Mark Laita from SWU did a lot for the Whittaker family. I hate when people say he exploited them. That's just bs. The Whittaker family are wonderful loving people. So happy with everything that they fixed and bought for the house.
How much money did they collect...I bet they are having people stop by there house all hrs.I mean it went world wide....People always like a freak show....I mean it was done at the county fairs or circus midway....Look at the freak show same thing Don't you think? Mark made more money then.They did.....he should build them a new house.And have hospice come by and check there vitals....Not to ask them questions they don't understand ...He's from the west coast...They talk southern slang...Anyway it's just another freak show...
Odd is a beautiful little place, looks very peaceful. Not going to lie, I enjoyed seeing the Whittaker place, but I also would never stop there and disturb their peace.
Thank you for your respect to the Whittaker family; and - knowing the worry of entering a private drive. I am from Charleston departing for the south age 14 yet you never lose that mountain instinct; now in Florida - so rural can't see my other neighbors - Florida, the same spot for 45 years. And - there are two track lanes within a mile of me and among 100's that I would never dare explore; it's somewhat like West Virginia but flat, I love visiting West Virginia through your lens and daring explorations and descriptions; paramount - your respect for others. It's a fact that those hollers call out to us (my age 71) Peace
I don't know why you won't allow comments about the Whittaker family video you did but I wanted to say I thought your comments about the Soft Underbelly videos was off base. I don't see them being exploitive at all as the videos have been extremely respectful of the Whittaker family and I believe everyone who has watched them came away feeling great compassion and heartfelt gratitude that someone is trying to help them. The videos have brought an income to the family and improved their living conditions considerably. I am so thankful someone cares enough to help them and have brought such widespread interest and support to the family. Thank you to Mark Laita and Soft Underbelly series which has highlighted the Whittaker family. It's been a blessing to them.
@@realappalachia I did watch it and that’s not what he said or meant so why are you twisting what he said to justify your own personal views? No need to justify it by twisting what he said about it. Just own it and agree to disagree and move on. He’s done a world of good for these folks which is a good thing. Guess you could say every documentarian or photographer is exploiting people but that’s not what you said in your video. You said his exploitation of them was distasteful. Disagree completely. He could not have been more respectful of them.
This done Odd right. Very classy. I hope this video takes off to counterbalance other videos about Odd and this part of the world. It looks beautiful and VERY rural.
You turned around in my ex N laws driveway lol ( great people). I lived in Odd for a yr and a half, across from a pony farm. It was a beautiful, peaceful place to live. The Whittakers have had so many people terrorizing them for decades, they are completely harmless people that deserve to have respect for their privacy and I thank you for being respectful!! We've actually had to block the road to keep people from going to throw rocks and eggs at their house. I hope they are doing well and the harassment has stopped.
It is beautiful there! That is absolutely terrible how people treat the Whittakers!! I don’t understand how some people can be so cruel. Thank you for the kind comments! - Melody
Who would terrorize them? Did that happen before they "rose to fame"? I really hope the harassment hasn't gotten worse. I hear the neighbors look out for them-kudos to the neighbor's for looking out for these gentle souls.
@@bluejay9890 my cousin just told me last week that someone was in the local store asking about where the live. I've known them since I was a child and I'm 44 now, and they've always been harassed. They're not famous at all, they're just the same people I've always known and now they're just getting more harassment since the first RUclips video came out yrs ago. The police would go down there drinking with teenage girls and harass them just to show off. It's always been a problem since before I was even born and the only thing that has changed is that more people want to aggravate them.
@@melissacole1821 That's so awful! I'll never understand why anyone would want to harass these folks. All this family wants to do is survive as best they can. I don't understand what makes someone take pleasure in making life even harder for people who already have it so hard. There's a special place in hell for those people who are harassing them.
I went to Odd Elementary. We had to walk up and down that hill. The bus stop was at the main road. 2nd and 3rd grade and 5th and 6th grade were in the same rooms. I acquired the homemade roll recipe from the retired cook several years later after it closed, also the spaghetti recipe. Thats when they actually cooked. Thanks for the video.
WOW! You probably had an interesting road to reach Odd. I haven't been to Odd, but many, many times to Beckley and surrounding areas. Hope you find some time to visit the Beckley Mine Exhibit. A wonderful video as usual by two sweet, adorable people!!
