USA ROAD TRIP ACROSS THE MIDWEST - REALLY THAT BORING?

Many people told us not to bother road tripping through the midwest as there was nothing there - so we thought we'd find out for ourselves.
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Travel vlog 559 | Filmed Nov 2022 | USA Midwest | Country 33/197
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😀 A BIT ABOUT US:
We’re Marianne & Chris, a happily married couple from the UK. Marianne is a living kidney donor to her best friend, and realising that life was for living and never really knowing what’s round the corner - we decided to fulfil our dream of travelling full time.
So in March 2018 after the kids had left home, we sold our belongings, rented our house and moved into our campervan called Trudy. We set off to see the world and after vanlifing around Ireland and Europe, we grabbed our backpacks and spent 5 months exploring Central America.
Feeling like we needed a challenge, we planned the ultimate van life adventure! In Jan 2020 set off to drive around the World from UK to UK. But after arriving in Turkey, covid caught up with us and closed the borders, so we had a wonderful 18 months exploring this special country. Realising we were not going to be able to head further East, we decided to do a handbrake turn and go the other way and shipped our van to the USA.
We hope you enjoy coming with us, and we’ll continue to share our real adventures and hope you feel inspire to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

[@TREADtheglobe]

Have you ever been to any of the Midwest - what do you think- interesting or boring??? If you haven't been would you want to go - let us know what you think . Hope you enjoyed the video - C&M xx

[@meaga2392]

Greetings from Turkey

[@Bearandblanky]

I love the mid west ❤❤ we was in Nebraska in September (on our 3 week road trip from UK) and the sunflower fields were absolutely stunning and seemed to go on forever. Loved it xx 😘

[@mminc4026]

No - I wouldn’t do this journey -based on your vlog I couldn’t stand the long roads and scenery. Not for me!

[@MrAshy200]

I lived in Omaha Nebraska for two years. Absolutely loved the city, state and people. I traveled across the state, went to the black hills, Mount Rushmore, bad lands. It is epic.

[@WaseemSyed]

I built myself a travel trailer and this summer, did Route 66. I agree, the mid-west is boring. Nothing to see 😀

[@carolinegreenwell9086]

I think the epic flatness, huge skies and long straight roads an attraction in themselves

[@TREADtheglobe]

Agreed !

[@angelamckibbin7327]

To stop mice coming in. Leave cotton balls with afew drops of peppermint oil around the van. It really works and is non toxic.

[@ksea9146]

I have driven through most of this country many times over, and there is NOTHING boring about any place. Anyone who is bored is simply not using their eyes, ears, noses, etc. I've lived in the midwest, the south, the pacific northwest. This country is stunning in its own way in every place there is. I believe every road is another opportunity to see how people live, where they live, and what they make of the places they inhabit. Every bit of it is a study in beauty.

[@dalemoore8582]

My friend would say “Only boring people get bored”

[@kiwirose4196]

Im from NZ but have lived here for 24 years. I think that people who grew up to scenery like that find it boring, but for me, when I have very little exposure to so much flat land, or cornfields, it is just so different to me - I do love your adventures - oh, and I am also still facinated by the length of the trains here! I love it how you you get excited by the trains!

[@bdfashions2458]

It's fascinating how different landscapes and environments can be so captivating to people based on their background and experiences. Growing up in a certain type of scenery can indeed shape our perceptions and reactions to different landscapes. It sounds like the flat land, cornfields, and even the length of trains in the area you're currently living in have a special charm and novelty for you, precisely because they differ from what you're accustomed to in New Zealand.

[@ppainterco]

I live in Colorado and will drive to Kansas to visit my daughter. I find beauty in the the prairie and the farms. With two people, you can look around and see some things and look it up on the internet if you’re not driving. For example western Kansas has rock fence posts. When it was settled, there were no trees, but just a few feet beneath the surface is a layer of limestone. The limestone is soft, the settlers would quary the posts and as the limestone dried and oxidized jt got quite hard. You’ll also see houses made from stacked limestone. The US has more kilometers of rails than any other country (I kid you not, look it up), but it’s used almost exclusively for freight. Rail is how any bulk cargo like coal, grain, steel, shipping containers, etc. are moved. If the cargo is perishable like fruit and vegetables, or is needed quickly like pieces of industrial equipment, then it gets shipped by truck.

[@stevennelson9504]

The best mouse bait is peanut butter. The little guys can't resist it.

[@apumpkinsmom]

The "Nodding Donkeys" are called pumpjacks. They extract crude oil from the oil wells, which is then sent to refineries to be turned in to gas.

