little brown sign

I was driving home from a conference/class today and was about 2 hours from nowhere...when I noticed a sign. "Kanawha State Forest" It was brown.

I think I love brown signs. For one, they're not afraid to look ugly. And, what's more important, they point you toward possible unknown adventures. The Federal Highway Administration websites states that brown road signs direct us to areas of public recreation and cultural interest. It could be a snow-mobiling trail or an art gallery...You never know what you'll get with a brown sign.

So, I followed it. 20 miles later, I had driven through a tunnel of orange and yellow leaves, past numerous trails and camping spots, into valleys, alongside a stream or two, and decided that I would come back next summer for the full experience of Kanawha State Forest.

Thank you, inconspicuous little brown sign.