Driving RURAL ARKANSAS: The Crazy Things I Saw

[@priscillatrudell3022]

Oh wow...this is such a neat video. The antique shop at 18:50. That is my family home and yes that is my mom's shop. If anyone is going down hwy 270, you should stop. She has lots of cool things in there. Hours are a little spordic, but if you catch her open you might just find something cool. Arkansas has lots of hidden gems!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Totally agree. It's a fascinating state!

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

Looked like there was a little old cabin in the background with a stone chimney and a later addition.

[@charleshouse5541]

Lord, I've traveled this entire nation as a long distance trucker for 40 years and have seen decay everywhere around our great country! No where greater than inner cities where the brightest minds and most money thrives but changes nothing. As opportunity left us to move overseas, and certainly not to help other nations own peoples, we in the rural areas throughout America suffer! The south has always been the poorest among all states and it's evident in your videos that's not getting better. I'm very glad you see fit to bring attention to the plight of all Americans, I'm very sure that even within driving distance of your own home as well is evidence of this, I look forward to that video, we are all in this together after all. Thanks, Be safe.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the excellent comment, Charles.

[@randallbeasley646]

The downfall started with the Clinton administration and his one world BS

[@sharonhatfield6646]

I too, am a 40+ year long haul trucker, who only in the last 3 years have gone local... (in Northern Indiana)...I have seen many of the places in all these videos when they were alive and thriving places to live...it brings tears to my eyes to see how they have devolved...especially my favorite state, Arkansas.

[@charleshouse5541]

@@sharonhatfield6646 yes, your right. Im actually hoping in january they give us absolutely no choice but split. Take our 26 red states and run like hell to regroup. As a trucker I'm sure you've noted the insane rate of infrastructure building in these states and a steady increasing migration of assets and people leaving blue areas. One things certain, we ain't never going back together to anything worth having as a country. Be safe now! Back out.....

[@VVeremoose]

​@charleshouse5541 drive safe brother. I'm an Arkansan, and I have nothing in common with a Californian or New Yorker who chooses to stay in his current state.

[@kathyturner]

FYI. In rural Arkansas everything closes at noon on Saturday and are closed on Sunday.

[@froztyb]

That's how it's supposed to be aint it? lol

[@maggiemae7539]

@@froztyb no. Closed on Saturday. Open on Sunday

[@johnf1121]

stuck in 1964, the way lazy people want to live

[@codiwonkanobi9788]

Arkansas is the coolest place I've ever been. The mountains are awesome.

[@pamelabugh1812]

You chose one of the poorest areas in Arkansas to explore. Many of these small cities were thriving prior to NAFTA. When large businesses and industries left the area and moved to places like Mexico, people lost jobs and incomes are were forced into poverty. Judging by the architecture....The building in Sheridan that appears to now be an antique store was most likely a movie theater at one time.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It may be poor, but it's also fascinating. and there's lots of charm and quirkiness as well. I really liked it there, far more than boring big city suburbia.

[@pamelabugh1812]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip There is definitely charm....and awesome "down home cooking" in the small family owned restaurants.

[@alisonl5127]

@Jean-Philippe Rameau There’s not just one issue to blame, it’s a combination. The large corporations taking over caused a lot of the mom & pop businesses to fail, jobs were moved oversea’s, drugs, etc….

[@pamelabugh1812]

@Jean-Philippe Rameau When Bill Clinton became President he said "Go big or go home" and turned his back on the small farms and mom and pop businesses in Arkansas in favor of the big 3....Halliburton, Walmart and Tyson. Then he pushed NAFTA which drove the factories away. Bad decisions from a bad President destroyed Arksnsas. The drug "epidemic" across America seems to be a way for the people to cope....especially with the Administration we have now.

[@pamelabugh1812]

@Jean-Philippe Rameau It's one thing to Trade goods made in the United States for goods made in other Countries....But the so called "Free Trade Agreement" is an excuse for Companies to move out of the United States with no consequences. These businesses make a fortune from goods being produced by workers that are paid very low wages with no Labor Unions backing them up, and in some places (like China) they use slave labor. Tariffs keep the Countries that take advantage of us in check, but unfortunately Politicians with financial gains let them slide. It's easy to say "Why don't these people go to work and start their own businesses?" But it takes money to make money and unfortunately these people can't afford to start a business in the first place. Look at America now....It kinda sucks when the Government quits helping the farmers and small business owners and chooses to spend trillions of dollars paying Student Loans for privileged individuals. Yes....There is something wrong with our Country.

