"Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign..."

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign;  Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind;  Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"  
                                            (Five Man Electrical Band, 1970, lyrics by Les Emmerson)      

Like most who travel, we like taking pictures.  Spectacular scenery, impressive structures, man-made and natural monuments, and if you are a regular reader, you know of our penchant for taking pictures of quirky things (the Lunatic Asylum, for example.)

Signs are another favorite.  Some, like old neon signs, are artistic in their own right.  Some are iconic.  Some are clever or downright funny.  And some just make you want to scratch your head and say "huh?"

Herewith is a collection of some of the signs that we've seen and photographed both in the U.S. and abroad.

For years, on the way to the Lake of the Ozarks, we drove through the wide spot on
U.S. Highway 50 that was once the community of Useful, MO.  I suppose if you
were in need of a cemetery, this would be a "useful" sign.

Ever wonder where all of that stuff goes that the TSA takes away from you
at the airport?  It is for sale in an antique store in Eufaula, Alabama

Everything tastes better "on a stick" at the Illinois State Fair in
Springfield...and you can pretty much get "everything."

"Meramec Caverns" advertisement painted on a barn roof along I-44 in Missouri.
The practice began in the 1930's.  At its height, there were 400 such signs on
barn roofs in 40 states.  Today there are about 75 remaining.

Betty's Boots (or as the sign says, "Betty Boots"), Nashville, TN

This restaurant in Decatur, Alabama was recommended to us by
a docent at Burritt Mansion in Huntsville, and it was really good.
No, Cardinals' fans, it is not the former Redbird pitcher.

This street divides Bristol, VA (to  the left) and Bristol, TN (to the right) but
the street is actually in Tennessee.  I suppose both towns saved money by
erecting only one sign.  Wonder who maintains it?

The Ben Douc Tunnels (better known as the Cu Chi Tunnels) in the Cu Chi district of Saigon (now Ho
Chi Minh City) allowed the North Vietnamese to infiltrate the south during the war.  Today it is almost
trivialized as a tourist attraction with the addition of a restaurant, camping area and amusement area.

Wooden Indian in front of a cigar store in Wisconsin Dells. Native
Americans were traditionally used to represent tobacco stores
because Native Americans introduced tobacco to European settlers.

This one speaks for itself.  A little off the beaten path, but worth
a stop if your travels take you anywhere near Cherokee, Alabama

On historic Route 66 in Springfield, IL.  You may not
be able to get alligator on a stick here, but they claim
to have invented hot dogs on a stick.

Billboard in Nha Trang, Vietnam extols Communism and implies that everyone -
students, military, workers, the family - is happy under "the party"...

...while this billboard in Dalat, Vietnam, aims to get tourists to spend their U.S. dollars
($18 U.S.) on the big 30-item buffet for the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration

The driveway going into the Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe, Africa, has speed bumps and they warn you not
only to go slowly, but to go "dead slow."

Another opportunity to eat something deep-fried, in Saigon, Vietnam, makes
alligator on a stick in Illinois look pedestrian.  They were selling crickets,
fried or dipped in chocolate, but these pictures look more like cockroaches.

The El Don Motel in Albuquerque, NM, another historic Route 66 attraction

Here's one you don't see on roads in the U.S. - Elephant Crossing.
This was taken while we were on safari in Zimbabwe, Africa. 

Frisch's Big Boy restaurant in Columbus, OH.  The Big Boy franchises were operated
by a number of chains, including probably the best-known one, Shoney's Big Boy.

Gateway Sporting Goods and Bowling Supplies, Independence, MO

At Habersham, SC, a new "planned community" near Beaufort.  It doesn't say
"NO SWIMMING", but maybe that's one of the things that annoys the alligators.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, this store's "Department of the Obvious" obviously worked overtime

We saw this sign in a public restroom near the Angkor Wat Temple complex in Cambodia.
No Smoking - OK      Don't squat over the commode - OK       No showering or bathing -  OK  
But we still haven't figured out what the third prohibition is.  Any guesses?

Need a discount casket for use in the Useful Cemetery?  You're in luck,
just off the courthouse square in Independence, Missouri

A "no frills" warning, Texas-style, at Texana Park and Campground
(formerly Lake Texana State Park) in Edna, Texas

Las Vegas...we didn't go in to see what kind of "naughty stuff" they had for sale.

The iconic Las Vegas sign near the airport.  While it seems like it has always
been there, it was designed by Betty Willis in 1959 and sold to Clark County, NV

Made famous by the television show "Pawn Stars".  On TV
the shop looks pretty big; in person, it is very small and crowded.

