NORTH CAROLINA: Quaint Small Towns That Are Being Swallowed Up By Suburbia

I visited these North Carolina towns: Liberty, Staley & Silar City. These quaint small towns are not far from the Greensboro & Durham metros, which are slowly expanding and will eventually swallow them up. Will the towns lose their personalties & uniqueness? Only time will tell.
Travel vlog 290

[@ReconPro]

Hey everyone, hope all is well ❤😊

[@JanesDough855]

North Carolina is another beautiful State, especially over by the mountainous regions. Thanks for inviting us along!

[@Reese8531]

Right Wilmington,North Carolina is one of the best looking cities in the south!!

[@Marvel-Rogue]

Well somebody's been keeping up that small chruch ⛪ its looking quiet good. @Joe & Nic's Road Trip 🚗😊

[@kelseymcgowan2538]

Merry Christmas Joe and Nic! I hope 2024 brings us more of these great videos, I certainly look forward to seeing more places!

[@keithosterkamp6207]

Just as an FYI. A Turkey shoot is a game of chance with a shotgun. The participants each shoot at a target of their own and the person who has a pellet closest to the X in the center of the target wins. Winnings can be cash or a prize, occasionally it could be a platter of meat. But no actual turkey are harmed at the actual shoot.

[@m39fan]

Bet you never dreamed you would ever have to explain that huh?

[@keithosterkamp6207]

I’m not terribly surprised. I thought maybe those were a regional thing and possibly he didn’t know, or he was just teasing talking about it being good for everybody, but the turkey.

[@ThunderTheBlackShadowKitty]

​@@keithosterkamp6207 Sounds fun. In my region we have a thing called Dirty Santa were we gather up a big pile of gifts but they aren't named to anyone. We go in order from first to last and pick a present to open. The idea is that as each person opens the gifts, you can either keep what you get, or swap gifts with someone else. You get to 'steal' their gift if you think you want theirs more, or they can take yours. It's pretty fun.

[@keithosterkamp6207]

I have experienced that too, but don’t remember what we called it. Lots of laughs.

[@davidhayter8516]

In Australia we have a Christmas game called Kris Kringle each bring a gift put them in a pile and then take turns, swapping or ‘stealing’.

[@TimothyFrench]

Life is changing for many small towns in NC as more people move in and around our larger cities.

[@TOCC50]

Layne Staley

[@catlover614]

Another great video ! I just love these small country towns, so much character, and always different and interesting. The little church you visited at the beginning of the video is amazing ! Thank you so much for all the wonderful videos, Joe and Nicole, and wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !😊🎄❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, CL. :)

[@stewartcarroll304]

Loved taking the journey across America with you. Looking forward to 2024. Europe, maybe? Merry Christmas🎄

[@Madskillsuniversity]

I love your channel. No drama, just relaxing, entertaining and educational video, ride-a-longs. Thank you for the enjoyable peace of mind. I love that church at these beginning and seeing these small towns. People in town like this are really nice! Happy Holidays to your and your wife!!! Been married for over 30 years - and loving every minute of it. LOL. 💘💘

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! Happy Hollidays to you and your family as well.

[@zerxilk8169]

Thats good they take very good care of their town. You must care about where you live.

[@deni9626]

That Baptist Church actually brought tears, it had so much love and emotion. Those cushions still held some souls I believe. What a wonderful feeling and window into the past.

[@claregale9011]

Hi , visit England or any other country in the u.k and Ireland you will see buildings 5 times the age of this building, the oldest church in England is dated from 597 . 😊

[@jackiejackson4476]

Joe that ole church is fabulous THANK FOR THIS TOUR and all the travels you have allowed me to join you on 💜💙💚❤️🤍🤎💛🖤🧡

[@kathleens.laroche754]

Absolutely love seeing that primitive church and all the other old buildings you show. Have a nice Christmas!