[@ennuiblue4295]

You're living my dream 🌈 thank you for taking us to see all these forgotten places and be safe! Cheers

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for watching, ennui! :)

[@hannahgibbons4914]

I’m a native Arkansan and just recently took an hour and a half drive through the Boston mountains along Hwy 21. I’ve been through the Smokey mountains of Tennessee and I was in awe at the beauty and similar winding roads. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the pig trail (Hwy 23) but I think Hwy 21 has a lot more beauty. I thought of your videos as I was traveling through. Only having been to southern Arkansas a few times, I will say it’s a whole another world. I feel Arkansas is split into 3 different worlds, Mountainous, flatland, and down south.

[@gregkerr725]

As a sporting goods salesman I found that even though in some areas of Arkansas you'll see some amazingly poor houses in disrepair, don't be fooled all the time because if the occupants hear ducks flying over in season they're bound to run outside firing top of the line expensive shotguns at the ducks. The outside of the house may be an exaggeration...but of all the 50 States we sold product to, Arkansas, usually in the top three poorest states bought more high dollar shotguns than any other state!

[@wesmalone3094]

That's how we roll. Lmao

[@ringonor4298]

Just doin fine.

[@jonsue6]

Food for thought lol

[@billkaldem5099]

We do believe in the 2A

[@frankmartin8471]

The folks have their priorities, and the arts and architecture are not among them.

[@Serenitybellomy2025]

You are actually doing a very good thing. Getting all these places on video and on the internet. It preserves history in a way. Those of us that have been there 30 years ago can see just how things have changed and the newer generations can get a glimpse of the past that once was. I have some suggestions you should try. Paragould, Arkansas, Cardwell, Missouri and Osceola, Akansas.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for that, Gary.

[@bambi8263]

Ozarks has the beautiful mountains, Morrilton has the old train station as well as the same old buildings that have been standing for a while, Little Rock around 12th Street area where a lot of jazz and blues musicians played, hot springs where you have the greatest hot spring water.... Arkansas is actually very nice place to visit I still love it...

[@49558201]

Rising Star , Texas ... sad , the weedy , old nursing home was a hospital in 1951 ...

[@julietaylor831]

I'm from Arkansas but you can find that type of scenery anywhere not just Arkansas!

[@vickiwood9192]

I'm a life-long Arkansas. Yes, we have more than enough poverty, hopelessness, and ignorance. Some people live in those dilapidated eyesores because they have no initiative to do better. Others live there because they have no choice. Many are older people in poor health who are raising grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Or single mothers struggling to feed their children. I taught school in Arkansas for 35 years, and I've met many of those people. Their stories are heartbreaking. Sadly, all fifty states have "pack rat" homes and "Deliverance" neighborhoods.

[@danielspicer2359]

Aren't you just a breath of fresh air.. You don't really like yourself. A true Arkansan doesn't talk down on the place they came from.. Decent people have enough integrity to not use words like ignorant. How are you a great intellect, I'm curious..? What do you know that's a fact?

[@vickiwood9192]

@@danielspicer2359 I apologize that my choice of words offended you. I wasn't trying to be offensive. I used the word "ignorant" in its true meaning--lacking knowledge or information. Unfortunately, many people nationwide, including Arkansans, lack knowledge and information about how to get the help they desperately need. As I said, I worked many years with overwhelmed grandparents and single mothers. I did what I could to help. I gave my students and their parents/grandparents my very best every day. I am not ashamed and I will not allow you to make me feel ashamed. I was offended by this video. I heard Lord Spoda claim he was not being judgmental of what he saw, yet he used words like pack rats in regard to homes and Deliverance in regard to neighborhoods. Again, I apologize for offending you. I won't do it again. I won't be watching this channel again.

[@tracyphillips3325]

Hi Vicki! I'm a life long resident of Arkansas. Proud to call it home. My wife is s teacher. 😊

[@susanspickes2833]

I too am a life long Arkansan that took offense to this video....all he did was criticize areas where my family is from. Ancestors up to still having a lot of family who still live there. I grew up around this part of the state. I am so offended by this video!

[@jackburton4892]

@@vickiwood9192 You don't need to explain yourself Ms. Wood. We know exactly what you meant. Buildings in disrepair are not unique to Arkansas. It's such a beautiful state with nice people. And that is what I took from your comment. God bless Arkansas, from Texas.

[@RisingEdge111]

Beautiful scenes. I love the disheveled look of the countryside. I am country thru and thru. We don't strive to be perfect nor do we want to be. I live in the countryside but not in America. Thanks for posting.

