KANSAS: INCREDIBLE Rural Towns And Their Unique Personalities

[@pauliusg.6063]

From all the states you showed, for me,being northern european Kansas is the most beautifull and cozy.

[@philthomas7078]

After watching quite a few of your vlogs , I have come to the conclusion your are singerly gifted at finding places that are lived in ...attractions and so on ...closed.

[@sadelmo9295]

Lol!

[@bthomson]

I have a very short attention span but I watch your videos peacefully to the end! That, my friend, is a true compliment!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you RRBC!! (I have a really short attention span as well)

[@Wolfgangersen]

Please keep on doing this! I've enjoyed watching small towns across the country. I'm hoping to move to one of the small towns in VA in the future.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I will be doing this for a long time, Glen. I'm glad you're watching!

[@mariaretinasarmiento1050]

The SSPX is masonic in nature ask one of the prominent Catholic apologist in the Philippines Bro Alvin Gitamondoc. He knows who they really are and it's more of political in nature according to my late mentor Reverend Roman Carter OP a Dominican friar. I went to an all girls Catholic highschool it wasn't so bad at all 😊 but the discipline of the nuns was tough however they gave us good values that shaped me and my batch mates who we are today

[@longiusaescius2537]

@mariaretinasarmiento1050 sspx isn't masonic

[@kimberH1005]

I just started watching your videos recently. I enjoy them to relax. As I was watching this episode it occurred to me how nice these must be for those who are home bound due to age or physical ailment. Fortunately I still get up and out but as I slow down I think more about those people that are more isolated. Your videos must mean a lot to those that are unable to make these trips themselves. Thank you 😃

[@bthomson]

Added bonus of great travel videos!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Kimberly. A LOT of my subscribers are exactly that. I have them in mind with every video I make.

[@joycelebaron2582]

Yes, I believe so, Kimberly. There was a time when I had terrible family/money problems and was stuck home a lot with no vehicle. I hadn't heard of Lord Spoda back then but followed a trucker to feel like I was getting out with something to see and look forward to. So I know how it is, although I'm blessed to have been able to solve my problems and travel again. I wish I had had LS to follow back then, because his videos are right up my alley and he knows most of us will never be able to get to all these small towns so takes care to let us see them through his eyes, and with such interesting background information. Such a blessing.

[@kkarllwt]

I used to take 2 week road trips from chicago to vegas. Staying off the interstates if I could. I miss the trips and value this content.

[@emmaschulze]

You are so right! I have been 4 times in New York, but allways wanted to see the "real US" To late now

[@LJones69]

Wamego is great around Christmas and their 4th of July fireworks are the best in Kansas! I live just about an hour north of Wamego and always enjoy my time there and Manhattan! You did a great job showing how this part of Kansas is not what most people think when they think of Kansas! Great job Lord Spoda!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words, Lee! :)

[@Ant-t3c]

Was actually there for the 4th of July. I have a coworker who lived there. Very nice town, was a long parade.

[@StephenSchuster_WA5G]

My father grew up in SE Kansas. The town is Garnett in Anderson County. He was born in Chanute, KS. So, I spent some time there as a kid. As usual, your presentation is superb and informative. Thanks for the nostalgic trip.

[@denisesmith2745]

Hi!! Do you have a sister who was a TriDelt at KU? Jackie Shuster?

[@StephenSchuster_WA5G]

@@denisesmith2745 No. Different spelling.

[@denisesmith2745]

@@StephenSchuster_WA5G The spelling of your last name is same as hers. I spelled it incorrectly in my post!!

[@JoJoJohnston]

I consume quite a bit of KZbin and I have to say your videos are among the most interesting/addictive. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words, Joseph. :)

[@richardharpe]

You should have taken a walk downtown St Mary's, there are a few great places to eat and shop! Sugar Creek (for an old fashion sandwich, ice cream, & candy store,) MJ's Coffee, B&B (the best burgers,) Ticino (the only Mediterranean restaurant in KS,) Froggy's (great Tex-mex food,) El Corral, and Casa Hernandez (with great authentic Mexican food.)

[@ryansergent8524]

Don't forget the Sushi restaurant. and they actually have two liquor stores. not bad for a "cult" .

[@richardharpe]

@@ryansergent8524 Thanks, totally forgot that one!