[@jh76103]

Francis Bavier (Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show) lived out her retirement in Siler City and is buried there. I thought there was an Aunt Bee's restaurant in Siler City, but there are locations in Mount Airy, NC (AG's hometown and inspiration for Mayberry) and Pilot Mountain, NC (Mount Pilot) as well as a couple other locations.

[@daveschmarder-1950]

Silar City was often mentioned on the Andy Griffith Show back in the 60's. Merry Christmas!

[@JJJBRICE]

Siler City NC , not Solar City or Silar City . Siler City was the town that the actress who played Aunt Bee on TAGS chose to live in her latter years .

[@daveschmarder-1950]

@@JJJBRICE I was close, but no cigar. Thanks.

[@JJJBRICE]

@@daveschmarder-1950 No worries! I often wonder why Miss Bavier chose to live there instead of AGs hometown of Mt. Airy like Miss Lynn did in her latter years .

[@bthomson]

So incredible they let you go in and look around that old church!

[@deanhoward8155]

My deceased mother's whole family are from North Carolina (Waynesville area). Its a nice state but I haven't traveled into the the western parts much so thanks for this video Joe. Just a note, Siler City and Raleigh are both mentioned on the Andy Griffith show so yeah the demographics probably have changed dramatically since that show aired. Although Mayberry is not a real town, Mt Airy is and is the home town of Mr Griffith. Mount Pilot is another town in the show that's not real but Pilot Mountain, the town it was named after is and it's close to Mt Airy. Joe, if you and anyone else reading this ever get a chance to visit Mt Airy you should. They have a week long "Mayberry Days" celebration with all sorts of events, activities, trivia contests, a golf tournament, a parade, comedy and music entertainment going on continuously throughout the entire town. Actors still living from the show are there (and sometimes their relatives) as well as impersonators of all the main characters such as Barney Fife are scattered everywhere you go. I was able to meet the actors who played Romena, Charlene Darling and Thelma Lou, who was actually living there at the time. She has since passed. She told me she kept having break ins at her home in California and decided to move to Andy's home town where everything was slower living and she was well loved by the residents. Merry Christmas Everyone.

[@yawndave]

Wow, the reveal of the inside of the church was pretty surprising! It looks to be in really good shape--I wonder how much of it is original to 1802 and how much has been replaced over the years (like a "church of Theseus", so to speak) I would love to check out the Heritage Museum. Local museums like that always have a couple of unique items that make a visit worthwhile. And the folks working there are usually more than happy to talk about the town and its history. Best wishes to you, Nic and the family for Christmas...happy trails!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, YD!

[@marciahutchinson9444]

I am very impressed looking in the past. I am from Jamaican west Indians living in Florida.

[@DavidSmith-fr1uz]

These are towns within 50 miles of me. I have not seen any but Liberty. This makes me want to visit a few of them. Thanks for the introductions.

[@davidmahan4160]

I love your videos Joe. They are very informative and educational. The fact you research the towns from various sources shows. 😊👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@amel2784]

Thank you for showing us this beautiful old log church. It's amazing.

[@user-lw7mw1cj5k]

Joe, before Texas, I lived in Delaware and chicken processing was almost exclusively done by Hispanic migrants on the Delmarva Peninsula. There were towns where the entire population was mostly associated with chicken processing. It is a hard industry where the workers put their bodies on the line risking injury to send home money to their families. The store you passed in town provides that exact service. It appears this is the situation with the last town you visited. It is becoming changed by the influx of migrant chicken workers. The first town you visited and specifically the Primitive Baptist Church was fascinating indeed. The chinking between the logs and the balcony were neat. I could imagine the church filled to capacity on a Sunday. It would be an impressive sight. Thanks again for sharing your video with us. You have the knack of choosing the right subject matter that makes your videos so interesting.

[@kevinellis3175]

And you’re ok with those changes?