[@KariAndresen]

That Wizard of Oz tour is hilarious. 😄 I love your enthusiasm for everywhere you visit. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[@TREADtheglobe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephennicholson2833]

We saw those signs about no snow plowing for certain hours too. I think that means that if you are out in the middle of the night, don't expect the roads to be plowed. Only drive during the daylight hours when we are plowing.

[@gregnovak3648]

Since you are in the area, be sure to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.

[@jonathanmason9521]

"Dorothy" needs to check her facts: aluminium is not carcinogenic, and Jack Haley, the actor who played the Tin Man, died from a heart attack at the ripe old age of 81.

[@CruisingVoyageDiaries]

Vermont's picturesque landscapes are calling! Whether you're into skiing, hiking, or simply relaxing, this state has it all. Plan your trip now!

[@RoadTrippin4life]

Your personalities are amazing and I watch you all the time. I want to give you a tip for Trudys windows. Get a spray bottle and fill it with alcohol, spray it on the windows and it will melt the ice. I did this when I lived in Alaska for 5 years. Stay safe.😊

[@stevennelson9504]

What you call "nodding donkeys" are called "pump jacks".

[@gillian7425]

Big Sky Country! Wonderful to follow your adventures through an area I've never been!

[@Janjones7735]

It looks beautiful in your videos. That ice glistening on the fields. So glad you got off the interstate. It’s important for people who have never traveled to the middle of the US to see it to understand the breadth of the US. It’s overwhelmingly vast.

[@shooster5884]

I think I'd go crazy if l lived in the middle of those flatlands!! Imagine only living there til you were a teenager and then going on a trip to some state with mountains, rivers, forests, lakes and a coastline and cities and towns and lots of traffic! Living in the flatland and saying you're going out for a walk.. 'where you going then? ' 'Eh.. I think I'll walk West.. No maybe I'll walk South today! ' 🤣😂

[@koryhaggert2848]

FYI, for scrapping ice/frost off mirrors use debit/credit cards. They're small and do a really good job

[@JB-kd5uv]

Loving your videos - as usual. I drove from Ontario, Canada to Los Angeles in 1990 - before flying to Australia for 6mths. I’m excited to watch you on Route 66 to re-visit my “youth”. Thanks for sharing and for showing your joy in every adventure.

[@cjg8822]

Mice can be very destructive on wires and hoses in engine area! Hopefully it’s caught soon!!

[@cathyholt5215]

I'm so enjoying seeing my country through your eyes!

[@britasmith8008]

All the Countryside in SW Herts UK where I live have been White with frost for the last five days. Very pretty. The temperature has hardly gone above freezing.

[@zmanky17]

I just watched the Wizard of Oz house tour! You guys have to be one of the first people to stop at that place in a while!!!!! again, too funny!

[@paulgribble]

Great video. Bet the mice got through your dropped sliding door. They can get through very tiny places. Bet they were two different mice😊

[@CoastieCastaways]

I found your video of Valdez as that is where our oldest daughter and family live. We live in eastern Oklahoma about 45 minutes south of I-40 and have two full hookups sights. You are welcome to stay if you come through!

[@carmenfigueroa8490]

Omg you guys I truly love to watch you guys are amazingly joyful,happy,fun Well you ñame it a love ❤️ you guys keep up the great videos and the beautiful scenery, the adventure, they healthy, safe and blessed my friend💕🦋🫶🏽♥️

[@bigrobsvan]

I live near Route 66 in Oklahoma, just west of Oklahoma City. I think Amarillo, Texas is the windiest city in the world, and have been fishing a few times at Texoma. You are right, outside the big cities there is a whole lot of nothing to see! If you come through Oklahoma City let me know and I'll buy beer and burgers and even some Christmas cheese for any future mice. :) Safe travels and happy holidays.

[@huacamaya119]

Love, love this video!!! Yes, it could be boring driving through the Midwest. But believe it or not, it is the heartland of the US. Most people think that the US is all about city slicks, concrete jungle and bright lights, but the reality is that most of it is about hardworking people living in the middle of nowhere, dealing with extreme weather and sticking to their traditions and values. That's the true American Spirit. Don't let Hollywood fool you. PS: And...R.I.P. Mickey 🐀🧀

[@mountainprepper2998]

80% of the population lives on the coast.

[@huacamaya119]

@@mountainprepper2998 What coast??

[@TREADtheglobe]

Oh poor Mickey !! Yep Hollywood has done a great job of showing the shiny bits of the USA we have had an incredible time crossing the midwest 🙌🚐🌷

[@huacamaya119]

@@TREADtheglobe ❤

[@mountainprepper2998]

@@huacamaya119 The coast of the United States

[@stacihampton7169]

I loved watching this. Made me so nostalgic for home! I'm from Liberal, Kansas.