[@danielkaufman213]

I ate at groggy sand b&b pretty much everyday when I built the gymnasium in st Mary’s and rossville

[@danielkaufman213]

Froggy’s

[@mattks1001]

I grew up in NE Kansas. I went to a small Christian school and we’d go to St Mary’s and play them in basketball. Very religious. They’d have a priest pray and bless every game. They were actually a very good team and it was a very competitive game. We were 2 of the top 3 teams in our conference. NE Kansas is a great place. Glad you enjoyed it. We take a lot of pride in our anti-slavery history and hence we are very pro-Union. Our cultural and historical connections to the NE of the country may surprise some. A lot of locals consider themselves northerners as much as midwesterners.

[@matthewbomberger1774]

which school did you play for?

[@daviddecelles8714]

Impossible for any solid and sensible mature gentleman to avoid stepping in and enjoying a beer in an establishment called The Cockeyed Pig. Heartwarming to see that not all of rural America is disintegrating. The towns shown were all picturesque and charming with nearly all of their central, commercial buildings architecturally intact even to their ornamental detail. Fascinating to know that St. Mary's, a town with such a unique culture, exists. Would not have known but for your video. My debt to you increases.

[@KLUJICS]

He’s right. The Cockeyed Pig sounded great and I bet the food was great. Once more, that Kansas IPA had to be great. It was brewed in Kansas!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right?! The Cockeyed Pig sounds like it would be in Boston, not rural Kansas. So yeah, had to stop!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It was excellent.

[@jaysmith179]

Drinking and driving is not a good thing.

[@daviddecelles8714]

In these late-morning/early afternoon moments of refreshment, Spoda always limits himself to one beer. His blood/alcohol level would surely be within permissable legal limits to drive anywhere within the U.S. (except perhaps Utah) and his capacity to operate would in no way be materially impaired. (By the way, I did not intend to hit the thumbs-down button. It was a stupid mistake. Your remark was well taken and not offensive.)@@jaysmith179

[@johnblessing68]

Thanks for the awesome Wamego shout-out come back and visit again soon

[@siphomogale779]

Thank you for fantastic US travel

[@breannarebegila570]

Hello, I enjoyed your video! I live in the town of St. Mary's and am a member of the Catholic parish there. Just wanted to say that we most definitely do drink alcohol, we just believe in moderation. So drinking excessively to the point of getting "drunk" and losing your reason is not okay. Otherwise we certainly enjoy alcoholic drinks 😄. I'm glad you toured our little growing town, I do love it myself! Feel free to come back and visit again, maybe when the new church opens in May. I would highly reccomend touring the inside, it's going to be quite impressive!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. Thank you for clarifying that. :)

[@nadenolam8368]

Town still sounds like a cult

[@starbuono825]

they probably do listen to Rock music it's probably just that hideous rap that they don't listen to and I would agree to that !!!

[@JESL_TheOnlyOne]

@@nadenolam8368 How enlightened of you.

[@XavierIsraelMatamoros]

@@starbuono825 They prolly also throw in a little Mexican polka and ranchera. Good Catholic music.😁

[@simon2077]

The old buildings (houses, barns, city buildings) in Kansas are virtually all built of LIMESTONE rock. Very common in the late 1800;s. Stone Masons was a demanded trade in those days. Each of the County Seats in all 105 Kansas Counties have their own Courthouse usually built of the same material.

[@karenclabaugh5416]

That makes sense now. What about the red brick roads? The brick rds in NOLA & Savannah are faded. I guess the those streets are not painted over ?

[@toddfr1967]

Wow! I had no idea about St. Mary's. The community of Wamego looks interesting. Love the architecture found in the small towns you visited in this video.

[@tntsmama5845]

Hello from a "Holtonian"! Thank you for visiting! A bit of information about the big house you pointed out at 33:33 , in Holton, right before you visited The Cockeyed Pig. Years and years ago, it was a funeral home, and in recent years it was used as a bed and breakfast before the current owners turned it into the beautiful home it is today. Also, the building connected to "The Pig", on the corner there, is a museum. Love your videos! May good fortune be with you on all of your travels! Have a blessed 2023!

[@mariesheppard3750]

What is nice is that Taggers have not tag all over the beauty of these city . Oz is wonderful. So much is built in 1800 and the building are beautiful Thanks again for great video s

[@donnawheeler6283]

The rock you see many buildings made of are blocks of limestone. Limestone is abundant in Kansas. I've often wondered if the 'Yellow Brick Road' was a reference to the color of natural limestone in Kansas?

[@zoidmo3388]

Here is my silly thought on how clean all these tiny towns appear in Kansas- the wind ! (due to fav movie Wizard of Oz) their towns are clean bec the wind blows all street riffwrappers clear out of town lol Pardon my humour I'm silly ol' Lady but loving these vids & Kansas is so attractive.

