DRIVEWAY THIS WAY

Doesn't it seem strange that the lettering is not on the mortar?

There it is--thanks for the arrow!

I'm here to help.

Stranger than the paintless mortar (someone was meticulous) is the gate blocking the driveway being so heavily fortified against passage, seemingly nullifying the helpful suggestion of the carefully prepared sign.

Yeah, and strangest of all, is near as I can tell, there is no driveway. To the right, outside of the fence is an alley. Just an alley. Oh well.

Is this a pretty old building? I'm guessing the no-paint-on-mortar is due to tuckpointing.

I've got no clue as to what tuck pointing is. The building is probably late forties.

It's where they repair/replace the mortar in old buildings once it starts to deteriorate--quite common in Chicago weather, but probably not required nearly so often in California (I envy you and your weather). A building that old probably was tuckpointed at some point, so that may be the answer.

Well, the feeling about the weather is mutual. I grew up in Des Moines, and I still go back to see sis and mom. I love going back, and I get all excited when some really nasty weather starts to brew. Our weather is boring. There is absolutely nothing like waking up to a new snowfall and that beautiful new landscape that changed overnight. Of course, there's nothing like being able to leave for a month or two when you need a change. That's why you need one place for winter and another for when you get tired of where you are at. Too bad I don't have enough money for that.

Agreed.

I was actually wondering where the arrow was pointing...seems kind of...well...odd! As far as the mortar, Doug is probably right, unless the paint washes off mortar easily.

 

Cheers to your sunny weather...we still have 2 feet of snow!

 

Dick

 

Oh, and I like the shadows in this shot!

Thanks. I don't think the paint wore off, because the lines are too clean and neat. I guess this shall remain a mystery. I appreciate your taking a look.

okay. am i the only one wondering what kind of driveway is up? the arrow is pointing to the sky. is this another kind of church? :-)

It really should be on a church. That's the only way it makes sense. But then again, I don't know of any religions that suggest you can drive your way through the Pearly Gates. Gives me an idea though. Hmmm.................

driveway, this way and your way. It all makes sense doesn't it?

If only it did. Thanks

What wonderful shadows to complement your great directional sign. I'll remember that word "tuckpointing" for future reference. I may have to have the procedure performed on myself someday soon.

I think I've figured it out...about the paint. The paint looks fairly new, so I'm thinking that whoever painted this wanted straight lines on a flat surface so they purposely didn't paint the mortar.

That's "nip and tuck" you want. Tuckpointing would be far too painful.

You might be right, but I don't believe that the paint is that new. Incidentally, that is not a gate on the right, but a solid fence. I'll assume the sign was painted before the fence was put up, because it would make even less sense once the fence is up. But one thing is for sure and that is that the sign maker was using poetic license with that arrow, because no driveway could be up there where it is pointing.

As usual Dave, great eyes for the unusual - great

Thanks a lot. I'm glad to see you stopping by. I haven't heard from you for awhile. Hope all is well with you.

My first thought was that the sign was applied with a stencil and paint roller and the roller skipped over the mortar lines. However on closer examination, the mortar is protruding above the brick in several places so that's not the answer.

 

The wall has definitely been pointed ( rather poorly ) at least once well after the brick was laid. You can see how the mortar has been troweled into spots were the brick had eroded away. My guess is that the sign is older than the pointing, most likely older than the fence and the alley behind was probably once used for parking.

I think you are right. Now, I'd like you to explain why the arrow is not only curved upward, but is tilted that way too. Was there some anti gravity force thing going on at that time?

You've got me with that one. Maybe they wanted to let you know you're gonna have to take a run at it and jump the fence before you can park ? or maybe the guy who did the sign had one leg shorter than the other or ....