I Visited 4 Dying Cotton Towns In The Dusty Great Plains Of Texas

[@Thomas63r2]

A couple of years ago I was a middle school teacher in Anton for several years until I just couldn't make it on my low rural teacher salary and had to go teach in Wolfforth (+50% salary). I know that Anton just didn't have the revenue base to pay anything above Texas minimum teacher pay scale. If Anton had even been able to close my salary gap by half I would have stayed there forever. Its a great community even if there isn't much money there. In addition to the decline of king cotton, the big issue facing a lot of rural Texas cities is dwindling water supplies. So many small towns in Texas have wasteful crumbling water systems and are often subject to boil water alerts and water shut downs.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. Thank you for the comment.

[@tammyallen8205]

We had water problems too in Flint, Michigsn..and when I lived in Artesia, New Mexico we had to buy water from the Artesian wells .

[@curtiseggemeyer5681]

I never knew how bad Texas water was till I left and moved to the Northwest /Washington State 33 years ago. It is a miracle anyone lives past 60 drinking Texas water.

[@dougtaylor8735]

I’m so glad you featured the town of Earth. My wife and I live on a farm very close to there. We just celebrated 100 years as a town last June. At time 32:50 you show a closeup of the mural. It shows a lot of history of the town. The gentleman on the right was Bill Clayton the only Speaker of the Texas House of Reps to serve 4 consecutive terms as speaker. The B-25 airplane represents the Doolittle raid on Tokyo. Robert L Hite was the copilot of plane #16. He was captured by the Japanese and was one only four that survived to come home. He graduated from Springlake Earth High School as class President in 1938. Another thing shown represents the Bracero Program that brought many people (legally) from Mexico to help work the farms. We have a very great history in this area and are very proud of it. If I had known you were here I would have bought your lunch at the Wolverine. A lot better food than the place you went to.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment.

[@Yawndave]

These look like places where the stars at night are big and bright. And I bet when the sage is in bloom it smells like perfume. Thanks for the tour, pardner! 🙂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Absolutely.

[@jackd.ripper7613]

Even by the time I left there in 1972, all the surrounding country was cotton fields. You had to go to New Mexico to even find wild sage.

[@johnm.5848]

I'm in New England but I've always been fascinated by towns like those in Texas. It's heart breaking however that they're slowly fading into obscurity. As always, thank for taking us along for the ride Nick.

[@Txjen123]

we have a lot small towns here in Texas

[@stever5359]

They’re fading due to a couple of factors. Technology is pushing farm consolidation everywhere, but on the Texas high plains the depletion of the ogallala aquifer has had a massive effect. As irrigation capacity declines it takes more acres to produce a viable economic unit.

[@FaintlyTapping]

In summer of 1973 I was a young GI at Fort Hood. Once while on leave and driving up to Colorado, my car suffered a broken fan belt about 5 miles south of Earth. A Texas Trooper drove me into Earth to that very Sinclair station, in operation at the time, where I paid for a fan belt. The attendant drove me back to my car and helped me to replace the fan belt, all at no extra charge! I’ll always fondly remember Earth, Texas!❤😊

[@tammyallen8205]

@thesaturdaymorningcowboy4198 Thank you for sharing your true story here.

[@evanorthcliff2782]

I wonder if they say why the school is the best in the country! Teachers or curriculum ?

[@af-np4pg]

I feel like Joe and Nic are my grandparents and we are sitting in the back seat enjoying the ride!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL!!!

[@henkhemming6674]

how old are you..5?

[@adamazua3754]

I grew up in Sudan. We would play football against earth and Anton. Amherst was 6 man football. I’m 47. My parents still live there. I haven’t been back since 2012. This was a GREAT video

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, awesome!

[@jimfoley8014]

Go visit your parents.

[@Freddie-tw4bd]

Half of Sudan are my cousins..I also lived in Anton,and was the worse little town I lived in..

[@Unicorncutiecutie]

I’m from California but had a lot of relatives in Sudan and we use to go there to visit them. Love that little town!

[@judyfudge2458]

My grandpa Karl Kent's family lived in Sudan. We buried him and grandma Bessie there.

[@dennystitt2563]

10:07 We love your show, my wife loves it when you two go to dinner, she gets disappointed when you dont go to eat

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We'll keep doing it then!!

[@cathylamott259]

I love waking up on Saturday and riding all around with joe❤🎉😊 and nic 🎉

[@alisawooten]

Me too 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!!

