Plaza. This is something that I've never done before.

My actual goal was Flatbush Ave and Avenue S, which meet at the beginning of Utica Ave. I've been down around here to go to the Floridian Diner a few times, but other than that, this was always "No Man's Land".

Well, not, really, but it wasn't on the way to anywhere that we needed to go.

It's very industrial at the bottom end, with a lot of garages I walked around. After that, I noted the number of Family Dollar, Dollar General, and the like, along with the number of fast food places, such as Popeye's, Wendy's and McDonald's. Even a White Castle. It is a major road, but it was still surprising to see so many on the same road only a couple miles apart on the same four-mile stretch.

There really wasn't much to see when I started. The beginning of Utica at Ave S. The Floridian Diner a block later at Fillmore Ave. And then I'm standing on a triangle formed by Utica, Flatlands Ave, and Avenue K.

The mural in the next photo is on the wall of PS 326 on Ave J. A couple avenues later, I hit Kings Highway. I've been at this intersection before, coming a different way, so my deja vu has an explanation. After that, the elevated tracks belong to the future IBX railway, if that's ever constructed. Maybe in my lifetime.

The neighborhood changes, and there are actual homes on Utica Ave, not just garages or buildings with ground-floor businesses. After another hike, I made it to Empire Blvd where there is a distinct slope to climb. I'm rethinking the direction of this walk I planned out. I should've stopped at the White Castle for something greasy.

Finally, two photos of Eastern Parkway, where I caught a subway to take me home. Utica Ave is now finished.

And that's it for this trip. Come back soon.

Following me at @mrburkemath on Instagram for more timely images!

All of the above photos and videos, unless otherwise stated, were taken by Christopher J. Burke and are subject to copyright.

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