Signs of Upstate New York!

People are often afraid of driving where there is a lot of traffic and huge highways with six lanes.  However, the roads of upstate New York are just as treacherous.  I would even say they are more dangerous.  Specifically because you never know what you’re going to find on the road up here.  Today, I saved a tiny turtle on the GO drive way, which I thought was not only humanitarian of me, but a great way to start my new project:  Signs of Upstate New York!  The one sign this region is missing is a turtle crossing sign.

Let’s begin with all of the warning signs of what might be on the road.  And the roads around here are hilly and windy, so you can easily run smack into something you didn’t see coming. 

Deer are actually a major problem.  Someone every summer hits one, and they’ll demolish your car, and you, if you’re not careful.  It’s part of orientation to warn the newbies about the deer.  Yesterday I saw a family crossing the street right by the opera.  It was a mommy and two cute babies.  Their bodies were smaller than Oscar with cute speckles, and their legs were itty-bitty and wobbly.  Adorable.

During our busy season, this is the most important sign for all travelers.  It's probably the most famous sign to anyone who works at GO.

Cow Crossing:  this is actually one of my favorite warning signs.  Several dairy farms have them because they have grazing pastures on both sides of the road and have to take their cutie cows across the dangerous path.

Below are some other warning signs that are around the farms and quite typical.

The snowmobile warning is hilarious because I’m always around here in the summer.  I also enjoy the qualifier that the sign is only in effect from Dec. 1 to April 1.  Let’s hope so!

The Costumer Conqueror asked me to take the above picture; it’s a sign I haven’t seen in years.  It brings a smile to her face every time she passes it.  I don’t travel the road it’s on very often, so it was a treat for me today as well.

One of the main inspirations for this project was the Amish of New York State.  They provide us with cookies, jams, cakes and other goodies, but they also create the need for additional signs, which I find delightful.

One of our favorite events up here is the Fourth of July Parade in Springfield Center, NY.  It is filled with local food including Brooks BBQ, unique floats, high school bands, and so many other spectacles.  As the sign says, “The Place to be on the 4th of July!”  Unfortunately, the parade is July 5th this year, and I’ll be stuck in rehearsal.

There are several hand painted signs.  Ryan’s grandfather was a sign painter/builder by trade, and the skill is still alive in NY.  I particularly like the Cherry Valley Sign.  The rest of the photos are a collection of signs I find interesting for one reason or another.  I wish I was a better photographer, but that wasn’t really the point.  ENJOY!