From Michigan to Florida, the I-75 is dominated by literal forests of massive billboards that dot the sky. As you approach an exit, they compete with each other in an increasingly-cluttered sky, crowding out more natural phenomena like trees and hills.
These things are huge. I didn't have my ruler with me, of course, but I'd reckon they range from 50 to 80 feet tall. At night, they cast a neon-lit glow over the countryside as they scream their brand names across the otherwise-darkened countryside. By day, they lurk in otherwise-pristine mountain passes, ruining views that should otherwise be magical. There's always Photoshop, I guess.
These giants of the sky have to be planted somewhere. This one stabbed the ground smack in the middle of the parking lot of our hotel in Ringgold, Georgia. Don't worry, we didn't eat at the Waffle House. We knew better.
My only consolation as I stood at the base of this blight on the landscape was that all steel must eventually rust or otherwise degrade. By then, of course, humans will likely have moved on to another form of intrusive advertisement. God bless urbanity.
Photographic note: you may need to crank up the brightness on your monitor to see this one in its full glory.
We sometimes drive south to Seattle, and the massive signs are the most visible reminder that we've entered a foreign country.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they stop at the size they do, though? Surely, if 80' is good, 100' is better, and 120' or 150' is better?
Waffle House...who could forget the yellow squares with black writing urging you to stop in for a bite of artery clogging greasiness. You missed out.
ReplyDelete-Rebecca
Ohhh, Waffle House is a real experience! You must try the hashed browns: scattered, smothered, covered, and chunked. Grease? It won't kill ya to eat it once or twice! They will also briefly grill their pecan pie with a little butter on it. MAN, that's a treat. (yep, more grease!)
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. Thanks for a nice blog.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Pat
chattanooga