Thank you, Judy! It was an “Odd Road”, haha, that’s actually what it was called! It was very narrow and curvy but thankfully not too far from the interstate. - Melody
Thanks for showing this. It is a lovely drive. Two more awesome places are the home of Alfred Beckley and the Whipple Company store. Lots of cool history.
Enjoyed this ! Very beautiful drive through odd! Raleigh county is very beautiful! The mansion on the hill is beautiful! The road the Whittakers live on is very beautiful! Thanks guys ! Stay safe always and God bless you always....🙏❤
Thank you both for another very enjoyable video. Odd was a bit east of my trip through West Virginia last week If i go again I would like to drive through. I started my drive in Hinkley, and drove north for 6 days, at one point taking the coal mine tour in Beckley as I saw in one of your videos. I had a great time just driving, stopping off and enjoying the beauty of West Virginia, and would like to thank both of you for many inspiring videos.
I remember going to a small school about twice the size of that one. Kinda think we Need to get back to Small Schools instead of the huge schools our children go to now. Hat's off to the teachers with what they deal with. Thanks for showing us around Odd.
hello, Real Appalachia. thanks for brining us along. I am from across the world and find your videos very entertaining and enlightening. Also, I agree what you mean about SWU. very exploitative. I hardly ever get out so these drive-alongs are truly fun.
Beautiful country. Let me join all the other folks who have thanked you for the respect you've shown to the Whittakers. Another viewer used the word "class," and that definitely fits. It's amazing that the huge newer home you came upon was relatively close to the Whittaker place, but I think that's one of the things that makes these areas and your videos so remarkable. This is a part of the country that's full of complexity and depth that you need to take time to get familiar with. You both offer the sensitivity and sense of understanding that makes you just right for the job of presenting Real Appalachia to people who love the area. Sorry for going off topic, but I'm so sorry to see the devastation that has hit Kentucky with these floods. It looks like places we're so familiar with, like Breathit and Harlan Counties and others have been hit very hard. I'm hoping that a lot of prayers and material support can be focused on the tremendous needs that people in those areas are trying to cope with now. I have a feeling these are not folks who are going to be asking for a lot of help. Even though they need it. 😞
Thank you so much for the kind words! We tried to do exactly that so we appreciate it! And yes, we are so heartbroken about KY. We have heard of and seen so many pictures of the devastation. We are praying and donating and encourage all who can and will to do the same! - Melody
More importantly, I hope and pray for all the followers of this channel who are being adversely effected by the flooding as well as all others that they are safe and well.
I work for a church group driving back from florida to toronto was helping out with the damage from hurricane Ian in fort myers, decided to call the Whittakers and ask if they would like any help with groceries , betty is such a nice lady . My family and i went by today to drop off the grocries they all came outside gave us a hug They truly are wonderful loving kind people ❤
Hey guys love the video I've been going to some of the places you guys have been I've been enjoying myself just wanted to thank you for getting me out of the house my husband passed away 5 years ago and I just retired this year so I thought maybe traveling around and seeing some stuff would get me out of the house and get me a relaxing and it has so thanks a lot y'all have a good time
Thanks for the video. I had to see more of this place after seeing the soft white underbelly video because you really can't make that up. A very strange family from a place named Odd. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
You for sure are in the boonies in Odd WV, lol. I think I have heard of Odd WV. But I have never been there. What towns are near this place? Cool video thanks for sharing thumbs up. Stay well & safe guys. God bless you.
Every video ya'll do is awesome. Born and raised and West Virginia proud. Graduate of MU in Huntington WVa in 1994 and grew up in the Shenandoah Valley near Martinsburg. If y'all ever get up near Arden WVa. Let me know. Head out to Lewis Brothers Orchard and get ya some fresh peaches. That's my kin folk. Tell em Mark sent ya! God Bless ya both and keep up the good work🙂
Beautiful area..thank you guys for the ride along and most certainly for the respect!! If I'm not mistaken that road..or 1 very near it..comes out at the top of Arista mtn on the Wyoming Co. Line from 1 your other videos
Lovely video, showed me exactly whati wanted to see. Things that Google cant. Pro tip btw(if you can), make the uturn turning backwards. It let's the owners know you're turning around and not a threat. Also protects you better from bullets lol
It's a great work in progress and many of the people who live here in town went there as a kid. We plan to leave the sign on the school and put up an info flyer box for tourists who come by to see the school. It is one of only two standing wooden schoolhouses in the state. We don't have any personal ties to the school or the town, we just loved the idea of living in a school and renovating it into a home. We will preserve the schoolhouse history for the town.
