First, thanks to all for the gracious handling of this request; your input is helpful and appreciated.
By following your hints, it occurs to me this category would have to step carefully on several issues, - and it therefore becomes quite narrow - and the theory of diminishing returns was looming. BUT:
Since you have been generally positive in your guidance, and since one Waymarker (capital W) has already signed on to the group (thank you Big B Bob), and since I have adequate textual skills, It behooves me to rise to the challenge and propose the guidelines here. Let's see how high this bounces:
-- READABLE FROM ABOVE --
This category seeks to waymark words that can be read in the aerial or satellite views of Google Maps. These can be painted on surfaces - (roofs, walls, natural surfaces) or created with landscaping materials (stones, rocks, shrubs), and can be the name of a place or company, or an advertising slogan. As an example, at N 40.287936, W 76.645497 you can read the words "HERSHEY COCOA".
To create a waymark:
1. A visit to the site is required, and ground-level photo and GPSr-obtained coordinates must be submitted.
2. The waymark must be complete word(s) -- no single letters or acronyms/abbreviations, (These are already recordable in the 'letters on hills' category) and no logos only.
3. The lettering must be visible in the Google Map 'satellite' view that normally accompanies the waymark page. If it is only visible in Google Earth, it will not qualify. (Note many of our low-bandwidth members do not have/use GE)
4. Please do not include or submit any 'screen grabs' from Google or any other mapping source - respect the copyright and the service provider.
5. Lettering must be permanent in nature. Seasonal-type lettering, such as corn mazes or hayfields will not qualify, because it might disappear the next time the aerial shot is updated.
6. Normal traffic wording on streets and parking lots will not qualify.
7. Please respect private property.
To visit a waymark in this category:
1. A personal visit to the site is required. A photo of the wording is required if it is visible at normal eye-level; otherwise a photo of the building/structure is acceptable.
2. Please respect private property.
Thanks again to all. Further input is welcome....Jim