[@empressluv2521]

I am from California and I currently live in Warren Arkansas Population 6003...Not too far from any of the towns you viewed... There's so much more ...I 45 mins to Pine Bluff daily for work and in between my town and Pine Bluff there's so many beautiful homes and beautifully taken care of huge stretches of land..some pack rats in between like any place you go...I live in the actual town where the Lumberjacks high school is, and I bet that pay phone works....These communities have basically no crime, the ppl of the communities actually help each other...The beauty of these places is that you truly own your land and can do as you please with it....Other places you pay half a million for a home with a false since of security that you own...You own the structure not the land it sits on, this why you pay property tax not land tax....all that hard earned money to be told what you can and cannot do with even the color of "your home"...I love where I come from, but I respect land ownership ✨

[@slackjawedyokel1]

Lots of California transplants moving to Arkansas -luckilly most new comers are treated better than the oakies and Arkies were treated during the dust bowl migration

[@empressluv2521]

@@slackjawedyokel1 I don't know who you're calling a transplant...I migrated here by individual choice, also my ppl are originally from the South... I'll just take that insult as a lack of proper verbiage and context 😎

[@slackjawedyokel1]

@@empressluv2521 Princess -actually I had typed in the term immigrant then thought it might be offensive -so I used the term transplant --amazed someone could be so easily offended -- but yet here you are -

[@Daytripper58]

Arkansas, as a whole, has a high crime rate

[@billkaldem5099]

@@Daytripper58 mainly little rock and crime bluff

[@joycelebaron2582]

So interesting. Some people don't want the town or county to tell them what to bleepity bleep do with their bleeping property and I guess the town enforcers are too tired to deal with it. So interesting though because when I bought my first property when I was young and realized what the taxes were, I had the same ideas! I didn't think anybody had the right to tell ME to mow my lawn or what "I" could put on my property. I really didn't even think anybody had the right to tell me to vacate the premises if I didn't pay my taxes. I had a lot of growing up to do back then, I'll tell you that.

[@nicholasshade]

It takes a strong person to admit they had some growing up to do. That's something I will never do.🌻🖤

[@hadleymanmusic]

These poor people man rural has no opportunity

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

Sometimes the thoughts and beliefs when we are young and naive make the most sense. It's the conditioning we receive from the governments in this country that make us into the debt slaves we all are.

[@kalanhitchens8782]

I live in ponca Arkansas and it is the most beautiful place I've been. Has to be one of the top few. Ozark mountains, Buffalo River etc. I love that no one really knows about it

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Well, I'm going to have to visit there, then!

[@tg580]

Ponca is really nice. Thought about moving up that way a few times. There’s a huge difference between South and North Arkansas.

[@kalanhitchens8782]

@mkim1132 it's a little more than that now, but it's such a small place and not really accessible in a lot of the town. It's so damn beautiful

[@r.peebles3290]

@@tg580 Yes, the South is much better.

[@janinedahl-labbe9220]

I've lived in Newton County arkansas for many years I know Ponca well . I is very beautiful there so close to the Buffalo River, Kyle's landing , we are lucky to live here❤

[@itsamaggooful]

We would love to see you climb out of that brand new bronco and come knock on a door and tell us how great our area is. Hell id pay good money to see you use that pay phone...it actually works and furthermore the phone book under has a directory we use. Arkansas people are kind and welcoming. Just give us a shout

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I talked to many people in the area. I was there for 3 days. I spent lots of money.

[@otonielmurillo746]

This is a beautiful video where we could all get our own conclusions and curiosity of how it'd be to live there or never. Very worth it to study it Thank you please keep going..

[@PolkRidgeAesthete]

The rough road proved to be one of my very favorites of the stretches I've encountered in your documentation so far. Thanks for braving it! I find surcharging poetic rewards in such areas, and have sought them out many times in territory both entirely new and partially familiar. I've encountered places in *real* isolation in the Missouri Ozarks that more than hold their own in raw, defiant, junk-woven strangeness with anything seen here; and in east Kentucky, I know some wildly raucous, baroquely junked-packed hollers that take the theme considerably further. Long ago this image-world became thematic in my terrain wrangling, and often enters both my visual art and writings. I hope you never compromise your penchant for such documentation and deeply memorable adventure. ---David Thomas Roberts

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, David!

[@PolkRidgeAesthete]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Ever welcome!