That is so awesome and such an honorable thing! As you can tell, we’re all about preserving history, so we applaud you and your family!! It looks so great and we’ll be excited to visit in the future and see the progress! - Melody
Beautiful country obviously, but the thing thing that stands out is there. Gorgeous place though, and do not let anything else take away from that and it’s good folks.
You need to venture across the Ohio River in southen Ohio. the lower qtr of the state is very similar to Wva, Va, Tn and so on. Wed be glad to give you some direction. Weve got amish country over here too.
Don't know what it's called now. But it was called Ood like old growing up from Hawk's Nest to Clay County West Virginia. My parents both were born in West Virginia and I have been there many times. Oh it has changed! Now I am in North East Tennessee near Bristol. Love the mountains.
I know you said driving through the hollers their is eyes on you always is it safe to drive through them? I like exploring county roads and stuff but should I not explore them?
It honestly depends on where you’re at. 9 times out of 10 you’d be fine. The key is how you approach it, if you wave first at people and prove to be open and no threat then you’re usually fine. The deeper in you go, the more dangerous it gets I would say because people are less and less used to seeing strangers
Hello from Brisbane Australia ~ I love the scenery everything is so pretty. I’ve been following the story of the Whittakers they all seem friendly thank you for your respect towards them
Laita did exploit the Whittakers, just because he gave money and did fund raising for them does not take away from the sensationalist reporting and exploitation . He could have reported with still keeping the family’s dignity intact. He did not need to focus on the nature of the disabilities and why they are that way. Laita chose this approach. It was disgusting that he justifies it by saying he wants to show the poor people of the region.
I had a white goat called Otis but a lot of friends called him Odie O. (kinda like Odd) He was so well known, some people even declared him the Mayor of Toms Brook! (Va)😊
Hi Melody&Shane, At 10:50 on the right there is the Whitticker home. This is where that sorry "donkey" gained his recognition. Such a pretty area in the county of Raleigh, Im like you all, I want that schoolhouse to live in lol. Very well made video! God Bless you both! (Glen). WV.
And yet they are so kind as to not even mention that. That is what happens when channel actually has some integrity and respect they do not even seek them out as some other clown car that drove that just "happened" to run across them.😀
@@chubbawubba6959 I’m 2 years late but they definitely mentioned it at 9:11 when they passed it the first time. 😂 they knew what they were doing, like everyone else.
A beautiful area, everything is so green. Where i am its all burnt brown. I have wondered how it got the name. And I am aware of the Whittaker family , it's great that the neighbours watch over them .
Not exactly sure when this was filmed....any idea if this area was affected by the floods....I worry about all the people who had to weather the storms and flooding. TY
So, when you guys pulled off the road, a red nissan frontier passed. That was the Whittakers. Unless there are two of the same exact truck in Odd. Highly doubtful.
I have an odd story about Odd. If you keep driving on that road, you'll come to a railroad crossing. But there haven't been any trains for a very long time-long enough for there to be small trees growing between the rails. Maybe 2 or three inches in diameter. But there is a railroad signal, low to the ground, that still has a red light burning. Trees don't grow that much overnight. Looking at the tracks, it's obvious that there haven't been any trains running on them for a very long time, So why is that light still burning? Who's paying the electric bill, and why?
Melody you state that your family is from Grayson county Virginia. My wife who passed a little over three years ago was from Grayson county also. Her family is from the Rugby community. Just wondering what part of the area your family was from. Was hoping you guys would have shown up at heritage day in Rural Retreat yesterday!!
That’s awesome! I love Grayson county and feel such a connection there. My family was from the Troutdale/Razor Ridge area. I believe we missed hearing about that one but I would love to see it so hopefully next year! Thanks! - Melody
@@realappalachia thank you for answering my question bout sweet Grayson county! Heritage day at rural retreat is the last Saturday in July. I will remind you next year lol
Hey guys what a great video I love the story of finding a name! I worked with a guy from eastern KY his name was Ora his mom and dad said we came name him Mike or’a James or’a Steve hey! The one said to the other let’s name him Ora!!!!! Love the videos
Let's be honest you keep bringing up the Whittakers for views so please stop acting so much better than any and everyone else that part is a little annoying 😥 be honest did you go back to the Whittaker place after you stopped filming cause I notice you stopped filming around there house and was all of a sudden "done with the video" 😆 (that was slick btw) but over all its a beautiful town with beautiful ppl and I'm going to end on that note 😉
You drove past the Whittaker house ? Wow. I'd be a little scared to do that because their neighbors are apparently very protective and regularly turn outsiders away.