[@marthakierstead3415]

Great video ! My son and his wife live in the suburbs of Raleigh . Was very rural until recently and housing developments popping up all over. Merry Christmas Joe and Nic 🎄🎅🏻

[@denisem.1042]

No turkeys were harmed at the turkey shoot. 😆

[@loisc5232]

Joe & Nic just love all your videos, look forward & never miss a one. Have a great Christmas & happy New Year.

[@bcpatterson012]

Another awesome Video Joe..I love the shadow of you on the pavement reading from your Cell & holding your Camera with the other hand while reciting facts & figures of the small Town your visiting..so fascinating to listen to & watch as you do so..

[@cecoya]

Thank you for sharing. I used to live in NC for a while and it seemed pretty laid back then. Have a wonderful Holiday and safe travels

[@trevr10]

Seeing the primative wooden church made me wonder if the church that predates our main church looked like that. Building commenced in 1309 on the church we now have, built in stone with one of the tallest towers at 266ft 9 inches (added later) but a wooden church was on the site beforehand from around 654. Another interesting video.

[@whortle]

I’m really enjoying seeing your videos from your road trip. Keep ‘em coming, please. (I’m 81 and don’t get around much [health].)

[@JJJBRICE]

On the Joe and Nic vids i always look to the health care costs , a key to an older population .

[@mariapierce2707]

Thank you my grandparents were Primitive Baptists from North Carolina.

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

Beautiful old church Joe ❤

[@NEConforti]

Getting caught up, pretty cool to finally be one of those in the comments like, hey, I know those places. Great video as always.

[@jburnett8152]

Cat ran away. He didn't like being called a girl. 😺 Merry Christmas to you and Nicole. 🎅

[@standupbcounted2420]

Joe & Nic, thank you for all you do to bring awareness to these small towns in the US. I love all the unique things in these towns. Merry Christmas to you and your family 💪🏿 🙏🏾 ❤💯.

[@609lawson]

Thanks Joe enjoyed the video, my Son-N-Law grew up in Liberty and joined the Navy and spent a dozen years as a submariner till he married our daughter

[@RedArrowDoug]

The high Latino population doesn't surprise me being a food processing plant. Same in Kennett Square PA due to the mushroom processing facilities.

[@Hamza-xc9kb]

Joe we would love to see your grand daughters and your family members. Looking forward to Christmas videos

[@gaylordfrancisco8928]

Merry Christmas to you and your family! May this coming year be full of blessings and success! Wish you Joe and Nic all the best always! 🎉

[@marksnyder8022]

Great video as always. I have been through Liberty and Siler City long ago, in the late 1980s. I liked both towns. Liberty seems to be gentrifying a bit. Food Lion remains my fave grocery chain of all time (I am typing this at work, at an office building for one of the largest grocery chains in the country -- not FL 🤫). Siler City seems to have run "afowl" of their chicken processing plant. The article is essentially right. Jobs in the meat packing business are hard and low-paying. They are frequently staffed by poorly educated people, often from other countries. Families require both parents to work just to try to make it. This leads to all sorts of problems, including drugs and alcohol, all which are going to result in an increase in violence and theft. I really liked the old churches. The Carolinas really have a lot of old churches, large and small. The loft in the Primitive Church could have been for children, but was probably for slaves. Big plantations frequently held services for the slaves on the grounds, but North Carolina didn't have a lot of those, so the few slaves on a property often went to chuch with their white family, the slaves sitting in the back or up in a mezzanine. Good to see some of the Tarheel state again after all these years. *Here's hoping you and Nicole and all your loved ones have a Merry Christmas🎄 and Happy New Year🎆!!* And we'll see more towns and cats in 2024!