[@hazmatt3250]

God protect you for going to Pine Bluff. I live up in Conway and any time I travel to Pine Bluff I make sure I’m carrying. But yes Arkansas has a lot of history to it. Some people call it trashy, but I honestly believe a lot do the rundown buildings give the state some personality. Wouldn’t trade my Arkansas for anything.

[@bobbybrowntown592]

Right he was all worried before he got to pine bluff 🤣

[@fartisciarogers1993]

Lots of people come to Pine bluff with no problem I also carry when I go to Little Rock and Conway you can be anywhere and something happens I have family in all 3 places

[@johnf1121]

If you have to "carry" to go anywhere, maybe it's time to move,, Sarah Huckabee Sanders should be sooo proud !

[@kennethkendrick4795]

Most intriguing. Your series certainly makes me realize just how much I take for granted. Thanks for your hard work.

[@nifto7035]

I drove through there yesterday. Going to Sheridan from Beautiful Hot Springs,Arkansas.

[@andaway371]

The antique store in downtown Sheridan is the old Rex theatre the crumbling overhang is what’s left of the marquee

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. I can see that now.

[@ljefferies2012]

Northwest Arkansas is worth checking out as well. Very very different from the southern part of the state.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You’re right. I have driven through it. I will be doing a video of that area in time.

[@hazmatt3250]

I work for the state and there’s such a huge personality shift when working with people from different parts of the state.

[@johnf1121]

@@hazmatt3250 yeah from dumb to dumber! LOL good luck

[@dfuller81]

They pronounce Poyen “po-en.” All twelve people there are gonna be pissed.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Lol!! 😀

[@susanspickes2833]

Yep and the one very famous one that is from there 🙂

[@curtisjohnson5819]

I have been all over Arkansas . Always makes for a nice ride .

[@doem7016]

WOW Spoda you’re in my neck of the woods again when l was younger l went there Pine Bluff Little Rock OMG love riding with you boy dose that bring back memories WOW stay safe, what a ride 👍🏾👌🏾🤗🤗👋🏾🇺🇸

[@mmm7m672]

Arkansas hasn't changed much since you shared your video. We lived here in this area for about 8 years when I was a child. Beautiful country though & so many creeks & springs down in the woods. Tyvm much for the video & God bless

[@elenagill-yn7sw]

Absolutely charming - calm and cool - teller ! ♥Charming - with the great sense of humor ! Thank you, total enjoyment... I live in Arkansas, in the civilized part of it.

[@RonaldLarsen-z6j]

I would like to see the town of Hartford. My family was raised there.

[@MrBulbul53]

I am from India. I worked as visiting professor in University of Arkansas during the summer of 2005. I like lakes and Ozark. The place is really cool.

[@hoopty.]

The reason a lot of those stores aren't open is because most people that don't shop online, is probably at Walmart, home Depot, dollar general etc etc. Those stores killed mom and pops business. Sad.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're absolutely correct. And it is sad.

[@disguy666]

True and the Quarantine finished them off

[@kristiejones2054]

No those stores have not been "open" in a good number of years...couple of decades at least. The buildings are owned by the business owners. They are left as they are for the esthetic value. Historically accurate window dressings and during the holidays and timber fest majority of those stores doors are opened to the public. Some local vendors will set up booths, the car shows are held there outside those buildings also. Parade route runs past those buildings too.

[@Rockk12]

You drove past my house in the video. That gas station is called southern fruit. They have some pretty good sandwiches in there.

[@IamP3ngu1n]

Thanks for your Posts ! 👍Some of the places you've ventured into...I would have never gone.

[@johaines2214]

I am appreciating your time and videos. Thank you.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Jo! :)

[@shawnacothran3075]

I lived in Arkansas for 25 years. Moved away and I miss it very much. It is one of the most natural beauty of any state. Ozarks mountains. Clear Creeks and streams.

[@toffiemokka7163]

I always look for street lights, sidewalks and curbside! Thanks for sharing 👍🏾

[@txtamaman]

For several days I've been stuck on your channel.. it's great thank you... my family lives in and around Weiner/Jonesboro... most of my family is gone and this trip down memory lane I have been traveling you has been so awesome... I've been to or through most of these towns. Thank you!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool!