@@realappalachia I understand. May be done with that intention or with the intent to prevent touristy type crowding. Either way, it's a very heart warming video and I ended up watching a few of your other videos on the hollers (I believe it's local slang for "hollow" meaning a valley) of WV. You've been very respectful of people's privacy in your videos. It helps to know these places that most people would never get a chance to visit, and yet, I can watch it from the couch of my living room in new york. I love these new experiences. Travel on ✌️thank you
Rewatching, I never realized that you can see what looks to be Ray and hear the oldest sibling say something to yall when you drove by. Might have been car noice but sounded like her. Pretty cool
Living in NJ I love this area of Virginia and West Virginia. I really enjoy your videos. I always "follow" your trips by going on Google maps and using the street view. It's like riding along with you. Thanks for the trips
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Tks for taking us along to Odd!! More importantly, respect for honoring the privacy of the Whittaker family.
Mark Laita from SWU did a lot for the Whittaker family. I hate when people say he exploited them. That's just bs. The Whittaker family are wonderful loving people. So happy with everything that they fixed and bought for the house.
How much money did they collect...I bet they are having people stop by there house all hrs.I mean it went world wide....People always like a freak show....I mean it was done at the county fairs or circus midway....Look at the freak show same thing Don't you think? Mark made more money then.They did.....he should build them a new house.And have hospice come by and check there vitals....Not to ask them questions they don't understand ...He's from the west coast...They talk southern slang...Anyway it's just another freak show...
Turns out that they exploited him and his audience, at least the family members who are intellectually adults did.
@@unapologeticallyamy9031 thats true i just found that about it the other day, its sad Mark is really the only one who cared
Odd is a beautiful little place, looks very peaceful. Not going to lie, I enjoyed seeing the Whittaker place, but I also would never stop there and disturb their peace.
They have almost 50 million views on RUclips and you have just shown how to get to there home.
@@mixbk-gk1qv most people know that the people of odd protect them I meen the guy that did the doc got a shot Gun pulled on him
@@mixbk-gk1qv very good point...
Much Kudos for treating people with respect. You both give us a lot of valuable information about a truly unique and beautiful part of the world.
They were so sh*tty about Mark expoiting the Whitakers but they use their house as their thumbnail...Hmmmm...well that's interesting.
Another interesting journey.! Thank you so much for taking us along. You guys are a hoot! Enjoy your weekend!!! 💕
Thank you for your respect to the Whittaker family; and - knowing the worry of entering a private drive. I am from Charleston departing for the south age 14 yet you never lose that mountain instinct; now in Florida - so rural can't see my other neighbors - Florida, the same spot for 45 years. And - there are two track lanes within a mile of me and among 100's that I would never dare explore; it's somewhat like West Virginia but flat, I love visiting West Virginia through your lens and daring explorations and descriptions; paramount - your respect for others. It's a fact that those hollers call out to us (my age 71) Peace
God bless you grandpa
Love watching You're kind, polite, respectful humble people. I never been to west Virginia. I do like viewing it with y'all
Thank ya'll for treating folks with love, and Mr Shane your partners smile lights up my living room. love ya'll
Thank you!! Sending our love and appreciation!! - Melody
I’m from Besoco, just down the mountain from Odd. It’s a beautiful and quiet area of Raleigh County. Thank you for showing everyone around.
I love how you hear lorraine chatting away while drive past them the first time ❤️
Aww, haha, I didn't even hear that! I rewound it when I came across your comment and heard her. 😄
10:46 ?
I don't know why you won't allow comments about the Whittaker family video you did but I wanted to say I thought your comments about the Soft Underbelly videos was off base. I don't see them being exploitive at all as the videos have been extremely respectful of the Whittaker family and I believe everyone who has watched them came away feeling great compassion and heartfelt gratitude that someone is trying to help them. The videos have brought an income to the family and improved their living conditions considerably. I am so thankful someone cares enough to help them and have brought such widespread interest and support to the family. Thank you to Mark Laita and Soft Underbelly series which has highlighted the Whittaker family. It's been a blessing to them.
You obviously haven’t watched Laita’s interview with Joe Rogan where he even admitted there’s an element of exploitation to it himself.