[@inekeroos9264]

You are succeeded in showing the amazing SIZE of the states!!

[@TREADtheglobe]

Big thanks

[@petra7322]

Another great video, you two see the beauty in everything💕

[@Joe-xo5ry]

You can buy a car rodent protection spray at Homedepot , it has a very strong peppermint scent which rodents can’t stand. You typically spray it in the engine bay to avoid rodents chewing through cables. Mice is a typical thing you can have in vans, I use it for my van but mostly when it’s parked and not used as to the strong scent. Had once a mouse in my van but never again since I use the spray.

[@klaushuxley3342]

The very best part of the midwest is the most northern part. Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula - The Great Lakes region is highly, highly underrated. That, IMO, is the very best place to be in the summer months.

[@user-ei7ud5oj5b]

Thank you for this video brings back memories of few business road trips.

[@biddiemutter3481]

24:39 what I find fascinating is that they saved it. It seems remarkable foresight to save what could so easily be dumped after use. 28:22, I was going to say that leaving something in the middle of the bedroom floor is a trip hazard, but actually it nullifies the need to be walking around in the middle of the night!

[@higgybee6509]

Fun video to watch as always. I think the frost on the trees is hoar frost, so pretty. I never have heard the expression "horning" pertaining to the train whistle. Made me laugh but then I refer to it as toot or tooting which is also funny when you think about it.

[@susannetoon2709]

Thank you for amazing filming. Very different to how I expected it to be .On your next vlog can you please talk about which state you have enjoyed the most and why?

[@TREADtheglobe]

Hi Susanne - thanks for your comment - we will be doing a live chat soon and I will be asking everyone to suggest questions or if there is a topic that they want us to discuss - I will add this to the list ! M :)

[@TimothyFrench]

You guys are so funny. Love your channel. Subscribed😀

[@elizabethlarose3632]

LOVE THE TRAIN!!! As for nothing to see , all depends on your point of view. Loving all your explorations 💕

[@ilkayhultum5131]

Hi 👋 You are doing well 👍 Thank you for your videos 🙂

[@idabustamante7081]

Hello friends . . your laughter is contagious . . well that mouse had its chance glad the little boger is gone . . tf bringing us along the Wizard of Oz tour . . hope the weather continues to be good for you stay safe happy trails 👣 and take care ❤️🙋‍♀️🎄🎅🎁✨️❄️⛄️

[@pelinbulent4892]

Nope when it involves Tread The Globe nowhere is boring. You’re both so funny especially Marianne waving and jumping at the train driver 😂😂😂. Oh and when it comes to mice we had an incident 4 years ago kept awake from 3am to 7am trying to catch ‘Jerry’ my husband was ‘Tom’. Basically keep all food stuff in plastic containers - they can eat through everything. Clear up crumbs etc. they can fit through a hole small enough to fit a pencil. Glad you managed to get rid of them. You should have your own car-aoke show whilst ‘on the way to Amarillo’ - thanks for showing us great places - I’m loving the Midwest xxx

[@TREADtheglobe]

Ha Ha - thanks 🌺

[@bevtrue6937]

Yes, have to say, really nothing in Central U.S. Plus too cold in anything but the southern states from Nov thru April. Lots of great things all over in the summer.

[@hayleyjones6302]

Really love this channel

[@RoaminRob]

That train hooting part was sooo cool 🚂👍

[@sammayet9002]

Awesome, splendid and beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheLvablebird]

Hola 👋 from southern New Mexico 🌶️🌞😊 Sure did enjoy your vlog. All of it

[@repaid1]

The small pumps you asked about are called "pumpjacks" they are mostly oil, but can be used for natural gas, in that application they are used to pump water up and out to allow the pressurized gas to be collected. Great video, I am thinking the mouse didn't always stay in Trudy, and he was coming and going as you were parked, thus he knew how to get in quickly. When you released him outside he just went back to "his" door and inside again. So perhaps in the future, step out of the van with mouse, drive a bit away, release mouse, quickly pick up authorized passengers😉 and continue down the road?

[@zmanky17]

Hi you two! Been enjoying your trips through our states and Canada....btw, pro tip for ya. If you catch a mouse, don't release it near your van (or under it). :) Too funny! Safe travels to ya

[@wendellgee11]

🎶 Amarillo by Morning 🎶 a song by George Strait.

[@craig1lengyel]

Great video! If you don't want cold make sure you go through the US in September or October. December 14th and its 35 degrees in Connecticut!