[@markmcc78]

LS, your videos are awesome! keep up the great work. Sometimes its the abandoned spots in plain sight that are the real gems. That building @9:24 is amazing!!! I would buy a print of that and frame on wall! I used to work in southern lumber industry, some of the towns you visit, I've been to, but didn't have a smartphone to document 20 yrs ago. Thanks again

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words, MGM. :)

[@10gallons]

This is a good reminder for lifelong city slickers that America is diverse in so many ways. Thanks for taking us on these roads. Shout out to the Bronco too! It's getting the job done!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You are so right!! :)

[@rhondatanner1157]

Pine is Arkansas state tree.we have alot of pine trees always smells so good

[@ozarkianbeauty]

You need to come visit Northwest Arkansas/Fayetteville. We're in the Ozark Mountains and it's absolutely booming here!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Next spring. :)

[@vdemoor9844]

Happen to love Arkansas. Unique state and people.

[@CCGem]

Lived in the Ozarks for 3 years. Dog Patch. After theme park went defunct, it's original name came into play - Marble Falls. Amazing people. But clans and drugs are very, very real. This city gal learned alot!

[@jimmyday9536]

Cheers from Baltimore MD! We love your videos of your travels off the beaten path. As for these poverty towns, I would wager that nearly everyone has a cell phone and Internet, even if they don't have running water. BTW....the West Virginia State Flower is the satellite dish!

[@johnf1121]

sorry the west virginia flower is the Percocett ! LOL

[@nclare7]

I'll never understand why or how people can live with all that junk in their yards. Wouldn't they feel so much better if it was cleaned up. I understand poverty but trash in your yard, especially your front yard is just depressing. The way people live confuses and amazes me.

[@hoopty.]

They do not look at it as junk. That is their belongings, and it's their way of life. It's a fact, people live different. Honestly, that is what makes America great.

[@nclare7]

@@hoopty. I disagree. If that way of sloppy, piggish living is what makes America great then that is very sad. I understand SOME of it may be “belongings” but some of it is also just garbage. True garbage, and it should be cleaned up.

[@hoopty.]

@@nclare7 True , about the trash. I don't understand that. That is the way those people choose to live tho. It's great that they have lots of land in the country, to be able to live that way, so they do not have to come to the more populated areas with the garbage. I wonder does those areas even have trash collection.

[@pamelabugh1812]

@@hoopty. Many of these small towns in rural areas don't have trash collection and the residents burn their trash. Some have specific days for burning so there is less smoke.

[@rljacks1]

I do believe some people judging others and they way the live, is quite rude and an insight into their thinking...hmmm 🙄. Definitely uppity a wee bit! As we like to say: If ya don't like it, leave. 😊. ✌️❣️😘

[@laurenweaver7073]

These little towns are usually small towns that surround the bigger areas. It looks like in this particular area there had been a tornado, which is why there were a ton of piled up lumber and scraps and Porter potties. These were probably used after the storm. There are absolutely beautiful places with rivers or lakes with a ton of scenery. You can see beautiful neighborhoods and nice schools and a ton of places to eat and drink. We all have our own tight knit community. This town looks like one you may have to go through in order to get to a nicer destination. But these little towns are usually from people that are content where they are or they just want to be on the down low.

[@mindynorris5354]

I love my state. It is called the natural state for a reason. Keep coming up north. I live in Northern Arkansas. In a small town called Flippin. We have lakes, and lots of trees. Not to far from the Buffalo River.

[@CrossCountyTravelers]

Oh that is a beautiful area! We enjoyed visiting Flippin on our way to the Buffalo River area.

[@hazmatt3250]

Love the Buffalo. Floated on it many times. Also love camping around Greers Ferry and Lake Greason

[@johnjones-yt8rt]

Flippin was once home of the Ranger bass boat factory.

[@bjh1]

@@johnjones-yt8rt Flippin is still home of the Ranger bass boat factory

[@aliceroth3017]

​@@johnjones-yt8rt still is my son works there

[@janinedahl-labbe9220]

Take a Drive to Cotter Arkansas..pretty close to flippin Arkansas..Cotter Trout Dock is there in cotter . Go see Debbie and husband who run it..quite a place awesome people. I'm from Newton County arkansas higher up in the ozark mountains I love this state the most Beautiful I've have ever been and lived in.❤

[@kathleennile7611]

I wish that you could have seen Sheridan 60 years ago. It was such a beautiful town. So many old historical homes. Everybody had a flower garden. It had been such a long time ago. I didn't recognize anything. I only lived there less than a year in about 1961.

[@veronicavictory83]

I love the quaint little towns that still have the old building on main Street. There's a lot of beautiful scenery, streams and woodland, not just rusty trailers and closed businesses. I hear your snide comments and that little chuckle and I hope you have a nice day and find your way back home. wherever that may be.

[@MA4TU2]

Thanks for taking us along!