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Lord Spoda Wow! Rural Kansas is indeed a feast to eyes. A good day spent with you. It was so fascinating to see that every corner and shop in downtowns are occupied and functioning. Wamego is so nice. Prairie Town is so cool. It seems to be a living history. As you said every small town has its uniquely own personality. But for you, never we would have got a chance go know about these lively rural Kansas small towns. Thanks for the nice video and the interesting commentary along with it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great comment as usual, Rajeev. This is one of the most interesting rural areas I have visited.

[@gatorgogo2742]

You are taking us to some interesting little towns. Love the odd facts you find to tell us.

[@cassiecarlson9522]

My grandma grew up in Onaga. She later lived in Colorado and Idaho, but loved her Kansas roots.

[@45AMT]

Didn't know rural Kansas was so quaint. Some really nice up kept towns. Surprised at the low poverty rates and higher income levels.Thanks for sharing!

[@impalaman9707]

I remember St. Mary's being mentioned in Laura Ingalls Wilder's book "On The Way Home". In the book---she describes Saint Mary's as "strange, Catholic--and altogether Southern". (keep in mind---she was taking a wagon trip from South Dakota to Missouri at this time---so from her perspective---Saint Mary's was SOUTHERN"!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@twisted760]

Lived there my whole life. That is a mild way of putting it lol.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@twisted760 good?

[@KS5040]

St. Marys is southern compared to the vast majority of the Midwest that is along and north of I-80.

[@theblackglove]

I love this! I used to work for a water filtration company, and I drove all over the Midwest to fix machines. A lot of the towns you feature are towns I've been through for work, and wanted to know more about them. So, this really works out!!

[@HollywoodRecordingStudio]

I grew up in Wichita. My dad used to drive to Winfield and Emporia (he was a radiologist) and would go to these small towns around Kansas. I enjoy your videos.

[@jamesnix9697]

Well another great job!!! As always you are doing a great service and sure hope you keep it up and will be looking forward to your next trip!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, James!

[@martinmcclain3446]

I cannot believe you was in my Birth town Holton, ha ha, brilliant! Fantastic, Best Video ever! Thank you!

[@jeannettewehner2360]

Really enjoying all the info you provide for each of these little towns! Keep up the good work!👌

[@lilywerner8254]

I am currently in Portland for college, I am a freshman and just got here a little over three months ago! I am from Kansas and the day before I left I chose to go to Wamego (pronounced wo-meee-go), to the wizard of oz meusuem. It's just a cheesy little day trip and I thought it was fitting before I left! Me and my parents drove all over north east ks. such a good memory. thanks for the video.

[@brstoffel]

Excellent job showing all of such charming rural communities. Thanks, Lord Spoda!

[@retiredtom1654]

I was born in Wamego 81 years ago. After WW II our family moved to Seattle, Wa. because the job market was poor after the war in Wamego. It is nice to see the town thriving.

[@KS5040]

Kansas has never had good paying jobs other than the much more populated areas like Johnson County by Kansas City, MO and Wichita (for awhile), but the metro area as a whole is an economic laggard and backwater now.

[@awbrompton2308]

The one thing that always surprising me in your videos: no one out on the streets, no pedestrians.

[@platinumpepe8626]

People walk still? Wouldn't imagine many people walking around in sub pop of 1000 during workdays more than likely.

[@donnawheeler6283]

Consider the time of day and temperatures. Many people have 'day jobs' that keep them indoors. Perhaps, if the video were made between 4:30 pm to 6 pm, you'd see more of the citizens. In Kansas, the temperature gets very cold and wind chill can make being outdoors unbearable.

[@khartford62]

Thank you so much for this video tour! I've wanted to visit Wamego for many years and definitely want to get down there this year. It was nice to get a taste of what the town has to offer. Thanks!

[@mcpa0701]

As some one who went to college there let me correct some facts you got wrong. 1 Modern music is not forbidden explicitly, but bad lyrics does make it forbidden (sexualy explicit or swearing cursing ect) 2. they are recognized by the Pope and the Vatican as Catholic, but thier standing is considered irregular. 3. Alcohol absolutely is NOT forbidden (Catholic invented most modern drinks after all) but getting drunk is very much frown upon.