[@NativeNYer]

Ty ! Great tour of these towns! Happy a Merry Christmas . Safe travels home

[@cindyhughes7452]

Merry Christmas from Texas 🎄⛄️

[@nancysimpson4246]

Wow wow that’s is awesome. So cool.😮❤ that church is unbelievable. The one that was built in the 1800s wow I really enjoy your videos, you bring a lot a lot of knowledge to the world😊

[@bluegrassers]

Really enjoyed this video Joe. Keep ‘em coming. 👍

[@bayoumanbryan]

im always happy to see a new video released. I look forward to them. Im so glad to see yalls channel doing good. i appreciate your work. Beautiful towns. Merry Christmas

[@markcocklin9735]

happy Christmas I can't get enough of your channel.. its showing me a country i probably will never get a chance too actually visit.. thank you and happy New year.. 🎉

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@nataliehale2312]

I just discovered you while looking for something else . I love to ride with y'all through rural Mississippi,I listened and took notes to share with my children and friends....I also will tell them about this fantastic discovery❤️🤗

[@marilyneves8856]

Merry Christmas Joe and Nic! 🎄 Thank you so much for the great video's! All the best from Devon, England!

[@lindahill6976]

Your new table of information for comparisons is great. It lets people compare town to town. For anyone thinking of relocating, this is a huge bonus of info. Great holiday season to Nicole & you. The great guy in the red suit allows loved his triple Jacks left next to the eggnog & shortbreads on the BIG eve before leaving the gifts.

[@mort5490]

Hello, Joe and Nicole. Holidays are upon us wishing you and your family a blessed holiday season. Along with a happy new year.

[@Steve-ow4jt]

Another great video as always. There is just something special about small town America. A certain feel that you just can't get in the over populated concrete jungles. Don't get me wrong, there certainly are plenty of big cities worth the visit. I hope that you, Nicole and family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God bless all of you during this holiday season and throughout the year to come. Looking forward to the next video. Until then stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jerroldmcley4347]

That's what I like about exploring the inside of buildings I wish you would go in more like old houses 🏘️ please

[@sandrahansen83]

Merry Christmas Joe and Nicole and family. Lovely video. Melbourne Australia

[@pstan5899]

hope to see the family, thx, Merry Christmas to you and yours

[@MrMilwaukee]

Thanks for another interesting video Joe. Merry Christmas and safe travels back to Dallas. I’m looking forward to the next adventure!

[@samchapple6363]

A happier trip. Great documentary

[@janellek21]

Hope you and Nic and your family all have a merry Christmas!

[@lindadavis1631]

Happy Holidays.Thanks for the ride . See you next time.👍👍💕

[@zoidmo3388]

Merry Christmas Joe & Nicole. Expressions of luv & complete admiration for you both are sent today. You've been putting joy in my life for some years now. I thank you. 🥰 God Bless You!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@juliogonzales5441]

Thanks Joe and nic 😊

[@debby891]

Absolutely beautiful ❤

[@susiecredeur6969]

Merry Christmas y’all. Have enjoyed your trips.

[@davidroberson8030]

Wow that Dollar general with gas pumps I wish we had one at our Dollar general down the street 24 miles I'd like to see that. Yeah that town is pretty nice. Right on and thanks for another great video Joe and Nicole.

[@ucukaoma4551]

Fascinating!!!

[@brendaz9222]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@drcandor]

Yes always good footage, and safe travels. . . :>/

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@lorriebeckhusen9351]

Hope you and Nicole have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year! And congrats on almost 400k subs!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you so much!

[@bukimoore2645]

Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee of the Andy Griffith Show) lived out her retirement in Siler City and was laid to rest there!

[@davidglad]

Merry Christmas, Joe and Nic! Any outtake reels for the holidays? Maybe it just comes to mind as you remarked that one shop looked like something you might find in Mexico, at the same time somebody walks out. (My impression is they probably could hear you say that, lol.) At least I assume there must be some odd/quirky conversations that were struck up while filming or right before momentarily pausing.

[@edomin2762]

Looking forward to watch the Christmas video. Until then wish a merry Christmas and happy new year 🎊🎆🎈

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

The church in the opening of your video is gorgeous ! I’d love to tour it. I also like Liberty, NC. Very nice town. I love NC but it’s a bit warm in the summer. Merry Christmas Joe and Nicole❤.