[@barbiebush]

My sister graduated from Amherst College, and then continued her education at Harvard. I live in Massachusetts. I love all your videos. It’s like I’m traveling the United States right in my own living room. Thank you so much for sharing your videos with us.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@Samy-c8o]

Farms are good for Mexican and native people. Even though they don't make a lot of money 💵 We are VERY GRATEFUL. THE WORK.

[@tericampbell570]

Sudan High School ranked 660 in Texas with 100 per cent graduation in 2024 accounting to info I found. Generally speaking, High education levels make for low crime rates. Good for them! Another great video!

[@Freddie-tw4bd]

Half of Sudan are my cousins

[@TroyShore]

Sometimes small towns are better in ways guess

[@sjoneil]

Was expecting you to mention in Amherst that Main Street was red brick. How beautiful.

[@cathyburrows8162]

I remember crushed brick roads in Oregon in early 60s, very colorful

[@laretdenton9768]

Between the hot dog and the tuna salad salad the bill is the healthiest 😂😂😂.

[@billstill1794]

I thought the cheesecake was the healthiest! 🥧

[@laretdenton9768]

@@billstill1794 😂😆

[@RandyFelts2121]

In 1059 I was 7 years old my mom took me to downtown Dallas to the Palace theater to see the 20th anniversary of "Gone With The Wind." It'd be nice to see it on the big screen again. The last place on Earth I could imagine watching it on the big screen again.

[@redrebels24]

Tuna salad on salad is for sure healthier BUT NO DOUBT that hot dog is definitely the winner 😋

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Damn right!! :)

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for showing us the little cotton towns in Texas.

[@susanwestern6434]

Another excellent visit to lesser known USA. Fascinating to see from the UK.

[@kathywebb6606]

Your videos are like a spa treatment for my brain after beginning the day watching news 🤬 These “dead” towns feel oddly peaceful to me. Thanks for another cool road trip ❤️

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

They are very peaceful. My favorite kind of places to visit.

[@JoeSmith-pu9hi]

Much better than watching news. Real life. Eat healthy.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right, of course.

[@geist-0]

I share the enthusiasm of the prior comments, not for having been to any of the visited places (though I have driven several times through the great state of Texas) but for feeling like I was actually visiting. And wow, the food! Keep up the great work. Looking forward to traveling with you, Joe and Nic, wherever.

[@marcodebarkingville1827]

Still enjoying your travels, the more obscure isolated towns are fascinating. Long may you run✌

[@TheodoreBranin]

I watch all your videos that I can reach on Roku. My father was raised in Camden, New Jersey. I am 85 and remember when Camden was other than what you note but turned into what you experienced. I remember when coming down the Ben Franklin there would be two bright strips of red New Jersey tomatoes on the conveyer being loaded into the Campbell Soup kitchens. You exhibit a wonderful sensitivity to the human condition which touches the heart. You and your beautiful wife are good for the soul.

[@redrebels24]

The car up on the grain tanks is ABSOLUTELY CLUTCH 😂 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@redrebels24 Absolutely!

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Nic and Joe have gone to the ends of the Earth to bring another great video. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Australia.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I like your play on words. :)

[@sarahdearborn9191]

Thank's . Enjoyed it all. Imagine a place called Earth.😊 looking forward to the rest.😊❤

[@redrebels24]

I always love seeing the old town theaters and this one was very cool 😎

[@redrebels24]

Outstanding usage of old pinball machines!! I dig it 😎

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I liked it too.

[@richardj.chaparrosr.9810]

🎉very cool 😎

[@josephshields2057]

Another great Geo history of small town America!!! the food comparison was a nice addition and it looked really good, couldn't believe how cheap all that food was!!

[@craigcanfield5474]

I grew up in Snyder, which isn't far from Lubbock. Around 1970, Texas high school choirs had a state competition & I met a guy that got a big kick from telling me he was from "Earth"! ~ Mrs. C.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's cool!

[@FabriceLEQUEUX]

hello for my best video of state of texas thanks you mr joe fabrice

[@filmbuffo5616]

The Earthlings look friendly.

[@stever5359]

@@filmbuffo5616 just remember what General Santa Anna learned at the battle of San Jacinto. “ a Texan will kill you in your sleep”.

[@empressvogt]

Saw wild cotton while going to Weston, WV on the side of the road. My mom and I couldn't believe it. We were stuck in traffic, and I just happened to look to my right and boom it was right there.