@@realappalachia I did watch it and that’s not what he said or meant so why are you twisting what he said to justify your own personal views? No need to justify it by twisting what he said about it. Just own it and agree to disagree and move on. He’s done a world of good for these folks which is a good thing. Guess you could say every documentarian or photographer is exploiting people but that’s not what you said in your video. You said his exploitation of them was distasteful. Disagree completely. He could not have been more respectful of them.
This done Odd right. Very classy. I hope this video takes off to counterbalance other videos about Odd and this part of the world. It looks beautiful and VERY rural.
Thank you!
Thank you for respecting the residents’ privacy and just keep on driving by. Beautiful area.
You turned around in my ex N laws driveway lol ( great people). I lived in Odd for a yr and a half, across from a pony farm. It was a beautiful, peaceful place to live. The Whittakers have had so many people terrorizing them for decades, they are completely harmless people that deserve to have respect for their privacy and I thank you for being respectful!! We've actually had to block the road to keep people from going to throw rocks and eggs at their house. I hope they are doing well and the harassment has stopped.
It is beautiful there! That is absolutely terrible how people treat the Whittakers!! I don’t understand how some people can be so cruel. Thank you for the kind comments! - Melody
Who would terrorize them? Did that happen before they "rose to fame"? I really hope the harassment hasn't gotten worse. I hear the neighbors look out for them-kudos to the neighbor's for looking out for these gentle souls.
@@bluejay9890 my cousin just told me last week that someone was in the local store asking about where the live. I've known them since I was a child and I'm 44 now, and they've always been harassed. They're not famous at all, they're just the same people I've always known and now they're just getting more harassment since the first RUclips video came out yrs ago. The police would go down there drinking with teenage girls and harass them just to show off. It's always been a problem since before I was even born and the only thing that has changed is that more people want to aggravate them.
@@melissacole1821 That's so awful! I'll never understand why anyone would want to harass these folks. All this family wants to do is survive as best they can. I don't understand what makes someone take pleasure in making life even harder for people who already have it so hard. There's a special place in hell for those people who are harassing them.
Thanks for sharing. I learned something new as I have never heard of Odd WV and have been in and around Beckley several times.
I went to Odd Elementary. We had to walk up and down that hill. The bus stop was at the main road. 2nd and 3rd grade and 5th and 6th grade were in the same rooms. I acquired the homemade roll recipe from the retired cook several years later after it closed, also the spaghetti recipe. Thats when they actually cooked. Thanks for the video.
WOW! You probably had an interesting road to reach Odd. I haven't been to Odd, but many, many times to Beckley and surrounding areas. Hope you find some time to visit the Beckley Mine Exhibit. A wonderful video as usual by two sweet, adorable people!!
Thank you, Judy! It was an “Odd Road”, haha, that’s actually what it was called! It was very narrow and curvy but thankfully not too far from the interstate. - Melody
Thanks for showing this. It is a lovely drive. Two more awesome places are the home of Alfred Beckley and the Whipple Company store. Lots of cool history.
You guys have class, enjoy your videos.
All you need is a little car trouble and all of a sudden you’re in a movie called wrong turn
Enjoyed this ! Very beautiful drive through odd! Raleigh county is very beautiful! The mansion on the hill is beautiful! The road the Whittakers live on is very beautiful! Thanks guys ! Stay safe always and God bless you always....🙏❤
Thank you both for another very enjoyable video. Odd was a bit east of my trip through West Virginia last week If i go again I would like to drive through. I started my drive in Hinkley, and drove north for 6 days, at one point taking the coal mine tour in Beckley as I saw in one of your videos. I had a great time just driving, stopping off and enjoying the beauty of West Virginia, and would like to thank both of you for many inspiring videos.
Thank you!!
I still hope that you will check out Lewisburg, WV. It is a grand historic place in WV.
Thank y'all for this!! I was one of the "wonderers" lol. ~from Charlotte, NC
I remember going to a small school about twice the size of that one. Kinda think we Need to get back to Small Schools instead of the huge schools our children go to now. Hat's off to the teachers with what they deal with. Thanks for showing us around Odd.
hello, Real Appalachia. thanks for brining us along. I am from across the world and find your videos very entertaining and enlightening. Also, I agree what you mean about SWU. very exploitative. I hardly ever get out so these drive-alongs are truly fun.