This sign, supposedly historically accurate, was posted in the
window of a former "house of ill repute" on a street of bawdy
houses and bars called "Married Men's Trail" in Ketchikan, Alaska

We ate lunch in Mr. D'z, another of the iconic stops along
historic Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona

"Not recommended for tractor trailer trucks."  Of course not...
North Carolina 9 is reserved for Batmobiles.  (near Asheville, NC)

No name on the sign, but no mistaking what they are selling.
Out in the middle of nowhere, near Coralville Lake in central Iowa

Just a really cool sign for a shoe store in Aurora, Indiana

At the Petrified Forest National Park in northeast Arizona.  The sign is kind
of ordinary for a national park, but the "guard bird" is pretty daunting.

In Murfreesboro, Arkansas, near the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
"Come Get A Bite"

The Red Ram Motel in Ft. Scott, Kansas, just because it has a cool sign

This is at a rest area on I-10 near Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Unlike the
folks in Habersham, SC, the Cajuns feel compelled not only to show
you there are alligators in the water, but to tell you not to swim in it

The Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas is closed now,
but it had a great sign

Nha Trang, Vietnam.  We ate dinner in a restaurant on the bay, and there was
indeed, a sailing club there...the restaurant was part of the club.  What the rest
of the sign means we don't really know. 

In Bisbee, Arizona, at the Shady Dell RV Park.  You can bring your own RV
or you can stay in one of several vintage Airstreams.

Roadrunner Lounge and Steak House in Soccorro, New Mexico, now closed.
Maybe the Rent-A-Car company ought to change its name to "ACME" Rent-A-Car

Sunset Motel near Lawrence, KS...another great
old, colorful neon sign that still works

Tee Pee Motel on U.S. Highway 24 near Lawrence, Kansas

This is from some years ago, when the circus arrived in Union, MO.  Yvonne went to
watch them set up.  Here, they are getting ready to erect the colorful Big Top

In Bandera, Texas, Yvonne went into this store to buy a cowboy.
Turns out they only sell boots, hats and clothing.

All over the mid-South, you'll see signs saying "See 7 States From Lookout Mountain".
Here, on the overlook at the top of the mountain in Chattanooga, TN, this sign
directs you where to look to see TN, KY, VA, NC, SC, GA, and AL.

Not many of these theaters left, but this one near Independence, MO is
still showing first-run movies on its twin screens each summer night

This hot dog restaurant is on the courthouse square in Independence, MO.  We
can pretty much guarantee it isn't part of a chain - -at least a national chain.

The truly iconic Vegas Vic in downtown Las Vegas used to
be outside.  Now, the street has been roofed over, and Vic is
part of "the Freemont Street Experience".

In the same area, known as Glitter Gulch, the female figure has
been known at different times as "the Glitter Gulch Girl", "Sassy
Sally" (after a nearby casino of the same name), or "Vegas Vickie"

Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Most people think Coca-Cola was originally bottled in Atlanta, but it
was here.  The owner of this candy company bought Coke as a syrup and sold it at his soda
fountain until he hit on the idea of bottling it and selling it to tourists at the National Battlefield 

Wasilla, Alaska...home of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race.  Former Alaska Governor
Sarah Palin was the mayor of this town when we took this picture many years ago,
but at the time her name didn't mean anything to us.

Turquoise Tepee Motel in Williams, AZ...another of those great signs
along Route 66 from the "golden age" of automobile travel and neon.

The Winnebago Gift Shop in Wisconsin Dells, WI

The Eagles hit, "Take It Easy" says "...standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona..."
This is the corner and, if you look at the reflection in the window, you can see that
"...it's a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford, slowing down to take a look at me."

It isn't as slow as "dead slow", but they really want you to slow down.

And so, we're going to hang a U-turn and go out and see what else we can find.  We'll be back soon with more signs and more Road Stories.

Oh, Tannenbaum

Long before the advent of Christianity, the boughs of pine, spruce and other trees that remained green year around were hung in homes to ward off evil spirits and Illness.  Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god, and that winter came each year because the sun god had become ill and weak.   Evergreen branches reminded them of all the green plants that would spring back to life when the sun god regained his health and returned (which, of course, he inevitably did) bringing summer and a plentiful bounty with him. 

Germany is credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees as we now know them, when devout Christians brought  them into their homes in the 16th century.  Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, is said to have been the first to add lights to a tree.   Observing the star-lit sky one winter night, he decided to re-create that scene by adding candles, attached by wire, to the branches of his family's Christmas tree.

This stately tree graces the parlor in a Victorian bed-and-breakfast
in Hannibal, MO.  Yvonne and a long-time friend from college
recently stayed here during their annual visit.

While German immigrants had Christmas trees in their homes and communities in America as early as 1747, Puritan New England tried hard to stamp out the "pagan mockery" of the festivities.  In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts colony enacted a law outlawing Christmas carols and decorated trees, and making any event - other than a church service - that celebrated December 25 a punishable offense.  That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.

In 1847, the popular British monarch, Queen Victoria, and her husband, Prince Albert,  were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived.

This Victorian-era tree is set up in the parlor of Henry Shaw's home
at the Missouri Botanical Gardens (Shaw's Garden) in St. Louis

Another beautiful Victorian Christmas tree at Shaw's Garden

Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.

