Thanks to my good friend and fellow Georgia roadgeek Russell Wells, here’s another variation of my proposed new Georgia welcome sign…

ExploreGeorgia.org is the state’s official tourism website, operated by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (formerly known as the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism).

That’s it for now. Thanks again to Russell for his input, and to y’all for reading.

For the longest time, I’ve thought that Georgia is long overdue for a “welcome”sign change.

Here’s my idea…

The above sign incorporates Georgia’s official logo, eliminates the previous wordiness of the current welcome sign, and gives a nod to Georgia’s history and desire for businesses to locate to our state.

… or for simplicity’s sake, here’s another version…

One thing I would definitely eliminate would be a sign saying who our governor is. IMHO, very few people really give a care about who a state’s governor is. Everytime we change governors, it costs us, Georgia’s taxpayers, money to go and change all those signs. If you’re curious about who the state’s current governor is, then visit the state’s official government or tourism website.

What do you think? Please feel free to post your thoughts.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading and please come back soon.

Hey, y’all! Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season!

Last night, Mary and I got back from our annual Christmas Florida roadtrip to see her family in Central Florida.

Last Friday, as we crossed into Florida on I-75, I noticed that something was missing… their ubiquitous motorist aid callboxes.

While their callboxes may be gone, Florida Governor Rick Scott assures the traveling public that after “500 years of history”, their great state is indeed “open for business” …

Above photo taken at the Florida Welcome Center on I-75 by Mary Williams.

While at the welcome center, I also had a very close encounter with Florida’s wildlife…

Fortunately, I didn’t need a callbox to summon help.

Last night, I posted a question to the AARoads Facebook page to see if anyone knew when they disappeared. Thanks to AARoads’ own Alex Nitzman of Florida, I learned that the Florida DOT (FDOT) has been removing all Interstate callboxes and that the removals should be completed by the end of January, 2014.

Here is the article from Gainesville, Florida’s, WCJB-TV (ABC 30) that Alex shared.

For FDOT’s statewide callbox removal plan, please click here.

With the widespread use of cellphones over the last 15 years, it’s not surprising that the 40-year-old callboxes are being removed.

In Georgia, only I-185 from I-85 to the northern outskirts of Columbus has motorist aid callboxes such as this one I took a photo of back in 2006…

It’s been over 5 years since I’ve traveled down I-185, but last I checked, the boxes were still there. However, it’s probably just a matter of time before GDOT removes them, assuming that they are still there.

I’ve never had to use a callbox, but as a motorist, it’s been reassuring to see them along rural stretches of Interstate highway. With their impending demise, it’s definitely wise to have a cellphone (and a car charger) with you during your travels. Here in Georgia, you can dial 511 from your cellphone anywhere in Georgia to receive motorist aid or check traffic conditions.

Finally, we here at GRG HQ in Atlanta wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season as well as safe travels. Please “like” us on Facebook, follow our “tweets” on Twitter, as well as subscribing to our blogsite, and we thank you for your continued support.

RIP motorist aid callboxes and thank you for being there for the traveling public.

P.S. Please share the love with AARoads and “like” them as well. I highly recommend them.