[@freelancelady]

I would say come to Florida it is a great time of the year…not hot, not cold, just right

[@fianaj9517]

Hi guys enjoyed the vid, you make your travels seem fun and exciting all the time, I love your energy, i know sometimes long whole travels can seem exhausting and about the rat 🐁 , me and Paul had the same situation with a rat and had to set the trap too. Love from myself and Paul+ kids ❤️❤️❤️

[@mesutozsen903]

Marrianne and Chirs Eline emeğine sağlık bu güzel vlog için kolay gelsin hayırlı işler....👍👍👍👍

[@LValways]

Ty for showing me part of USA that I've never been & I live in USA.😅

[@AvivaHadas]

The ice on the grass is probably Hoar Frost.

[@FnAVanLife]

wow so much to see :| hahah I love how you guys can make the most mundane roadside stops *cough* ammunition mounds *cough* enjoyable. Would love to go on one of these road trips with you to keep the laughs coming! Good luck with the mouse!! See you in Baja?!?!?! :D

[@TREADtheglobe]

Ha Ha - thanks guys xx Yep it would be great to see you there xx

[@brianhepke7182]

I think you handled your "OZ" tour guide very well😁

[@stevenjohnson4656]

You guys rock! However, I now can’t get ‘The way to Amarillo” out of my head!!😂

[@TREADtheglobe]

LOL - sorry !

[@Minombrenolomanejagoogle]

Beautiful trip, love the train driver ❤

[@TREADtheglobe]

Us too!

[@fridaybaldwin5581]

In a very strange coincidence, I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz last week! It's free on kindle as it's so old (1900 I think) , only about 100 pages so good to escape for an hour or so into another world. Very charming book. So I was thrilled to see the museum. Brilliant! Stay awesome xx

[@nickergun4943]

Hello Ambassadors Vast of Nothingness(!!!) But you were capable of showing us do many interesting locations. We went back to our early childhoods. Always good to remember the olden days. Huge Thanks from me. 👍👍👍👏👏It is your colorful personalities make your videos highly interesting and colorful as well. Lots of Loves 💕💕💕from the Family to both. 🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@cindy-ml7vo]

The Amber alert goes across the cell towers in the area. If your cell works you are getting the alert. The more eyes looking, the better chance of dinging the child. Weather warnings works the same. Safe travels.

[@tomf4547]

Last month our govt Sent out the first ever alert. Most of us blocked receiving them due to the deceitful and devious way our govt has behaved in recent years. I know a lot of Canadians that say the system is abused with constant alerts.

[@VandelayIndustriesLLC]

Somehow this video was out of order in your USA playlist...this was last after the one shipping Trudy off to Japan. I watched everyone in the series...what shall I watch next, I don't know, but I look forward to watching more of your exploring, thank you!

[@mariadange06]

Soooo cool the train horning at you wooooo hooooo 🚂

[@Zhenn9413]

Fun video. You guys are so happy. I live in the Midwest. I really think of Nebraska and Kansas as Great Plains states more than Midwest by the way. Having said that, they do fall into the category of “flyover states” as in just what people fly over to get to the coast.

[@toddramsay977]

The silos are coop silos in that area. Every farmer contributes and gets a percentage of the profit based on the adds.

[@Joe-xo5ry]

The alarm you received on your mobile / cell is using cell broadcasting technology. It’s basically an automated alarm send to all mobiles / cells which are connected to a particular cell tower, nothing to subscribe to. All modern mobiles / cell phones can receive cell broadcast. It allows to notify the public in very defined areas I.e missing person, local weather warnings such as storms, tornadoes etc. Very effective!

[@TREADtheglobe]

Yep - it is a great system 👍

[@anthonyellis1409]

Merry Christmas

[@TREADtheglobe]

And to you !

[@sambrad94]

I’m sure it always starts with its absolutely freezing 🤣🤣

[@peterneal7160]

Absolutely loved the 'Dorothy' Museum!! :-)

[@ziggy_bandicoot]

You two are funny. How do you know it's the same mouse, lol 😁

[@TREADtheglobe]

LOL 🙄

[@WaseemSyed]

Hi Marianne & Chris. The alarms you heard are called Amber Alerts. You dont need to subscribe to it, its broadcast to all cellphones connected to a cell tower. Its used to inform the public about child safety related incidents and is a fantastic system. We have it here in Canada too, and usually, in 30-60 minutes, we get a follow up message that the child is safe. Its a brilliant system 👍🏼 Absolutely live your videos 🥰

[@adrianadrian255]

I’m not sure it would be much use in the UK. In North America, the roads can be so long and rare, that a car cannot escape being seen.