Thanks for riding along with us, that’s great to hear
Beautiful place thank you Melody and Shane. I respect that you don't invade anyone's privacy.
Love you both. You should do one on Holden, WV (near Logan) as I am sure you know...
Beautiful country. Let me join all the other folks who have thanked you for the respect you've shown to the Whittakers. Another viewer used the word "class," and that definitely fits. It's amazing that the huge newer home you came upon was relatively close to the Whittaker place, but I think that's one of the things that makes these areas and your videos so remarkable. This is a part of the country that's full of complexity and depth that you need to take time to get familiar with. You both offer the sensitivity and sense of understanding that makes you just right for the job of presenting Real Appalachia to people who love the area.
Sorry for going off topic, but I'm so sorry to see the devastation that has hit Kentucky with these floods. It looks like places we're so familiar with, like Breathit and Harlan Counties and others have been hit very hard. I'm hoping that a lot of prayers and material support can be focused on the tremendous needs that people in those areas are trying to cope with now. I have a feeling these are not folks who are going to be asking for a lot of help. Even though they need it. 😞
Thank you so much for the kind words! We tried to do exactly that so we appreciate it!
And yes, we are so heartbroken about KY. We have heard of and seen so many pictures of the devastation. We are praying and donating and encourage all who can and will to do the same! - Melody
More importantly, I hope and pray for all the followers of this channel who are being adversely effected by the flooding as well as all others that they are safe and well.
I work for a church group driving back from florida to toronto was helping out with the damage from hurricane Ian in fort myers, decided to call the Whittakers and ask if they would like any help with groceries , betty is such a nice lady . My family and i went by today to drop off the grocries they all came outside gave us a hug
They truly are wonderful loving kind people ❤
Hey guys love the video I've been going to some of the places you guys have been I've been enjoying myself just wanted to thank you for getting me out of the house my husband passed away 5 years ago and I just retired this year so I thought maybe traveling around and seeing some stuff would get me out of the house and get me a relaxing and it has so thanks a lot y'all have a good time
Sending blessing and love from cumberland yall 🙏❤️ enjoyed the video as always
Blueberry Hill is close to Winterplace. They have the best fresh blueberries.
We saw that! Awesome to know! Thank you!! - Melody
Not this year. For some reason BB hill is shut down in 2023.
Thanks for the video. I had to see more of this place after seeing the soft white underbelly video because you really can't make that up. A very strange family from a place named Odd. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
WV is my former homestate. And there is a tiny community there called BLUE
This is a visit down home for me. I'm sure my cousin is impressed that you referred to his home as a mansion. Odd is flourishing these days.
That is a gorgeous home, would be a dream come true for me
You for sure are in the boonies in Odd WV, lol. I think I have heard of Odd WV. But I have never been there. What towns are near this place? Cool video thanks for sharing thumbs up. Stay well & safe guys. God bless you.
Thank you! It was very close to Ghent and Winterplace Ski Resort and about 30 mins I guess from Sophia! God bless you! - Melody
Every video ya'll do is awesome. Born and raised and West Virginia proud. Graduate of MU in Huntington WVa in 1994 and grew up in the Shenandoah Valley near Martinsburg. If y'all ever get up near Arden WVa. Let me know. Head out to Lewis Brothers Orchard and get ya some fresh peaches. That's my kin folk. Tell em Mark sent ya! God Bless ya both and keep up the good work🙂
Love your video, Thank you
Great you two make a good team and it's interesting to ponder how these people live
Beautiful area..thank you guys for the ride along and most certainly for the respect!! If I'm not mistaken that road..or 1 very near it..comes out at the top of Arista mtn on the Wyoming Co. Line from 1 your other videos
Driving past The Whittaker house, very cool 😎
I really enjoyed this video. I grew up off #29 in Virginia and the furthest I’ve ever been in WV is Charlestown so this was super fun.
Good on y’all. Thanks for the video ☮️
Thanks for the video. My son just bought land off Odd Rd in Odd. Once we build I'll be living there.
Lovely video, showed me exactly whati wanted to see. Things that Google cant.
Pro tip btw(if you can), make the uturn turning backwards. It let's the owners know you're turning around and not a threat. Also protects you better from bullets lol
good call lol
@@realappalachia got family in the boondocks in WV and VA so I'm use to a sketchy uturn lol
You found the Whitakers!
was just in thurmond and they hade A tornado that hit near by the town made A path in the woods
A beautiful country community only 2hrs 26mins from where I live in parkersburg wv, wooooooooooooo
WOW! Hello Dan! I am from Charleston, but live in Kentucky at the present time.
