As we speed along
Since I’ve moved to North Carolina, and even sometimes while I was in Texas, I noticed a number of roadside markers. I’ve always been curious about these markers, but as most of them have been on the highway, I decided not to stop. I’m not a fan of stopping on the side of a highway. There are too many people out there figuratively asleep at the wheel, with things other than driving on their mind, and my safety is not one of those.
However, one day, I came across a blog, Singular Images. Doug Stockdale, the owner of the blog, has put together a series called: Bad Trip – Sad Trip and it is a collection of images containing these roadside markers, all of them representing some a loss of life. For a few of them, he even knows the stories.
Since viewing his work, I’ve noticed a disturbing number of signs dedicating bridges and portions of highways to state troopers who lost their lives while doing their jobs on the highways of North and South Carolina, as well as plethora of these same types of markers.
Like any body of work, there are some who will like it, like myself, and some who will not. I tried to get my wife to view it, for example, and she was not willing. The images represent death to her. To me, however, they represent life, or at least a wake up call to realize that we live on the razor’s edge and that we are not promised the next moment, so instead of thinking about what we should have done (past), or what we need to do (future), we should treat each moment (now), including this one, as exceptionally special.
I’m not sure of what Doug intended to portray when he started this body of work, or what was his catalyst for even starting it, or for that matter, if his intention changed during the process. I only know how it affected me. Now, I notice more and more of these markers, seemingly every day. They’re easy to miss as we zoom along the highways and side roads at 50, 60, 70 MPH … as we head to our next destination, totally unaware of our journey, they, like life, are easy, so easy to miss.
So, thanks to Doug for a meaningful body of work, at least, meaningful to me. I know that he stops by occasionally, so hopefully he’ll drop a comment or two and gives his side of the story. Be sure to stop by his blog and have a look.
I see those markers all the time, too. They’re all over the country. I’ve always thought of them as reminders that someone passed through this world, and meant a lot to the ones who placed those markers there. They want to remember. They also are a wakeup call to treasure each moment. Hopefully they remind us to drive more carefully, too.
Talking about markers…what about a shoe tree or a bra tree….thoses are weird. Why would anyone want to hang shoes in a tree or bras. Will have to get some pic’s of them.
Paul, thanks for the kind words about the impact of my series. I do agree, some who view the series have had strong reactions, greater than what I anticipated or intended. Initially it was a documentation project of American Folk Scupltures. Then I realized the link to some past experiences, such as what I have shared about riding with my Dad in Arizona when I first noticed these as a young child. Now this series has changed to include a lot of different feelings and emotions, some that I understand, some I don’t. I have tried to write about each image, but sometimes the image is there and I do the best I can to creatively present what I can’t verbally discribe. Thanks.