Silhouette signage in Vermont

[brianreynolds]

In my recent travels through Vermont, I noticed quite a number of old-fashioned hazard signs - you know, the ones that actually spell out the message in words.  I saw several "DEER CROSSING" signs, but fewer of the familiar frolicking buck silhouettes.  There were a couple of "CATTLE CROSSING" yellow diamonds, only one passive cow figure sign that I saw.  There were lots of "MOOSE CROSSING" warnings, but not a single silhouette of Bullwinkle.

Either Vermont gets more years of service out of their signage, or they were late in converting to the "picture is worth a thousand words" idea.  With the close proximity to Quebec, and the probability of some language-challanged tourists, I would have thought they would be eager to transition.

I did see one silhouette in Vermont that I have not seen elsewhere, probably because I spend most of my life in the flatlands.  In place of the old spelled-out (WATCH FOR) FALLING ROCK of FALLEN ROCK signs, the universal message is clear from the silhouette of the mountain, with big boulders in apparent downward tumbling motion. 

Maybe it was just my imagination, but those boulders looked similar to the face of the dear departed iconic "Old Man" from nearby New Hampshire.  This wouldn't be Vermont's way of putting an elbow into their neighbor's ribs would it?

--
Brian Reynolds
Hastings Michigan

[Alps]

The Falling Rock sign is present in many states, not just VT. Also, the reason old signs survive so long there is twofold: lack of hot, direct sunlight (being north and in the mountains, mostly) and lack of traffic (meaning less road debris kicked up).

[US71]

The Falling Rock sign is present in many states, not just VT. Also, the reason old signs survive so long there is twofold: lack of hot, direct sunlight (being north and in the mountains, mostly) and lack of traffic (meaning less road debris kicked up).

New Mexico has the Falling Rock picture signs, as does parts of Colorado. Arkansas, however, does NOT. Nor does Missouri, to my knowledge.