[@lindamartin8655]

I was raised 38 of my 64 year life in Houston Texas, I’ve been in southern Arkansas for years.. our town , Camden , is filled with kind people with a real sense of community.Sunday mornings are still and quiet. Most are in one of many churches. I use to think this state was hillbilly, lol. Success can’t be measured in monetary gain. I’ve seen our community gather to rally around those who’ve experienced loss .I love this place,easy going,affordable and kind

[@BP2KUNI]

Forestry was a lot like oil in Arkansas. We had a lot of untapped forests as late as 1900. My father has been in the forestry business since the 80's and the industry has significantly declined. Less Mills open, we have more pine than oak, low prices, and not enough crews on the cut sites. Plenty of buyers and money out there but there are systemic barriers in the way

[@stanbrown915]

I have a couple of acres in Ingalls and love it. For those that don't like the south...well..good luck and much happiness to ya but we all like it just fine.

[@summerz8867]

As usual you brought up some great points. The good, the bad and what a lot of towns have. Some just more then others depending on what roads you travel which you have shown. Keep up the good work, don’t change a thing, cheers.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you. 😀

[@rickyhurtt5568]

You were talking about those pumps. There's a little store in a community down the Rd in elmore Co AL that has 2 pumps from the 1950s and 1 side of one pump works some of the time. Still has old mechanical dial to show amount pumped

[@MrTonyneale]

I was a bit disappointed that you missed the School Adm building on your visit to Sheridan, AR. The building is one of several throughout the state built by Clyde A. Ferrell. I have pictures of the building if you want to see what they look like.

[@SKIMSPersonalStylist]

Thanks for sharing ☺️

[@dustinumholtz2864]

I moved to Sheridan in 93 the day before my 10th birthday. I graduated in 02 and then moved out of state for a while. I now live near the air base in Jacksonville, AR. It's really cool to see my old stomping grounds.

[@kathy2703]

I actually lived in cotter and it's the trout capital of the world. As for calico rock you wondering around it being a stranger I'm surprised someone didn't say something to you. Funny you talked about people having a lot of stuff out in their yards and you laughed, well most of the people around this area have had to start over and we can't afford to by new so you can stop and try to work some kind of deal if they got something you think you can use. Yes we are poor hillbilly people around here but I'll tell you one thing when someone needs help we are all right there to help them even if we don't know them. I'm proud to say I'm from . We are a huge turrist area and so many people come here to retire .

[@jeremyscaggs7315]

Sheridan used to be my route for FedEx. Along with White Hall and Pine Bluff

[@eddieradford113]

Thank you so so much.for the reply .be safe an blessed🙂

[@patsluder2699]

I'm just wondering where you live, that there aren't any poor people, run down houses, closed businesses or junk stores? Must be nice to be so privileged.

[@epiphany2112]

I wondered the same thing. I found it odd that he's never seen anything like it

[@clintcoop5717]

Who wants to stay in an area where there is no life really or opportunity 💯.....

[@wandajones5479]

The windows are squeaky clean on that antique store.

[@jakobmoore949]

Id love to see you drive the eastern part of Oklahoma through the mountains it’s beautiful but real rural. From south to north

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I will be. Looking forward to it. Most of my family lives there.

[@CrossCountyTravelers]

Just love Delaware County and the Ouchitas!

[@crystalfoley673]

I have lived in Arkansas my whole life. I moved out of the city to the hills a few years back. You should check out Mountain View, Cave City, Evening Shade, Hardy, Calamine, and Smithville. Smithville has 78 on their population sign. Here in Calamine, we don't even have a population count on our sign. There are so few people here that they took away our post office years ago and had us all start using Smithville as our mailing address for the city. We also don't have street lights on most of the roads and no traffic lights in Calamine either. We have one store which is in truth a beer store and to get to a Dollar General we have to drive about 15 minutes to one of the larger towns. What we have though is peace, and beautiful star filled nights where you can see a night sky that's not being drowned out by city lights. People wave when they pass you, and the only traffic jam we have is often cows that have gotten in the road or deer frozen in your head lights. We have beautiful creeks and old homesteads that have been reclaimed but were once someone's dream. It's truly beautiful up here in the hills. Oh, and Evening Shade is the town that inspired the tv show it was named for it, which Burt Reynolds starred in. Mountain View has really neat shops and they play music and dance in the court house square. The Folk Center there is a really cool walk through what life used to be like for people in the old days. There's many places with material accumulation. Sometimes because generations have resided there so long, other times because people have issues with hanging on to things. And some of us inherited it when we bought our houses or land because the previous owner either passed away or just left it behind for the next person to deal with. I did not take offense to your comments because it's everywhere, not just in our state. Many of our areas are at or below the poverty level and sometimes people can't afford to do better though they want to. If you drove passed my house you wouldn't know how recently I bought it or that it had been unlived in for years or that I've been so busy remodeling inside that I haven't made it to remodeling the outside yet. The things a resident sees and understands knowing the back story may by contrast sometime seem extreme or strange to outsiders. It's thoughts we all have when we see something new in an area we are passing through. Safe travels

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

I was born in the deep backwoods of arkansas in a little small town called palestine.arkansas has some of the most beautiful rural countryside backwoods scenic areas second to no other state in the US...........