[@kbittorf335]

Wow, nice! Reminds me of the time I paid a visit to the area just south near Pinehurst-Southern Pines. About the same time of year as well. Very charming state! 👍

[@arthurcontrivida7227]

Happy Holiday Lord and Lady Spoda..Mabuhay!!.

[@onrycodger]

Hope you two had an awesome Christmas 🎄 Thumbs up 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@ShaqElliot]

Dollar General gas stations. Lord Spoda strikes again with another vlogger gem.

[@brenttoman5485]

Evening Joe! Really Kool show ! It’s a barometer of how a town or city is doing by the fact the downtown in the first two towns had public Christmas Decorations on the utility poles. Also for the size of the towns a good number of shops appeared to have some or recent activity. The Dollar General with the Gas Bar was a nice touch ! 1 Cat in the yard and it’s Christmas ! Merry Christmas to you and your family and thank you again for the wonderful entertainment!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@Mariel_Moon]

Your videos are so interesting. US is so different from Sweden where I live. Love your videos. Merry Christmas to you Joe and Nic. ❤

[@dr.ramanandan]

That old church in Sandy Creek is very interesting.

[@stevenbrite4056]

Have a very Merry Christmas brother God bless!!!

[@endurancegoliath4569]

another great video...and merry christmas to you both

[@user-uy3jz1rc9x]

🎄🎅 merry christmas and happy holidays to you i love your channel. thx

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

The lady at 19:50 looked like she was coming out of the store to run you off! LOL

[@louisjardine1158]

I have to say that I subscribed around a month ago and probably seen and liked most of Your videos. I really enjoy them and You help me pass the time during the winter here in Menomonie WI. That would be so fun doing what You are doing. Merry Christmas Joe and Nic from Lou !!! :)

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cherienafo7676]

🎄Have a wonderful Xmas Joe & Nicole. * and a great New Year. Looking forward to seeing your Xmas video !! Cheers, CY in Australia.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Happy holidays!

[@oma89r]

Nice!!!

[@jonathanlee5185]

Thanks

[@RolandElliottFirstG]

Will be interesting to see south of there, the weather looks to be good

[@doogalloonni]

Have a great Holiday Kids!

[@bttrflygal]

Merry Christmas to you and Nic

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Merry Christmas Joe and Nic from Australia.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

Wez-lee-an

[@kathleens.laroche754]

I would do Wez-lee-en, but yuh.

[@RodneyUmbstead-nv1yz]

Great videos!! The most intriguing videos for me were the border films. I do not live close to the US/Mexico border and it was fascinating to see areas along the Rio Grande river!

[@stein-fredricsvendsen8530]

This is my favorite Channell

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

The primitive Baptist church was interesting. The loft with ladder was most probably for enslaved people. Happy Holidays.

[@timsimmons5190]

Omg I screamed when you said gas at dollar general 😂😂

[@alanjones3874]

An old colored man in my town said , the black folks liked setting in the balconies in the old time churches . Not because they had to , but up there they were closer to heaven , and could look done on the sinners .

[@mariapierce2707]

I'd heard the same.

[@Geneviev285]

It’s very Shameful that you still use the word ‘colored’ in this day and age…!!!!!🙄

[@alanjones3874]

I`m just an old man . Since I came along way before the new words for black were invented , guess i`ll stick with the old ways .@@Geneviev285

[@kevinellis3175]

Just because their are a lot of mixed people doesn’t mean everyone gets along.

[@CJ-ko6my]

Toyota is building a battery plant in liberty. Home prices/ rent is soaring. Really it’s just a suburb of Greensboro and Burlington. The church at the beginning looked more like an old tobacco barn than a cabin.

[@stevethomas3654]

You missed a cat in Staley. Always cool videos folks

[@johnnymidas5879]

EARLY MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅 BROTHER SPODES... HAVE A GREAT 2024... SAFE TRAVELS.❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, man!!