Road Humor

While traveling, I often find humor in ads and on the road that I suspect no one else sees. (fish dressed in clothes is something that will always put a smile on my face) I'm not sure what that means, but I do know that I have a sense of humor not shared by most people. While on my last road trip, I thought about it and decided that irony plays a huge role in my sense of humor. My children will agree when they learn that the short story "The Monkey's Paw" is all about irony. Although Groundhog's Day is one of their favorite movies, they became very annoyed when I asked them "Have you ever read 'The Monkey's Paw'?" about a dozen times. That, alone, is ironic.
Sometimes double meanings of road signs strike me as funny. I put this one in the same category as "Soft Shoulders" signs along the highway. Dave says I need to explain the one above: "loose" and "fresh" have meanings associated with guys and gals. I just thought that was an appropriate pairing "fresh" oil (guys) with "loose" gravel (gals).
Several years ago, we had a referendum to ban billboards. Some "outdoor advertising" people decided it would be great fun to throw up billboards all along I-70 so they could be "grandfathered in"---hmm! Can't seem to find enough advertisers for those signs, now.
I am mildly dyslexic which sometimes colors my humor. When two roads near us were re-aligned (Henry and Schoettler), I suggested we call them "Hen Schoett" road. If these two communities should merge, might I suggest "Flemingo [sic] Park"?

Here's a truck we spotted in the "Bible Belt"---it made me smile.
Here's one that actually made me frown.
While I know he means to be patriotic, I'm sure he'd think someone walking on the flag would be insulting to the good old USA. But, mudflaps are OK?

Sometimes signs just fly by and I can't get the camera out fast enough. One from our trip to Texas was a sign for a store "Antiques and Belly dancing Attire." Sometimes it's two unrelated businesses signs that I find humorous "Birthright" and "Budget Motel $24.95" shared the same posts. Another one I spotted outside Warrenton, MO was for "Maze Auto Collision" And what did they expect in a maze?

Billboards along I-44 in Missouri, Part Two

I-44 through Missouri can have beautiful breath-taking scenery (sorry for the rainy day), but billboards often distract from the beauty. In order to be more accepting, I decided to photograph them down the highway and contemplate what the billboards say about the communities they are posted in.


OK, we do love our barbecue, pan-fried chicken and steak in Missouri. Old Route 66 criss-crosses the interstate in various places. . . ."Pleasure Zone" needs no explanation.


This section of the highway is near the turn off for Branson---the most wholesome, family entertainment you can find. It's only logical that Precious Moments is from this area, too. Russell Stover's candy is a Kansas City institution (western part of the state) and I just think the juxtaposition of the Army Surplus/Antiques and Adult Entertainment/Grace Covenent signs is interesting.


The last batch was getting near the Oklahoma-Kansas-Arkansas border (the western edge of the state). This was the first location of the Bass Pro chain (outdoor, fishing, hunting store doesn't describe it---Click here for more information), but we also have Sky-diving and Ozark souvenirs. Concrete storm shelters and "Look to Jesus" pay tribute to that section of Missouri being in "Tornado Alley" and "The Bible Belt." Now, there are two metaphors to contemplate.

Billboards along I-44 in Missouri, Part One

On our way down I-44 from St. Louis to Joplin, MO, I decided to photograph the billboards along the highway. I think billboards tell a lot about the community. So, what do these billboards say about that corridor?
I have to say at this point that several years ago I voted to ban billboards along the highways---I really feel they detract from some beautiful scenery. So, this is actually my attempt to make some sense out of them---letting them make a statement about society.
In defense of the scenery---it was a rainy day.

We used to see more of the barn roof advertising when I was a child---I was a little excited to see it. It's interesting that the billboard in front is advertising Missouri, the cave state.

So far we have celebration of a bandit's life, a cave, fireworks, Mule trading post, outdoors camping and river activities, Jesus, wine, barbecue---that pretty well sums up that part of the state. Below we have billboards for ATVs, Lake of the Ozarks, Jesus, Fantastic Caverns and army surplus (around Fort Leonard Wood)

But, this is the way it should look driving through there---billboard free. Such a beautiful part of the state, but so many distractions.

Going to Texas---Missouri I-44

All of these photos were taken from the window of a speeding car going down I-44.

I missed the water tower that said "Hot" next to the water tower that said "Cold", but I did get this one!

Some of the "attractions" have a real Missouri flavor to them.
My husband who went to school at Rolla remembered the grape vines.
But, that was long before the grapes were made into wine. Now there are several wineries.


The scenery is beautiful southwest of Rolla.
Around the turn-off for Branson, we saw a number of billboards for the entertainment there.
Speaking of entertainment, I enjoyed listening to my CD of IZ "Facing the Future" which I thought was appropriate for our first president born in Hawaii facing his new future. Click here to hear my favorite song on the CD.
One of these days we are going to do this Route 66 tour.
That would be the red dotted line that criss-crosses I-44.
I'm looking forward to all of the attractions like above---Gasoline Alley.
We spent the night in Joplin before heading to Oklahoma the next day.