[@KLUJICS]

Exactly! Alcohol is not bad. Abuse and misuse is bad. As a So Bapt, I have a Catholic friend who reminded of the Council that influenced this town and why that rumor exists. He is half right. But no drinking in a strong Catholic town? I knew a fact had to be wrong. But still a great town to raise a family!! My Catholic friend is a priest from Nebraska. He claimed that any one that followed the early church Council that established this idea, he would NOT be recognized as a priest. In fact, the Vatican would declare this town heretical.

[@mcpa0701]

@@KLUJICS Im not sure i fully understand your comment. I was explaining misconceptions the video maker has about the residents.

[@paradoxstudios6639]

In other denominations alcohol is known as the Devil's drink, so beware next time you toast a glass !

[@ciscornBIG]

Good people in st. Mary's. Sancta Maria, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus.

[@werearethedreamteam3724]

im a very godly man and horror movies have to go out the window including halloween and even action movies where there is violence.Those are demonic my friend and you just dont even know it..thanks god bless

[@robingreen67]

Good piece on Wamego but you missed our cute Wizard of Oz Hot Air Balloon water tower!!

[@shellydagenais2158]

Thanks for coming to our little town of St. Mary's. 💖 It really is an oasis. We May not listen to "Modern music", but we have a very wide variety of music that we enjoy and try to encourage. Like Classical, Irish music, Gregorian chant, Polyphony, Jazz, Blues, some pop music, Soundtracks from movies. Wholesome stuff. It doesn't have to be one particular kind of music.

[@jonathonhansen6005]

You make awesome videos. On top of your game. Thank you for sharing.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Jonathon.

[@johnchiujr.3587]

I'm glad you visited Holton, KS. I visited there months ago and it was during reunion week. So we walked by the building where they were going to have the high school reunion and there were a couple of classmates in there already (this was like during the late afternoon). I like visiting small towns because the pace is not as hectic as that of a big city. And the people are friendly.

[@l.a.crenshaw5952]

That where some nice pretty old towns too see, at least not so many in decay and despair , thank for the visit

[@LS-wn5cd]

Joey, another fact for you. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a financial backer for the town who helped smuggle rifles past pro-slavery forces in crates marked Beecher's Bibles and consequently the rifles themselves became known as Beecher's Bibles. Wabaunsee was staunchly anti-slavery and became part of the Underground Railroad in late 1856 and helped Lawrence after Quantrill's Raid.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool! Thank you for the extra info.

[@4G63Tx]

Back in October I very briefly visited Salina, wish I had had more time to check out some places wouldn’t have minded visiting that Oz museum that looks pretty cool

[@speedlerme]

Really enjoyed this presentation Lord Spoda - did not know about your channel until a friend DMd me a link. St. Mary's is an anomaly in the modern world. Not a place of withdrawal as the Atlantic would have you understand it, but a place where families can raise their children in the Traditional Catholic Faith. A low unemployment rate is due in large part to the base of successful Catholic businessmen who provide a living wage for those large families. They are both foundational and humble and it was the Society of St. Pius X that breathed new life into this town, which has such a rich Catholic history already.

[@TheScottab]

You need to make a return visit to the mill in the Spring when all of the Tulips are in bloom.

[@charleshodgin6029]

I've lived in Topeka Kansas since 1996, and did not know about St Mary's religious affiliation. I knew that they had a Catholic school there but nothing else. Wow! If you ever decide to do a Mississippi river drive, I recommend taking the Illinois country road 96 From just outside Keokuk,Is to Navoo, Illinois. It's a pretty drive and Naval has the Latter Day Saints village to checkout.

[@robertb9461]

Pretty neat man. Been watching a couple of your videos there in Kansas. I lived there from 2012-20. Lived in Derby/Wichita. The last couple years there I worked for a place where it took me to a lot of these small towns. Unfortunately I never took the time to go explore these places with work and all. Now that I live out west, it makes me miss and appreciate the these small towns, the people and just how laid back it is in that state. Thanks

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Robert. :)

[@delstanley1349]

34:07 When I saw this picture I was thinking of the song "Home on the Range." The song "where the deer and the antelope roam..." I figured though the song had NOTHING to do with Kansas. But, I looked it up anyway. Wow! The song was written in Athol, KS about three hours west of here!😬Ouch!

[@denisesmith2745]

That’s the Kansas state song!! We have Buffalo too!! One small town is named Bison. Mom lived there for a little while as a child when her dad, my grandfather, was getting his pharmacist license.

[@brendaz9222]

In todays environment and so many bad schools and crime, I can see the draw to live in St.Mary, KS to raise your kids.