Howdy there! I am the one who lives in this old schoolhouse with my family now! That was my little boy you mentioned seeing in your video. 🥰
Oh how awesome!! We just loved seeing the old schoolhouse and love what you did with it! - Melody
It's a great work in progress and many of the people who live here in town went there as a kid. We plan to leave the sign on the school and put up an info flyer box for tourists who come by to see the school. It is one of only two standing wooden schoolhouses in the state. We don't have any personal ties to the school or the town, we just loved the idea of living in a school and renovating it into a home. We will preserve the schoolhouse history for the town.
That is so awesome and such an honorable thing! As you can tell, we’re all about preserving history, so we applaud you and your family!! It looks so great and we’ll be excited to visit in the future and see the progress! - Melody
Beautiful country obviously, but the thing thing that stands out is there.
Gorgeous place though, and do not let anything else take away from that and it’s good folks.
You need to venture across the Ohio River in southen Ohio. the lower qtr of the state is very similar to Wva, Va, Tn and so on. Wed be glad to give you some direction. Weve got amish country over here too.
I live in Cincinnati and I can verify this statement. The Amish folks are all over if you drive on 32 and head east.
@@sinceunati @RealAppalachia the further east you come the more Amish youll see.
Don't know what it's called now. But it was called Ood like old growing up from Hawk's Nest to Clay County West Virginia. My parents both were born in West Virginia and I have been there many times. Oh it has changed! Now I am in North East Tennessee near Bristol. Love the mountains.
It seems like this brother and sister duo don't care
How far is the nearest store you could go to get bread or milk if you ran out of it?
About 5 miles away was the interstate and some convenient stores! But it is a rough 5 miles. Maybe not so much for those used to it though! - Melody
I know you said driving through the hollers their is eyes on you always is it safe to drive through them? I like exploring county roads and stuff but should I not explore them?
It honestly depends on where you’re at. 9 times out of 10 you’d be fine. The key is how you approach it, if you wave first at people and prove to be open and no threat then you’re usually fine. The deeper in you go, the more dangerous it gets I would say because people are less and less used to seeing strangers
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Odd, WV.
There’s always something interesting to see and learn when we view the channel. 💝🙏🏾
Thank you so much! - Melody
Hello from Brisbane Australia ~ I love the scenery everything is so pretty. I’ve been following the story of the Whittakers they all seem friendly thank you for your respect towards them
Glad you enjoyed the video, Nicole
Laita did exploit the Whittakers, just because he gave money and did fund raising for them does not take away from the sensationalist reporting and exploitation . He could have reported with still keeping the family’s dignity intact. He did not need to focus on the nature of the disabilities and why they are that way. Laita chose this approach. It was disgusting that he justifies it by saying he wants to show the poor people of the region.
Totally agree 100% not to mention not editing out parts like the one using the bathroom out in the yard, etc. Exploitation 101
This was really Odd 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪thank y’all for sharing another awesome video you guys Rock.
Thanks, Mike!
You totally need to visit Bemis WV .
Make sure you stop at Calvin Shipllet's place , you can't miss it .
Danny (Ray) will usually wave at you if he is outside when you drive by.
It really does look beautiful there and I agree with respecting others.
I had a white goat called Otis but a lot of friends called him Odie O. (kinda like Odd)
He was so well known, some people even declared him the Mayor of Toms Brook! (Va)😊
Hi Melody&Shane, At 10:50 on the right there is the Whitticker home. This is where that sorry "donkey" gained his recognition. Such a pretty area in the county of Raleigh, Im like you all, I want that schoolhouse to live in lol. Very well made video! God Bless you both! (Glen). WV.
And yet they are so kind as to not even mention that. That is what happens when channel actually has some integrity and respect they do not even seek them out as some other clown car that drove that just "happened" to run across them.😀
@@chubbawubba6959 I’m 2 years late but they definitely mentioned it at 9:11 when they passed it the first time. 😂 they knew what they were doing, like everyone else.
A beautiful area, everything is so green. Where i am its all burnt brown. I have wondered how it got the name. And I am aware of the Whittaker family , it's great that the neighbours watch over them .
Odd is very beautiful.any nice homes and landscaping. One of the nicest small towns you've drove through.
I grew up in Pikeville KY. My father bought and remodeled the old school house he went to school in and I grew up in it.
