Summary

Carol Labuzzetta discusses the importance and variety of signs in our daily lives, particularly during travel, through personal experiences and photographs.

Abstract

In a detailed exploration of the significance of signs, Carol Labuzzetta presents a personal narrative that underscores how signs guide, inform, and warn us in various contexts. From trail signs in Wisconsin and Maine to warning signs in national parks and cities across the world, Labuzzetta illustrates the critical role that signage plays in navigation, safety, and environmental conservation. She emphasizes the importance of heeding these signs, recounting instances where ignoring them led to negative consequences. The article also touches on the joy of discovering new places through restaurant and directional signs, and it concludes with Labuzzetta expressing her intent to write a follow-up piece on a special type of sign.

Opinions

Labuzzetta values signs for their ability to direct, inform, entertain, and warn, considering them vital for both daily life and travel.
She expresses concern over people disregarding important warning signs, particularly in protected natural areas, which can endanger both the environment and individuals.
The author is a proponent of following rules and guidelines as presented by signage, reflecting her background in environmental education.
Labuzzetta appreciates the aesthetic and inviting nature of restaurant signs, which can enhance the dining experience.
She hints at a personal connection to a specific type of sign, which she plans to explore in future writing, suggesting that signs hold deeper meaning for her beyond their functional purposes.

Did You See That Sign?

A response to Globetrotter’s January Challenge

Signage near the Erie Canal in Spencerport New York. We walk on a trail next to the canal when we visit. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

Signs are everywhere! They guide our lives daily whether we want them to or not.

Signs inform, entertain, warn, and invite.

The New York State Thruway has many signs guiding travelers across the entire state, such as we did in September 2022 when we drove from Buffalo to Maine. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

Signs are especially important while traveling, as they can tell you where to go and where not to go — IF you choose to pay attention to them.

They can prevent you from getting lost, direct you to a great restaurant, or tell you to be careful. We’ve seen examples of this during our observations of signs on our travels.

I take a lot of photographs of signs. So many, that I have to group them into categories to make any sense for this article. And, still, I might not be done. There might be a second, future post about signs — special signs not mentioned here.

But for now, I want to tell you about signs that tell you where you are and what you should pay attention to: trail signs, destination signs, and warning signs.

Trail Signs

Trail signs are vitally important when hiking. This trail near our home tells you which way to go depending on the season. It’s because some of the trail crosses private property and can only be used at certain times of the year.

Timm’s Hill trail traverses Northern Wisconsin. It insects and runs along, in some areas, the Ice Age Trail. It is a beautiful, quiet, and tree-lined trail. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

Below, I am pictured on a trail in Maine near a sign. We hiked in Acadia National Park where there seemed to be a lot of people and then went further afield to where there weren’t any people — on Mt. Kineo.

At that point, signs became important because there was no one around to ask for directions.

Author on Mt. Kineo in Maine. Photo by author’s husband, used with permission. © 2022.

The same applied to signs on the Pipiwai Trail through the Bamboo Forest on Haleakala Volcano. In addition to directional signs on this trail there, were several that warned us away from the edge.

Tourists have died on this trail and others near the Seven Sacred Pools that are in the same vicinity in Haleakala National Park.

Bamboo Forest Signage. Maui. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

Signs can tell you where you are or where you are going or document where you’ve been.

All Photos by Author. Trip to The San Francisco Bay Area and hiking through Muir Woods and the Zen Center. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2023.

My husband poses near a sign that tells us we are on Mt. Haleakala Volcano on Maui. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

We like to hike off the beaten trail. In Sedona, we went to Red Rock State Park. Luckily, there was a lot of signage there to keep us on track.

Red Rock State Park, Arizona. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2021.

Signs can welcome you. They tell you you’ve successfully reached your destination such as this sign in California’s State Redwood Forest.

Warning Signs

Besides informing you where to go or where you are, signs can warn. In my opinion, these are some of the most important signs and people should heed them for their safety and the safety of others and/or the environment.

From Left to Right, signs in St.Thomas, USVI, The Road to Hana on Maui, and at an exhibit in the Schonbronn Zoo, Vienna, Austria. All Photos, © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022–2023.

A sign we encountered walking on the trail to Honeymoon Beach, St. John, USVI. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2023

Despite the signage, people do what they want. I remember being on Haleakala in 2015 on Christmas Day for the sunrise and people ignoring the signs to stay out of an area with the endangered Silversword plant. There were signs, there was a park ranger enforcing the signs, and people still walked all over the area with these rare plants.

Silverswords need to be avoided while walking. They are endangered, rare plants. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

It bothered me. But, I’m a rule follower, so I pay attention to signs.

Some don’t.

I know I felt very bad for the park ranger that day and also very thankful that I was not one (my graduate education in environmental education provided this preparation).

Reading signs, and heeding them, can save your life. Pay attention!

And lastly, signs can point you to some great places to eat!

Tavern in East Aurora New York is a favorite place to have Beef on Weck Sandwiches. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

A restaurant in Minneapolis that is a favorite even though we’ve only eaten there once! © Carol Labuzzetta, 2023.

Restaurant Signs have to become you in and be inviting, like this one on the beach in St. Thomas…see you soon!

This sign was helpful because it is on the beach inside the beach bar on St. Thomas, USVI. Without it, we would have never known where to get our pizza! © Carol Labuzzetta, 2023.

And signs point the direction home, too!

They also let you know how far you have to go to get there!

I — 90 going through downtown Chicago at night. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2022.

Ah, yes, almost home when we reach Chicago (only five more hours).

Did you see that sign? It says Wisconsin!

Do you need more signs? You are in luck.

Check this article out by Victoria Hydes. She posts some funny signs and stays in Eurasia for inspiration. I held myself back from posting any signs from our recent trip to Budapest and other places we found ourselves in Europe. I enjoyed her post, as it is different than mine!

It’s All In The Signs

Some of my favourite signs

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And I had to share Marianne O’s piece about signs because she shares a sign that’s a take on a very famous painting that is from one of my favorite places and artists — Vermeer! Check it out — you’ll see what I mean!

Signs I Look For that Energize and Delight Everyday

Are you looking out for these, too?

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I hope I can post a second article to fulfill this challenge on a special type of sign that has meaning for me! What could it be? I’ll be you’ll be surprised!

Thank you to the Globetrotter’s inspiring prompt for January on Signs!