[@2011e92M3]

I mean unless your kids have no plans on moving out one they’re grown then yeah one might be able to see the draw to live there. Otherwise, they’re going to struggle once they’re forced to live outside of their bubble and if you’re lucky they won’t resent you.

[@gilnorton1]

@@2011e92M3, there is also a good public education system there, and the majority of the town and surrounding community use the public schools. People respect each other in these small communities and are supportive. The larger cities that are east and west are where a good portion of the people work, but they choose these smaller communities as a choice, a chance to get away from some of the bigger city problems. But for sure, it isn’t for everyone. Peace

[@chrisarmon1002]

@@2011e92M3many people move their to get away from what’s outside the bubble. Many! People grow up on other parts of the USA and come here to raise a family in a good town. Rare now a days

[@frankfrankly1366]

Yep

[@KS5040]

@@chrisarmon1002 Kansas is a horrible state, people are leaving in droves as it remains one of the top 10 most moved out of states every single year. There's a nice fact for the Kansans living in their deluded bubbles. I lived in Kansas for 20 years and glad to have left in 2008.

[@denisesmith2745]

Oh, my goodness!! Thank you!! Kansas is the shining star. Wamego is pronounced Wah mee go. I know. Doesn’t make sense. My twin and I had a TriDelt sorority sister who had her dad as a prominent doctor. We used to sing in grade school.. John Brown‘s body is a smoldering in the grave. I think it was actually an homage to him. Kansas was a point on the Underground Railroad. My family has a little museum in Pawnee Rock that was an Underground Railroad . Mummified girl about 13 there. My lineage has President Ulysses S Grant as my great, great great grandfather. I’m so proud of Kansas and how you portrayed it! Thank you!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, awesome comment. Thank you for sharing all that. :)

[@lisaharmon8401]

Moldering though, not smoldering

[@bthomson]

Yes.

[@pslobodnik]

Wamego was largely settled by veterans of the Civil War. There are several Confederate veterans buried in the cemetery, with the stars and bars on the gravestones.

[@olinwright7628]

Thanks! Kansas seems to have less poverty than many other of these rural areas in other states

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yeah, that is true.

[@pslobodnik]

As as Kansan who has lived in these towns and others, these towns are some of the wealthiest in KS. Pottawatomie county has had the highest economic and demographic growth rate per capita in the state for some time. Unfortunately, most rural KS towns aren't this well off. If you go west of Manhattan, you will find many ghost towns with all the buildings but no people.

[@bunnyben5607]

@@pslobodnik Western Kansas is the part of Kansas we don't talk about

[@o2bnov0307]

Thank you for another fine video. It's fun to travel around the country via your camera. Also, Saint Pius X = Saint Pius the Tenth (Roman numeral).

[@sassynana5201]

I love the information you provide in these. I’d be thrilled if you also told us what the major industries are. A few towns in the middle of KS with median incomes over $70k has me VERY curious as to the source.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I look for it, but that info can be tough to find with small towns.

[@emailaddress645]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I'm a resident of St. Mary's. The main source of employment comes from a factory called the Onyx Collection, which produces showers. It's located in Belvue which is right on the way to Wamego. Long hours and poor working conditions, but the pay is good. I worked there for a year myself. St. Mary's is a quirky little place. It was so weird to see this in my feed.

[@breannarebegila570]

Yes, the main source of income for many of the family's that live in Saint Mary's is The Onyx Collection in Belvue. The wonderful owners of the company are parishioners here and I wouldn't say it's "poor working conditions" as another person Commented. It's a factory, and as with any or most factory work like this, it's just hard work, but the employees are treated very well!

[@debrunin]

@@breannarebegila570 as long as employees do as they are told...vote the way Mr. Awerkamp tells them OR that they don't sign a petition to save the pool or the library.

[@BillLaBrie]

The largest employer in most of these places is usually Walmart. That means Walmart sets the wages and hiring practices for other employers nearby.

[@ranchobob48]

One of my oldest friends was born and raised in St. Mary's. You drove right past his home , which was on the main drag opposite of the Union Pacific tracks.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks for posting. Greetings from Australia.

[@lmcwill0502]

No pubs or bars 🍺 ? Not a town for me but very interesting. It looks clean and well kept which is really nice to see and yes the buildings are unique to be in such a small town. . Always love watching your videos.

[@ryansergent8524]

@Luke M and 5 eateries that serve alcohol.

[@lawrencegerads7955]

B&B used to have the best burgers around

[@silvercash64]

I really love this Channel !!!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Robert.