[@deb5710]

Great video! Speaking of Amarillo, google country music singer George Strait singing "Amarillo by Morning" a personal favorite! Sorry you didn't do Oklahoma justice on this trip; the panhandle area of Oklahoma is considered no man's land. So when Oklahoma went from being Indian territory to becoming a state in 1907 this strip of land was added to the state. The pretty areas of the Oklahoma are Tulsa south to the Talamena Drive for rolling hills and fall foliage near Tahlequah, OK, and Beaver's Bend Park near Broken Bow, OK for trout fishing an RVer's paradise, maybe next time! Stay safe.

[@bevtrue6937]

I saw part of rt 66. I think in AZ but did not go to most of central U.S. I have to say i don't feel like i was disappointed to have missed much of it. The west coast and east coast was not to be missed. And lots in between but not the central part.

[@sunshinelavender1663]

No cruise!!!! Wow that’s rough

[@jeanlee1911]

we use cheese crackers with peanut butter in our traps i want to go to the Dorthy museum wow.

[@luckybeth777]

Put all edibles in plastic totes with tight lids. You probably have a small hole in your floor, maybe in a storage compartment.

[@1Polglen]

The poe or chamber pot. Yes the youngest had the job. Granny had her chamber pot under the bed and it was my job to empty it. I miss my Gran but not the pot! Has made learning to empty the cassette in my van easy. I love chemicals, at least for that.

[@RollingwithTheRobsons]

I have gotten back into your videos and I am thoroughly enjoying them. I notice your van doesn't have air conditioning how did you cope in Turkey as it must have been boiling in there sometimes.

[@TREADtheglobe]

Windows, Shade and USB fans !

[@traffic71]

What a great video. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Always had a real yearning to do what you are doing in the USA. My wife and I split up a couple of weeks ago. I’ve got two years till I retire at 53. Maybe I can do it then after all.

[@TREADtheglobe]

Sounds like you have a plan !!

[@lindacassell1979]

When you went to the OZ museum.. our family would’ve called this a separation center meaning it’s separate you from your money.. lol

[@tumblina7876]

Are ya headed west to enjoy some rt 66? Maybe to see the big hole Aka the Grand Canyon? If so I’d love to meet ya. I’m just south of the big hole by Bearizona (look it up) 🙃

[@Steve-so4zi]

Oil - Pump jacks. Never heard them called "nodding donkeys!"

[@sandrabutcher1961]

Agreed looks like the movie Twister

[@LiliyZem]

I loooooove you guys💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@vk33771]

Now, I can't stop hearing George Strait singing "Amarillo by Morning"

[@Alaskalad]

What a great trip your having, you must both be really tired of driving nearly every day, do you ever intend to write a book of your travels?

[@TREADtheglobe]

Hi John - I write a free weekly newsletter so that we can keep a record of what, when and how we managed each week - this way if we one day have time to write a book - then we will have a good record of what is what 🌺

[@danielroe-mp4fw]

u all r a hoot! love your red hair

[@g__o__l__d__6673]

nice ty

[@thethreemusketeersvanlife]

You need to get som tupperware type containers to put your food in .....stops smells attracting the meeces .....they can get in the tiniest of holes!!!

[@whereonearth1]

That would do my head in, I’d be stopping every 5 minutes to take photos 😂😂

[@rvnomading6326]

You need my cat!! He can only dream of a mouse in the van. Hugs to you x greetings from Turkey

[@TREADtheglobe]

Oh yes please !! Love from us xx

[@Searchingwithmatt]

Those are pumpjacks. Mostly for crude oil.

[@neilholden7821]

really enjoyed the video. tell me don't you get tired driving in straight lines.

[@ziggy_bandicoot]

You have no presuppositions, hence you find things others wouldn't. If you are going to go any further north again, you need a good winter coat. A real winter coat, like Columbia or North Face. And gloves.

[@ellengriffin1547]

We drove all the way through Kansas East to West. I fell in love with Kansas because I loved the people there. They, in the vast remote country (not in the cities), were real people, and kind. There was no put- on with them. Why else would it be called "heartland" of America?

[@Severon1965]

It`s -5c here in the uk today

[@georgezab2645]

Spray foam or steel wool any holes the size of your finger or larger to keep mice out.

[@TREADtheglobe]

Great tip Thanks

[@scottieming6376]

Me again. Uncle Gus' Mouse Repellant off of Amazon. Amanda swears by it. Good luck. Hope it works for you guys as well.

[@davidterry6155]

I find the smaller the town the more likely they’ll have an drive through ATM. It doesn’t require a person to be there the whole time.