One of two Christmas trees in our house. This one is in the living
room, with a green tree in the family room.  Sophie relaxes on
the back of the couch, waiting for Santa Claus

And so, in this edition we share with you a few of the Christmas trees and Christmas decorations in our community.  But among all the glitter, we pause to remember the birth of a little Child in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.  We pause, too, to reflect on the blessings we have received in our lives, the blessings of freedom, of health, and especially the blessings of family and friends.  We wish all of you the most wonderful and joyous Christmas and the blessing of good health, a loving family and supportive friends in 2016.

St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Washington, MO has a wonderful holiday tradition.
Other churches in town, schools, businesses, civic organizations and individuals are
invited to erect and decorate trees at St. Peter's.  This year, 85 trees were decorated.

The public is then invited to view and "judge" the trees.  Each can of food donated to the
local food pantry is worth one vote.  Literally thousands of cans of food are collected
for the food pantry.  The creators of the winning tree get "bragging rights"

A lot of unique trees, including this one, with green lights in the shape of a
tree, with the area inside the lights completely covered in ornaments.

Or this one at St. Peter's, completely covered in butterflies

Of course, the most famous television tree of all, Charlie Brown's tree from
the holiday classic "A Charley Brown Christmas" is there at St. Peter's, too!

This tree represents "sweets", with cotton candy, gingerbread men
and lollipops. Note the canned goods piled underneath.  Each can
represents one "vote" for this tree.

In a nod to the opening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", the
Washington Public Library created this Darth Vader-styled tree

This unique tree at Yvonne's parents' house was created by her
Mom.  It is completely covered in little Santa Claus figures
from the 1940's and 1950's.  Each Santa is 2 to 3 inches tall

One of the trees at St. Peter's UCC has as its theme "The Twelve Days of Christmas".
This is a close-up of "Eights Maids a-Milking"

A tree at St. Peter's completely decorated in a "Fishing Tackle" theme

Close up of some of the details on the "Fishing" tree, including a lure (hooks covered
with tape), and a bobber.  The yellow and blue "garland" is nylon rope

The bodies of these hand-made "people" ornaments on this tree at
St. Peter's UCC are pine cones and the heads are crocheted.

One of our favorites, this tree at St. Peter's is titled "Heroes" and is
decorated with pictures of U.S. servicemen from WWII to the Vietnam era

Hand-knit "people" ornaments made by Yvonne's Mom have
a prominent place on the tree in our family room

Some more of the trees on display at St. Peter's UCC.  The one in the
foreground is hung with license plates from all over the Midwest.
It was decorated by a police officer and his family

This tree at St. Peter's is decorated in a Mardi Gras theme

This "Mizzou" themed tree at St. Peter's UCC was decorated
by the Mizzou Alumni Association of Franklin County

Close up of some of the ornaments on the Mizzou tree

A traditional Nativity scene outside of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington, MO

A non-traditional Nativity scene, created in the rear of a vehicle for the Washington
Holiday Parade.  The "float" was sponsored by a local bed-and-breakfast
A sign on the side of the float read "There IS room at The Brick Inn"

Another unique Christmas Tree, this one at a local shop called
"Not Just Cut & Dried", owned by another woman who
attended college with Yvonne

This tree at St. Peter's UCC was decorated by the Quilters' Club.  All of those ornaments
were hand-quilted and then stuffed with foam 

This tree at St. Peter's UCC was erected by a company that
sells radio communication equipment, including towers.
Santa is climbing a radio tower draped in garland and lights.

This tree at St. Peter's UCC is really striking, done in all
red and white lights, with red ornaments

A Victorian child's Christmas on display at Shaw's Garden

A Victorian Village set up at St. Peter's UCC in Washington

Close-up of one of the buildings in the Victorian Village

We were told that this village represents about half of the collection of miniature
buildings owned by the woman who set up this display at the church

One of our favorites - an enormous tree covered in electric blue LED lights on  the grounds
of the Missouri Botanical Gardens (Shaw's Garden) in St. Louis

The beautiful lobby of Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis features a 10-foot green tree
decorated all in red.  Santa was there visiting with kids attending the holiday concert

This tree at St. Peter's UCC continuously "snows"

 

The City of Washington Municipal Christmas Tree.  The Missouri
River can be seen on the left side of the photo  

A unique "upside-down" tree at St. Peter's UCC

More trees at St. Peter's UCC in Washington, MO

This tree at St. Peter's UCC includes a snowman built right on top of the tree

We happened to catch Santa gassing up his ride at a local gas station.  We have heard that following his busy night on December 24, he is heading out in his RV for some much needed rest, and looking for his own Road Stories.   

Santa fills up the gas tank...

...and gets ready to hit the road for a well-deserved vacation

We would like to dedicate this holiday edition of Road Stories to Yvonne's Mom and Dad, Tracy and Dorothy Brown, who this month are celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary...we love you.

Dorothy and Tracy Brown