[@LarryHeagren]

Those Earthlings are a funny bunch. Nice seeing cats again. My wife liked seeing Nicole and agrees with her on the tuna salad choice. The name Flippers reminded us of the old TV show about a dolphin and we were thinking seafood, but I can see pinball too even though younger folks have never played a machine. A great video as usual, Thanks.

[@RobOlgatree]

I would think most younger folks have never seen an episode of flipper either. 🤣

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Larry!!

[@Madskillsuniversity]

You and Nicole are awesome. Your videos are relaxing, educational, informative and a must-see. With that said, PLEASE consider incorporating the many different ways to fund your efforts, such as memberships, merchandise, sponsorships, supers, etc. Reach out to car dealerships, hotel chains and more. What yo do is unique and awesome. I just want to see your channel grow to 500K and on to a million subs!!! You and Nicole are more than deserving. You have also help me and my wife out big-time regarding what small town we want to tire in or rent or RV in. LOL Thanks, bro! That said, I was born in Texas and will eventually be buried there. In the meantime, I have lived everywhere. Peace.

[@motowngirl5891]

Joe and Nicole loving their life You are both great models of what a good relationship should be

[@anneenste]

I really like the brick roads.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I do too.

[@ElleryEggen]

I started watching your videos when you came through my neck of the woods (Weed, California). I have not yet viewed this, as I live out of range for Internet access (downloads only). I gotta say, I find the work you are both doing very valuable. The state of the economy, the country. The backbone of our once great country is not accurately portrayed in popular media. I think history will have much to learn from your account of our rural communities. Looking forward to future viewing! Thanks so much!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, Weed, I totally remember that town, in the shadow of Mt Shasta! Interesting place.

[@briannave7326]

I used to live in Grants Pass, Oregon and passed by Weed many times.

[@Jody-kt9ev]

Amherst had the old style lumber yard. I think the "Red and White" store in Amherst was a grocery chain. I came through some of these towns last summer heading home from vacation. It is sad about these towns. They are declining while the large cities keep getting more crowded. With this "work from home" stuff, it seems that some of this could change. I look forward to your video about Marfa. I was there a few years ago and plan to return in the spring.

[@TheShoutingGrasshopper]

Another interesting visit to rural America! I think a good alternate title for this episode might be "Journey To The Center Of Earth". I would love to go to Sudan just to get a picture of that car on the silo--just so it was framed by the wrought-iron Furneaux sign.

[@corncob_say]

I was in Sulphur Springs texas in the summertime buying some lithium batterys. The most enjoyable part of the trip was in the walmart parking lot feeding those long tail feathered crows some stale biscuits I had accumulated. Man they really liked biscuits and would come in close.

[@Cam-vz2zk]

Grackles

[@susanwestern6434]

​@@Cam-vz2zk Grackles are Jackdaws in the UK. Dialect name in the West Country in the UK. Grackles = grockles = tourists. Noisy groups of birds = noisy groups of people.

[@ColeTurner-sr8mc]

Sulphur Springs is half a State away from West Texas.

[@RobOlgatree]

Great video with interesting towns. Had to laugh a little when Nicole was defending her cutting back. Bravo Nicky.. You future schedule sounds awesome Nick, can't wait. Thank you both

[@zoidmo3388]

Once again I'm never disappointed travelling with you & Nicole. lmao with a town called Earth & it's populace called, of course, earthlings. Texan Earthlings has a nice ring to it lol. Best cat sightings vid ever Joe! 🎉 You guys are awesome! Stay safe. Really looking forward to viewing Mex border towns.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Z! Yeah, lots of cats in this one. :)

[@ROSIEH007]

Gee, Earth is just 100 years old this year! Good find Joe.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool!!

[@deehoward2351]

Love love, love videos of rural america, and I especially love your presentation. thank you

[@lzxray6781]

You guys are great, I enjoy every video and learn something new with each one!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching!

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Wow that Hot dog place was awesome I would love to have the deviled eggs. Thanks for the show

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

They were awesome!!