[@adamschat3657]

The reason St. Mary's looks like it has money is because the community works together, the business owners look out for their employees. I lived their for 3 years. It is an amazing community. It took the SSPX years to save the money to build that church, like 40 years, and donations came in from all over the country. When it is finished it will be the biggest church between St. Louis and Denver. Also if you ever get the chance drive around Ellis County Kansas. Hays is right in the middle. Some of the most beautiful stone churches in that one county. 11 that I know of for sure. All built by Vulga German immigrants. Amazing place to visit.

[@johnnynerhagen]

Hi, I`m enjoying your videos from Norway. Thank you.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffgregory5524]

Can you do Greenville, TX soon ? I grew up there and I'd like to see how much it has changed, or hasn't

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I will be. I scouted it out a month or so ago. It's on the list!

[@jeffgregory5524]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip thanks man and if u remember will u give me a shout out when u do the show ?? big fan of your videos

[@antyhntr4203]

Another fact about the town on Holton it is named after the first sheriff of Milwaukee he led the wagon train east of the Delaware or Elk river I forget which one but the Kickapoo tribe told them they were on their hunting lands and they refused to move so the tribe set a couple wagons a blaze and chased them west of the river and they settled where the town is now

[@bthomson]

Really like these added comments!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Me too!

[@theboringguy1769]

The SSPX Church is worldwide and growing and feel the reason so many towns are dying is lack of standards (anything's OK) but sometimes learning the hard way is best I know I did and with regret, like your content take care.

[@BryanG830]

I'm a 90s baby. I'm old school. I remember both Little Rascals and Wizard of Oz. Two great movie's. I am from a small Texas town. Although that town ain't so small no more.

[@curiousjon]

You missed out on the history of the Columbian Theater in Wamego. It's named after the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. That eagle over the entrance was from the American pavilion at the World's Fair. If you had gotten in you would have seen some of the only surviving art work from the pavilion. A wealthy person from Wamego was impressed, bought up a bunch of stuff from the pavilion after the fair closed and had it shipped to Wamego.

[@billfeldman3234]

Thank you for the trip in OZZ town

[@politicalsheepdog]

I've been to all the towns in this video. Great Video. I've heard Wamego has a pretty good Independence Day Fire Works display.

[@cmd406]

Looks like a beautiful town. I couldn't live there or be on board with their thinking, but good for them!

[@shawl777]

Loving these videos of small towns! At one point in this video, I thought a horse was clopping along near you, and I was half expecting to see it. Then you drove a bit and as you turned I heard it again, and then I realized it was your turn signal! And then I also realize that you drive a Bronco, so could it be the turn signal sounds like horse hooves on purpose? Lol!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL, could be!

[@privateryan2125]

Different Area of Kansas then what I am used too I grew up in South-Eastern Rural KS but it seems pretty similar. Glad too see some representation. Keep it up!

[@KS5040]

Southeast Kansas has far more rural poverty than northeast or north-central Kansas.

[@FindMeOnABeach]

You should go to Alma, KS (lots of cool Victorian homes and homes built out of Flint Hills stone) and drive all around the Flint Hills! They have a very specific style of stone fences there. The Beecher Bible and Rifle Church was part of the Underground Railroad. And that Toto statues in Wamego are super cool. Wamego (pronounced Wah-mee-go) has the best fireworks display in KS on 4th of July. They also have an annual Tulip Festival every spring. There are tulips planted everywhere. You should go back in the spring. Also, that old post office that said "Flush" - Flush is a little town between Wamego and Manhattan.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I'll be visiting the Alma area within the next 6 months. :)

[@FindMeOnABeach]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Cool. My whole family lives there. I can tell you LOTS about Alma. Let me know if you want some info for your trip there. Love your show!

[@IDiggSocialMedia]

Thanks for this video! Three years ago, a Church friend of mine took me to Northeast Kansas on my vacation from work. We stayed at a motel in Wamego for about a week and daily attended Church with the SSPX parish in St. Mary's! I had a great time up there. I much rather live in a small town like St. Mary's than any Sodom and Gomorrah big city.

[@firefly9838]

A vacation to a church. Rough.

[@fullblackonit]

@@firefly9838 there is nothing better than that

[@josephcioppa1943]

@@firefly9838 - when you put God first, it is easy

[@TheDoriette]

💯 percent right! We cannot wait to move there.

[@LifewithMelinda]

Toto is buried under the 101 freeway in California. But there is a memorial at the Hollywood forever cemetery

[@lg5221]

Bite your tongue. Toto is happy and healthy in Kansas. lol

[@diane4549]

I'd heard about Toto being buried under the roadway, and I've also heard about his memorial, as I'd heard about it in someone else's vlog. It's interesting.

