Signs we run across while traveling continue to captivate me. See some of our past sign posts from 2019, 2020 and 2022. We covered a lot of miles this year, and ran across quite a few signs along the trail.
The most common theme was “closed for the season”, this is not new for 2023, but you would not believe, no matter the season, how often that sign is put out as if it explains it all. I’m not sure what the season is, it seems to be year round, varying location by location, or even business by business. It seems particularly prevalent in places that collect money that the toll booth never closes for the season, but all the facilities that the fees support are very commonly closed for the season. Yes, I’m looking at you National Park Service.
We’re here to collect your feeJust don’t expect us to be able to keep the pit toilet and garbage cans open!
Anyway, here we go, some signs of the times, 2023 edition:
If you are ever in Waterbury, Vermont, Prohibition Pig has all the good stuffSo much was built by the CCC’s, In a building dating back to 1674You have been warnedSmokey, coast to coastCan you fish while you drive?I suppose it’s been a problem in the past“See you in the spring” Not sure when spring comes, it was April.See earlier rant…yes they still expected the full fee, and winter ended six weeks agoI suppose ponies aren’t known for their reading abilitiesA piece of historyWe visited several National Forests I never knew existedSafety First (except in times of war)For all the Elmwood huntersWe didn’t see a hill, but things are flat in S Carolina. We did find a great camp thoughGood timing for a visitBirthplace of Forestry in the U.S.I’m glad I didn’t have to board a horse when I went to forestry school, those things are expensive!A cure for every ailmentRecommended driveIt’s all downhill from hereI’m sure there was a pine at one timeSide trip off the parkwayThe hot dogs were worth the side tripSit on the porch and stay a whileI love game for food, but didn’t know you could grow them from seed, no mention if a knife and fork (or grill) are allowedNot sure the last time wolves roamed this gapVAWest VAJust a stones throw from the VA / West VA borderSounds like a nice road to live onMy favorite campground registration system. This system definitely beats the “online reservations only” in a location where there is no service.Sounds like they are seriousA somber stopEver wonder about the start of the American Red Cross?September 1862Yep, the theme continuesOver and over….And over… Sometimes it’s just not the right weather for an ice creamBah Harbah, MEI hope they have lobster (note: most restaurants it was not “the season” but we did find some at Geddy’sBest beer in Burlington, VTWe’ll be by to check your blanket spacingDusty’s Dog House, best dogs in the U.P.We had to stop, but it wasn’t for longYep, even the drug store in the most famous drug store was closed (not sure if it was due to the season)Where’s a president supposed to find a brew?Another history lessonFinally something favorable for a seasonal closure! Seasonal fees!Not much info, kinda niceSheldon was a good Memorial Day refugeCalifornia was our 26th state visited in 2023 (all in the course of 2 months actually!) We made it to Montana in August to make it a total of 27.Exploring in others footstepsPicture postcardAnother feature brought to you by the CCC’sThe Army Corps of Engineers confuses fire danger with steak doneness (I’ll take mine medium either way, I don’t care for a moderate steak)In the middle of it all, IdahoAnd finally, a stop at my favorite pub, a.k.a. the “little coast bar”
We’re already looking forward to hitting the trail in 2024, I wonder what the signs have in store for us?