[@enzofilho]

Congratulation from Brazil Joe...I love to see How are small cities in USA and your vídeos are great to know the reality of It. - I had no ideia How some of those cities are like but thanks your patiente everyone could knows the truth...thanks you sir

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@usmcmos0317]

Absolutely great video. As if I wasn’t homesick enough. LoL have been in this area in and around Lubbock. Thanks for doing these small Texas towns. I guess some think I’m crazy but I still love these places. Even if I do have to drive a bit for my bigger needs. The peace and quiet and slow pace is worth it to me. I always find it interesting when you do the stats, one of my favorite parts. Especially when you’re doing a few close towns like this. According to some of the numbers you might as well have been a thousand miles apart. My only thoughts on the high crime rate in that town would maybe coincide with the high poverty level. But ya can’t complain about the numbers in the other towns. It’s all just beautiful to me. Nice restaurant there, have been by it but never stopped before. It was great to be back up on the Llano Escalodo. Always liked it up on that big plain. Really excited to see the upcoming ones heading south. Safe travels my friend and keep filming I’ll keep watching.

[@jefferymorris4644]

29 is the temp and about a foot of snow here in Anchorage Alaska and we are seniors that have been here since about 1995. Lived in south Georgia, desert in California, beautiful montana, exciting germany and liberal Portland Oregon. Enjoyed germany the most and loved montana like germany so the others just didn't compare. So what you liked and didn't like..

[@susanwestern6434]

I follow the Clever Cowgirl on KZbin. She lives in Montana with a view of the mountains. She reabilitates horses from auction. Lovely countryside, interesting to see from the UK.

[@susanwestern6434]

Also Fletcher Farms Amarillo. She rescues Belgian horses from the kill pens.

[@liamgray9644]

Looking forward to the Marfa video. I hope you talk about the mysterious lights.

[@RP4UXO]

Yeah! Those lights are enigmatic. I saw them in 2001. I wish they fly a drone camera in the night from Antelope road

[@liamgray9644]

@@RP4UXO I'm a truck driver , I was driving across 90 one night from Van Horn. I seen those lights and it freaked me out. I've never heard about them until then.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Definitely going to check them out.

[@RP4UXO]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Launch your drone to observe the ghost lights from up above if you can.

[@JonathanAllenMichael]

@36:26 ...well the hotdog is made from the "unknowns"... the leftover trimmings, probably from a CAFO nearby Sudan, Tx., so I think it is definitely not as healthy as the tuna and also continues to add toxic wastes to our Gulf of Mexico, which is already currently in crisis; however, the tuna perpetuates the massive fishing industry cartels that continue to destroy our oceans, so either way you slice it, I don't think either are a good choice, since you asked, but I don't judge either of you for what you eat. Just my two cents. I thank you very kindly for this new show I just fell upon a few months ago. I appreciate what you do here because my family and I do road trips a lot through West Texas and am very historically minded person and am grateful for you. Thanks again! :)

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great analysis, Jonathan!!

[@jongilchrist7229]

This is an informative channel. A contemporary travel log. I traveled through this part of the country in the early 70's. I am saddened by the depopulation of our prairie rural population

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Good morning!!! I love the Texas videos! Great names for these towns! Johnny Williams Motors looks kind of ominous! I love it. Interesting fact about Sudan’s high school! Love the grain elevator! Definitely need to visit Earth! Can’t wait for the boarder town videos! Your food looked delicious! Have a great weekend!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Alexandra!!!

[@rangers7259]

As a Brit, I find small town, rural USA absolutely fascinating, especially towns in the Southern States of the USA…👏👏🇺🇸🇬🇧👍

[@elcastorgrande]

One reason for low home values is that homes don't change hands often through sales. With population decline, no one moves in and buys a house. Therefore, the available records of sales go back years, so inflation makes those old sales prices meaningless.

[@Buckseed]

They are priced based of similarly styled homes and location. That part of Texas isn't a desired place to live for anyone and it shows. tt's still the Dust Bowl of the '30s.

[@normajefferson3977]

Great video. I love your narrative the facts and statistics really brings a reality to the rest of the country. Thanks for all you and Nic do for the channel.

[@newhavencourtlovetragedyhe133]

I love your channel and videos. I am always surprised at how few people are on the streets. You don’t get that here in the UK

[@antoniovillanueva308]

I really like your work. I cannot afford to live in the mountains of CO, so I am looking at this channel for real estate advice. Cell signal and distance to Walmart are important. Near a Tractor Supply, a tire shop and an auto parts chain. With decent 4G. High poverty rate among the elderly is a plus, I don't want to live around a bunch of rich people. (no, really)

[@ruralangwin]

Plenty to choose from!

[@WastrelWay]

Nichole, don't complain about what he eats; he's already outlived you!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That’s right!

[@richardj.chaparrosr.9810]

Lol😂

[@tiredlawdog]

As a retired police officer, I was curious as to whom the law enforcement falls on in these towns.