[@charleshoang566]

Who the hell is Toto ?

[@willhorting5317]

@@charleshoang566 have you never watched The Wizard Of Oz?

[@charleshoang566]

@@willhorting5317 No.

[@zerog5041]

Greetings from a sunny 5C South London, UK. Where I live we have a preserved windmill and for information the vanes that make the mill turn are called "sails" or "blades", they can be covered with either canvas or wooden slats to increase their aerodynamic capability. Incredible luck the folk of Kansas have with so much limestone around, unfortunately, due to acidic pollution in the UK, a lot of old buildings made from limestone and sandstone just crumble away.

[@ukaly1]

I'm English living in Illinois. I have lived here most of my life but yet I am amazed at the amount of towns in this country that are in such decline! I can only imagine what you think living in a country where they believe in keeping things up and preserving history.

[@gretai7535]

Wamego is a lovely town. The theater has great plays.

[@rebelhippy2166]

Me Rebel again. My great grandparents were born in Wamego. It's grow so much since I left Kansas in the 80s. Are you going to hit Marysville. That's my birth town the courthouse is a site to see .I grew up in Topeka. I'm enjoying this alot. Oh it's WA mee go . But you're forgiven

[@gtrpkr2487]

I’ve delivered groceries to the stores in all of these towns. I like Onaga. Super nice people. Original store had burned down and town agreed to build a new one a few blocks away.

[@ryrythefryguy4645]

you should check out seneca, ks if you havent already. lots of history there, as it was built on the pony express trail. it has the 2nd largest hand dug well (right after greensburg). the well is still in operation. huge catholic population there too, much like st mary's. but not as conservative as st mary's.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We will be soon.

[@mikebarnes5528]

I ran cross country there. Really tough course. The finish line was a 200 yard up hill sprint. One hill was so steep we used our hands for balance. You need to visit Ozawkie Ks which was once in the valley where Lake Perry is now. The lakes North end has silted over and the silt is headed south. Oskaloosa is just 10 miles east & was where signal calls for baseball started. Look up Luther Taylor. Oskaloosa is also the county seat with a brick square paving. The original town was saved & moved to a park for preservation.

[@KS5040]

Perry Reservoir, and they need to get rid of the dam and let the river resume its natural course. Reservoirs are a waste of money and resources unless it is absolutely 100% only for flood control.

[@ritawood2772]

They also have great fireworks in Wamego for July 4th. Nearby Manhattan has so many job opportunities with the University, the Bio-Tech center and others. Love those communities that keep the brick roads. They are a bit slick in winter. I'm from Leavenworth-Lansing. Love Kansas.

[@chrispurse3931]

I'm glad you went up to my son's neck of the woods. Hiawatha.

[@barbwright2845]

Looks like a really nice place to raise a family

[@tales527]

Kinda. People don't really experience the problems big cities do if you stick to small towns. Problem is that everyone knows everyone, and most everyone is fu*king crazy. Now I'm probably biased since I live next to a state hospital, but outside of that, I have met some of the most selfish, narcissistic, and idiotic people here. The countryside is nice. Great views of sunrises and sunsets, and the drives are nice and quiet too. Trains are awful tho. They go through towns so slow that it could take like 30 minutes for them to pass through town.

[@BaldonadiJessie]

I hitched with your journey, sir! 👏👏👏👏

[@horseplop9]

If it's small and off the map. Chances are spoda has been there. Nicely done sir

[@standunitedorfall1863]

At 2:34 you passed a Liquor store on your right. But as a Protestant I am very glad that the town is going back to Traditional Values, and is doing so well. They should be a shining example to the rest of America as to what works.

[@claregoldade]

We have two liquor stores in town😛

[@Starla-zy9le]

If they had their way being Protestant would be illegal. Careful what you wish for.

[@drrenegade6726]

I live pretty close to Wamego and you are correct about Christmas time. If you go there at night, they have a speaker running on Christmas music constantly, you can take pictures with Santa at the old school house, and there are a lot of lights to see around the park.

[@gideonding01]

Lovely small town, Wamego. Any chance to visit Smallville? hehe

[@heatherfulmore3412]

A railroad station was probably near those tracks. I can bet that it was one of the first stations for that pioneer prairie town.

[@arniegreenberg2719]

Toto was buried in LA near the grave site of Micky Rooney under highway 101.