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Rural Arkansas is gorgeous. So many trees. Breathtaking.

[@sherryirbvin7448]

Ty for sharing this history with us.

[@choppinbroccoli7037]

Hi there! I just found your channel tonight. Subscribed after watching your video about Cairo, Illinois. I'm fascinated with the drop in population of the United States. I told my husband that there is just simply way less people than when these towns were full and bustling. Very few families have a lot of children like in my parents day. It's showing in these smaller, rural areas of the country.

[@rackss1661]

A lot of people move to bigger towns and cities. Demographics shift over time certain places will grow others will go ghost.

[@lawrencem.37]

I'm from Arkansas originally... You are actually close to Sherrill, Arkansas. Very small town, has an old bank, restored plantation house, old schoolhouse, and a very large lake. A bunch of abandoned homes and buildings... Including old abandoned cotton gins. My uncle owned and ran the small store. The place is probably worse nowadays.

[@RightfulFallen]

Come visit North Arkansas. The Ozarks are an underrated beauty that most people do not know/care about. I'm from the Greers Ferry lake area. Also check out Monticello, south of Pine Bluff. Really neglected part of the state. Went to college there.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We will be in time. I've become a big fan of Arkansas.

[@Blessedgirl1955]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I agree with Nathan about the Ozarks. My husband and I are retired and pulled a nice camper and stayed at many campsites in the Ozarks (before he developed dementia) and it is gorgeous! You will be blown away by the beauty of Greers Ferry, Heber Springs and you must see Lake Quachita at sunset or sunrise, magnificent! I live in a small town 40 miles south of Jonesboro and a town nearby, Lepanto, was one of the towns chosen for the making of the movie A Painted House by John Grisham and they now have that very house used in the movie scene as a museum. We had a tornado not long ago that did some damage to the roof of that museum and they are hoping to restore that to its original condition. You should check that out. We live in Tyronza, Arkansas and our population is around 710 and we have a cotton museum because we are a farming community so that might be something you want to check out. Tyronza's citizens for the most part keep their property very nice but there are a few interesting spots. Lucky for our area we live close enough that we worked in Memphis, TN most of our lives and it hurts me know so many in Arkansas (and other places) are struggling to get by. Thank you for not making fun of the citizens of these towns!

[@ronjohnson5070]

Home of the fighting boll weevils?

[@hazmatt3250]

SAU grad, I see. I was at Harding, Beebe, and finished up at A-state

[@salimamartin9560]

That's the house I grew up in the one you are showing that said taking over by nature 😲

[@randallbeasley646]

The doublewide is not really empty. The brother and sister that married each other are on their honeymoon.

[@terrilievsay9932]

That is hilarious LOL

[@weekendmom]

If Sheridan is the county seat for Grant County, you ought to have checked out the county history museum. It's one of the best in Arkansas. Chuck Dovish visited it in an episode of Exploring Arkansas.

[@JWimpy]

You have to be really careful driving around the back roads of AR. The are a lot of people here who will shoot first and ask no questions. A lot of stills hidden in the back woods too. And they protect them well. If a sign says no trespassing, you better believe it. And yes the phone booths work here. There is on in my town here. Don't be fooled by old run down houses with no windows. A lot of people live in those here. And they don't want to be bothered. This state is about 50 years behind the rest of the nation. We like it that way. The house near the end of your video that was half falling in? There is on like that in my neighborhood like that. And a family lives in the half that is still standing.

[@pinkiesue849]

better than being homeless, I guess,

[@JWimpy]

@@pinkiesue849 Very true. I have seen very few homeless in Arkansas. It is also the only state in the US that has no "slum lord" laws. No matter what it looks like or whether it has any amenities you can rent it. Any place is considered livable.

[@wageslave387]

You ever watched that X Files episode called Home?

[@JWimpy]

@@wageslave387 I have never watched any of the X-Files shows. I am a big SciFi fan but that one just never interested me.