[@snowblind.]

County sheriff, no doubt.

[@tiredlawdog]

The highway patrol is starting to handle a lot of, what used to be Sheriff's calls. One of my DPS buddies said he thinks their title will be changed to State Police before too ,much longer.

[@snowblind.]

@@tiredlawdog interesting. Of course I'm in Washington, so it's going to be different, but the state patrol here only have 5 troopers station in my area. They are solely found on I90/us395. No county highways are patrolled and are very rarely on 2 lane state highways. Our county sheriff's patrol the small towns and rural back roads.

[@DonnaMayo-bc6pr]

I remember visiting family in Sudan in the 1990s. Beautiful town and I especially loved being able to buy fried okra at the hamburger stand.

[@Samy-c8o]

We love 😍 our neighbors And live and let live..

[@cmd406]

With a name Earth there needs to be a sci-fi movie about it! 🤣🤣

[@cmd406]

Like Earth*

[@SNAKERLARGE]

Love your effort in keeping us informed on our planet... Wish we had one for Toronto Canada.. Keep them coming...Jack Toronto Canada

[@jamestatum7759]

Your voice to the way you talk is very good for listening

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@robindemmerle3143]

Hi, if you are in Syracuse, NY. Stop at Leigh and Steigerwalds, the best German hot dogs, sauges, and sour kraut and Sourbrauten. #1. You can order online as well. They have been in business since the 30's. Awesome 😊

[@robindemmerle3143]

Coney dogs.😊

[@mikemoore2995]

Thanks!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@erobinson988]

I love brick streets.

[@johnvinings5652]

Great video. Especially liked that you showed a few scenes of and ate at Flipper's in Lubbock. May be moving back to Lubbock from Florida in the near future.

[@JAMESPATTERSON-mk9sr]

At 20:07 great high schools equal good funding , good administration , good teachers, good parents , good students . Nicole is always right about the food .

[@jeffreywatts94]

Probably a reason for the very low crime rate as well.

[@redrebels24]

Awesome mural!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@tammyallen8205]

I really do enjoy your KZbin channel here & all your videos. I saw 2 videos so far. I am a new subscriber. I have been a full-time caregiver for many, many, many years now, so I dont get to travel hardly at all. So, I can hitch a ride with you all here on this you tube channrl & with this nice couple. Thank you, guys. I love your channel here.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@gregpies1649]

Not much going on in those towns aside from the 3 cats and the Sudan high school and Earth mural 😊

[@sailor4116]

Guess you're in deep trouble if a medical emergency arises. 😬

[@dirkwyse1609]

That Earth mural and the theater are amazing. Awesome that there is zero graffitti

[@MrBobconner1952]

Hollywood could easily make another tongue-in-cheek movie along the lines of "Mars Attacks" in Earth Texas - "Welcome to Earth"

[@davidmillar4479]

Loved the video. Great to see Nic back in the videos.

[@suegeib5696]

I’d say that 70’s style building was a bowling alley

[@Surfguitarist59]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@freedmm3122]

No it was a grocery store . I worked there

[@TessaRucker]

Great video, as always. Nice to see Nicole! 👋

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Tessa!!

[@BirdDogey1]

I love this part of the state.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Me too. Especially the tall grass and huge cotton fields.

[@Tontteman]

It feels like 1980 was best point in time in most of US small towns. All those abandoned houses, stores and other businesses, most of them were still in use in 1980 or at minimum those building were in decent shape even if they weren't used. That's maybe 80 percent of all those abandoned buildings we have seen in this channel. Even if some towns peak population was in 1920 that town was still prosperous and living in 1980. People moved away from those small town into larger cities and for what, everybody is more lonelier and unhappier than ever and those large cities look horrible these days. If you are so lucky that you can work from home or are retired, you really can turn back time and move into one of those beautiful towns and leave those ugly soulless cities behind.

[@tudo8412]

Thanks Joe & Nic. I look forward to your next Video, have a good trip. Thank you again

[@simonhenry3815]

wow Joe - I'm really looking forward to the trip trough the deep south - so glad that you guys are going to keep on travelling now that Nicole has her 50 stamps

[@johnkrogh5532]

Thank you for showing around in small towns in US. I live in a very small town myself in a little scandinavian country, and I have to admit, we do have one or to houses here that certainly look abandoned. But I am so chocked to see so many abandoned houses in your videoes, and so Munch decay. Why is that? Thank Young for showing

[@DanaGerman-tu3nc]

All the time I've spent in Texas Going through places like this always makes me think about all the people who used to live there years ago.