[@lg5221]

Go look at the church in St Paul. It is beautiful especially for tiny town!!!

[@auyanir4821]

Ya se adonde irme!!!! Graciasssss. Dios siga bendiciendo esa comunidad😁🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lorilove4706]

Hi there! If you get a chance to come up to WA state go visit Walla Walla. Beautiful old college town with surrounding wheat farms and vineyards. Nice scenery!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We will be. :)

[@politicalsheepdog]

In Holton, that JHett Pizza place used to be Buzzards Pizza. They had a really good buffalo meat pizza. They had a couple shops but they were broken up and split between a divorced couple.

[@PCBill0622]

Your tour of some small towns in northeast Kansas points out the consistent quality of life, nothing pretentious, just good folks living generally in peace. Living simple lives. Taking pride in what God has provided. 😊 One place you could have gotten a good indoctrination would have been the local cafe in any of those towns in the morning. The men gather from town and country and solve the world’s problems. I have friends in McPherson, Kansas who are retired college professors from California. They researched A-Z all over to determine the most suitable place to retire. Then they found their spot In McPherson, across the street from the park. Sounds peaceful to me. Thanks for this posting.

[@KLUJICS]

From California to McPherson? That explains a lot. Sam Brownback has screwed Kansas and will never be the same.

[@grahamarnott7924]

St Mary's looks like an amazing little town. Not a lifestyle I would choose for myself or my family but yeah, still nice. Just a thought, I don't think there will be scrappy part of town. With a poverty rate of 3%, that means only 81 people (including the children) are below the poverty line. That wouldn't even be 1 block of houses :)

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right!

[@emailaddress645]

Resident of St. Mary's here. It's a nice little town with all the small town problems. Everyone knows everyone. If you're not SSPX I would never advise you to move here. As nice as people can be, there are also very nasty people who will be sure to tell you how bad you are, if you don't fit into their idea of what a "good" catholic is.

[@lawrencelacenski9781]

Unfortunately you are correct about the few nasty people that attended church at the academy as a member of the parish myself it pains me greatly that some of my fellow Catholics somehow forget to practice Christian charity among themselves and with their dealings with others in the community , it’s few giving the majority a bad name

[@chrismounts846]

So why do you all still put out Halloween pumpkins if you’re hardcore christians?

[@breannarebegila570]

@@chrismounts846 Would you mind explaining what's anti-Christian about pumpkins? The practice of carving them and lighting a candle inside is an Irish tradition. They used turnips and gourds originally and they were called Jack O'lanterns, which came from an Irish folktale about a man named "stingy Jack". Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America where they then started using pumpkins. There's nothing anti-Christian about this 🙂.

[@amberhansen3806]

Holton KS was a very nice place we visited. Also we liked Topeka. My Great Grandparents owned a home in Latham KS. They both passed away in St Louis 2 weeks apart. Not sure whatever happened to their Latham Home.

[@BryanG830]

I from Texas but been to 10 states total and Kansas wasn't one of them so thanks for the videos. I love traveling so when I watch your videos it's like I am traveling. Lol. I also have a VR headset And YT allows me to watch any video in VR so watching your videos with VR goggles it's like I'm actually there. This is so awesome.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That is awesome!

[@rita4missions]

Saint Pius X , X is a Roman Number meaning 10, so you read Pius the 10th

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

Another good video. Carry on to the next Guinness. Thank you. David

[@billyz97]

My dad lives in onaga, bought a fixer upper there. Cool to see it on a video

[@abbiebarnes2200]

Wow I hadnt been there since 1973, I think it was. Got pictures of it somewhere? I know I have the Dutch Mill but dont think the museum was there yet? The Emerald city back then was claimed by Eldarodo east of Wichita I believe? Wonder what happened? I moved to Cali so havent been back there except visit not to observe.

[@mr1pearl]

St. Marys you get the feeling 60 minutes is gonna do a piece on that town within the next 10 years yikes 😮 Now Wamego what a place and you found Toto two three four how many Toto's do they have 🤷 The yellow brick road how cool was that ? I boo'd when the door was locked at the Old Dutch Mill but a really cool view there just the same ! The capper for sure The Cockeyed Pig I mean c'mon what a name !!! Oh yeh great story about John Brown !

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

They are great towns, Bill!

[@Starla-zy9le]

There is a history with people from St Marys sspx being involved with the Freemen, being against paying taxes and recently involved with Ammon Bundy's People's Rights Network and being arrested for participating in trump's insurrection at the Capital. They're just very quiet about it. The group attracts extremists.