[@leroyrangel1183]

Thanks for all you do. 🙏🙏🙏

[@judithreejones9545]

Many stores in small Arkansas towns close at noon on Saturdays. More fun things to do.

[@kellyhorton2811]

yup it's the courthouse too. I actually is a lot like benton. Their builds and layout are almost the suno. I raised my kids in Benton and bryant, Wonderful towns to Ive and Reise femilies. Very nice.

[@beckycook2978]

Dermott, Arkansas is a lovely old dying Southern town. You should check it out.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Okay, I will!

[@freddypflugbeil6]

I bet you would find some cool looking door knobs in those old house and barns

[@manterror6936]

Pine bluff my former home town, plenty of family still there . Dig the videos spoda

[@karenstrain1152]

Also, Walmart has a lot to do with the decay of small town Mainstreet.

[@faithford9143]

Thank you👍🏽stay safe

[@holbriland6584]

Dollar General--The first business to be built when civilization breaks down and we colonize a new planet. The cockroach of the retail world.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

They are EVERYWHERE!

[@LMan-by6mb]

We should be happy they would want to stick around these places.

[@weekendmom]

😄

[@billieforeman2906]

Looks better than Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and chicago.and whole lot safer..You should go to those places maybe that would meet your high expectations. Maybe more your style.

[@johnf1121]

I doubt Billy hasn't been to any of those liberal cities, and missing most of his teeth ! LOL

[@JS-jh4cy]

Are those GPs worth it, what about the sky-high data prices?

[@johningram8024]

I Was Born Here In Ft Smith Arkansas Have Lived Here My Entire Life And Proud Of It People Live The Way They Wish To Live No Matter Where It Is In Any State I've Ventured Off To Several Other States And It Was Basically The Same As My State I Have Been Watching All Of These Travel Videos All Over Basically I Enjoyed Watching All Of The Different Places And That You And Your Family Take The Time To Travel Around And Show Us All What Is Going On In Different States And Locations Keep Up The Good Woek

[@billkaldem5099]

When going into pine bluff you’ll definitely need an armored vehicle to drive around in.

[@JS-jh4cy]

Is that Sheridan the lumber center?

[@kristiejones2054]

Crooks brothers had the furniture store. And the buildings are owned by those people they pretty much leave those as they are for aesthetics. There was a pool hall a very long time ago in the buildings across from the courthouse. There was a store by the name of ABC BOOKSTORE that was basically a HALLMARK store .

[@Tractorman502]

North Eastern Arkansas is similar just more hills (I live 20 minutes outside of Batesville ar)

[@margarettburns7544]

I was born and grew up in Bradford, Arkansas. Very close to Batesville.

[@GrannySanny]

That lone diesel pump is for off-road diesel like you would put in a tractor.

[@salimamartin9560]

Oh my God you passed my house I grew up in I grew up in Bradley I could have told you how it was when I was little oh my I have to get down there and cut all those bushes oh my God

[@jeremyscaggs7315]

Dollar General is planted using seeds. They pop up everywhere. Already fully staffed with all the drama you'd expect. Lol

[@mikegrimes8523]

Highway 412 from Springdale to Mountain Home is a beautiful drive

[@bjh1]

Hwy 62 across the northern part of Arkansas is the prettiest part of the state.

[@WaltBeller-s7k]

I do not live in Arkansas but always thought it was a beautiful state. I understand the educational programs are very good.

[@miainsel513]

Alot of stores and restaurants in Arkansas closes at noon on Saturdays.

[@nickdtv9401]

I live on the eastern shore of Virginia and it is just like this, probably worse actually. EVERYTHING is abandoned. Schools, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, gas stations, and of course houses. It’s like everyone got up and left. All the houses are abandoned here and the ones at aren’t sure do look abandoned.

[@skyhigh6]

I'm an Arkansan as well, every states has its issues. But,I live in a very beautiful city just about 60 northwest of said "Po-en". Arkansas has its share of poverty, that's true, but it also has many very beautiful part as well. Cost of living is really cheap, taxes are low. I live in a very fast growing community of 39,000, housing cost is on the rise. The home I own, purchased in 2004 for $125k is now worth $250k. Starting to see more licenses plates from California, Illinois, Iowa and even Canada. We must be doing something right.

[@billgalloway6383]

I worked in McKinney years ago. I have been through Arkansas many times, usually traveling to Tennessee.

[@ozarkmtnloghomes]

Poyen, AR, hometown of country singer, Justin Moore.