[@brucemcdonald8529]

Thanks a lot Joe. Looking fwd to seeing the deep south USA, watching from the deep south of South Africa!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, Bruce!!

[@johnreid859]

Should have been Earth Wind and Fire Department.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I like that.

[@Dalesoil1]

It would be awesome if you could state the month, day and time of day of your visit to each town as it would be easier to put things into prospective which you do once in a while. Love to watch your videos and I've been watching for quite some time ‼️🙂

[@oscarmason3252]

The poverty statistics compared to those in your ride through in Holmes County, Mississippi, are like night and day, another great video, sir

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@oscarmason3252 Thank you, Oscar!

[@tammyallen8205]

New Mexico has sum very small towns too Garfield, Rincon, Salem. Now , I lived in New Mexico back in some of the 1990's so, I do not know what they look like today. I will have to do some homework & get updates on them. And see how they are now a days.

[@renchjeep]

If you take the Earth Fire Department and add what the town was named after, you would have Earth Wind and Fire! LOL! Take care, guys, and stay cool. Safe travels!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right, lol!

[@ipsosmaati1971]

Thanks for the dangerous fun. Best wishes👻👽

[@keeto123456]

Maybe on your trip back visit some small towns south of St. Louis and Cape Girardeau Mo. Different part of the state indeed. Altenburg/ Frohna/ etc.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Might visit some of those places early next month, if we can get the time.

[@remover454]

Yep! There small towns.. Thank you for bringing them to us ! Safe Driveing

[@motowngirl5891]

Buddy Holly was from Lubbock Thanks from Detroit mi

[@BigDaddy-bi7kk]

That machine was a cotton stripper, I grew up driving a two row John Deere stripper on an Oliver tractor.

[@kirktinsley5397]

I’m glad you added this. I was wondering what that machine was called. Cotton isn’t grown in my area, but I always get a kick out of seeing them when I travel. I always get out of the car and check them out.

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

I called that Deere a cotton picker you said it's a stripper guess I was kinda right?🤔

[@Kira-g5s]

Watching from Russia with love😊❤Thank you!🎉

[@louisskulnik7390]

I hope yall make it to Mississippi County, Arkansas. Victoria, WILSON, Osceola, Blytheville. I can't help it, I gotta represent my home communities. I think it will be a true highlight. Especially Wilson and Victoria.

[@harveybc]

The abandoned rail line was just a siding. They would detach train cars and park them on the sidings for loading and unloading back when they had a depot that handled freight, in this case probably a lot of cotton bales. Didn't see a loading platform so it was probably done away with decades ago. The use of trucks to transport freight to larger hubs killed a lot of small railroad towns. Less efficient but cheaper to do that way.

[@TomMaterene]

Most of the old rail lines in Texas were linked into all towns that had a cotton gin. In the early 70s all those old rails were reclaimed and nothing remained but the mounds and roads or streets that once were crossings. A good example is Midlothian Tx and the old route from Dallas came just below the cotton gin. There was an S curve and then over the track heading back to our base in Alvarado Tx. One winter we were on our way back to base and there had been a very large snow dropping and ice coverage of all the roads. We got to that S curve and four of us had to get out of the car and shove the back of the car straight so we could cross that rail line and get back to base. Today none of those old lines remain not even the cotton gin. Alvarado also had rail and a gin and a few people at the base worked part time at the Alvarado gin. My old base is still there intact but the city of Alvarado is totally unrecognizable to me. I recently dropped down street level at the launch area where I worked and there had been two new nice homes built down the highway leading to the upper section of the base. I knew then it is only a matter of time and the old base will finally be worth more to sell than to be worthy of history. It is one of the few old NIke Bases still intact and fenced. The old post office in the heart of what once was downtown Alvarado or the square, is still there due to it being a historical building. We had no mail delivery at the base so if you wanted your mail you would need to drive to downtown and walk into that old post office that looked extremely old with wooden floors made from very old thick plank. There was a new bank on the corner across the street from that post office and today it is an old empty faded building, if it is still there, I haven't looked in a few years. I have a lot of good memories from that period of 67 to 68. My girlfriend from Alvarado drove me to Dallas Love Field when I left for Vietnam. She passed away two years ago from cancer. These trips you make really are great and a lot of people enjoy them.

[@chosipian]

love your videos, especially the restaurant meals