That sounds like a fun home
There is also Surveyor wv
When you gonna do a video on keyser wv we have afew famous people John Kruk an Ed Kelly I'm askin for a friend lol love your videos great job
Not exactly sure when this was filmed....any idea if this area was affected by the floods....I worry about all the people who had to weather the storms and flooding. TY
So, when you guys pulled off the road, a red nissan frontier passed. That was the Whittakers. Unless there are two of the same exact truck in Odd. Highly doubtful.
I have an odd story about Odd. If you keep driving on that road, you'll come to a railroad crossing. But there haven't been any trains for a very long time-long enough for there to be small trees growing between the rails. Maybe 2 or three inches in diameter.
But there is a railroad signal, low to the ground, that still has a red light burning. Trees don't grow that much overnight. Looking at the tracks, it's obvious that there haven't been any trains running on them for a very long time,
So why is that light still burning? Who's paying the electric bill, and why?
That does sound super strange
Hey guys hope you all are doing well
Melody you state that your family is from Grayson county Virginia. My wife who passed a little over three years ago was from Grayson county also. Her family is from the Rugby community. Just wondering what part of the area your family was from. Was hoping you guys would have shown up at heritage day in Rural Retreat yesterday!!
That’s awesome! I love Grayson county and feel such a connection there. My family was from the Troutdale/Razor Ridge area. I believe we missed hearing about that one but I would love to see it so hopefully next year! Thanks! - Melody
@@realappalachia thank you for answering my question bout sweet Grayson county! Heritage day at rural retreat is the last Saturday in July. I will remind you next year lol
@@doublerrider9584 please do!
Can anyone direct us to an town called even
Beautiful country. You are very respectful. Thank you!
Thank you too
Thank you so much for your video. I on the odd post office I live behind it and I love Mr. Gary Barton he’s my pastor
That’s awesome! Thank you for the kind comment! - Melody
No people around that truly odd...
Hey guys what a great video I love the story of finding a name! I worked with a guy from eastern KY his name was Ora his mom and dad said we came name him Mike or’a James or’a Steve hey! The one said to the other let’s name him Ora!!!!! Love the videos
I so glad you both aren’t in the floods
Damn if it doesn’t look EXACTLY the same, down to the plastic coat hanger on the front porch. Was that Ray walking down the road carrying a cooler?
I think that Odd elementary closed and combined with Ghent elementary.
I was dying to see the area, thx for saving me a 5 hour and 39 minute drive
Let's be honest you keep bringing up the Whittakers for views so please stop acting so much better than any and everyone else that part is a little annoying 😥 be honest did you go back to the Whittaker place after you stopped filming cause I notice you stopped filming around there house and was all of a sudden "done with the video" 😆 (that was slick btw) but over all its a beautiful town with beautiful ppl and I'm going to end on that note 😉
Is there any place to eat out or a gas station ⛽️.
Not in Odd, but just a few miles away is the interstate and gas stations. It’s a rough few miles, though! Haha - Melody
You drove past the Whittaker house ? Wow. I'd be a little scared to do that because their neighbors are apparently very protective and regularly turn outsiders away.
I think that’s a little bit of hype someone uses to protect his cash cow, the people in Odd were all great to us.
@@realappalachia I understand. May be done with that intention or with the intent to prevent touristy type crowding. Either way, it's a very heart warming video and I ended up watching a few of your other videos on the hollers (I believe it's local slang for "hollow" meaning a valley) of WV. You've been very respectful of people's privacy in your videos. It helps to know these places that most people would never get a chance to visit, and yet, I can watch it from the couch of my living room in new york. I love these new experiences. Travel on ✌️thank you
@@nomad4k very true, could certainly be an element of making people think twice before just barging in without invitation. Thank you.
When will you do another cooking with melody my wife made the cobbler it was very good
That’s great to know! Maybe we can stir something else up soon! - Melody
10:46
I think it was Jason
Thank you for being respectful to the Whittakers and the other folks of Odd.
Hello my dear friend beautiful view see you soon
Rewatching, I never realized that you can see what looks to be Ray and hear the oldest sibling say something to yall when you drove by. Might have been car noice but sounded like her. Pretty cool
Yes, they talked a little but we edited it take that part out as much as possible because it didn’t really fit in
@@realappalachia wish it was unedited but I understand the respect aspect
One of the oddly named towns in West Virginia is War,if they changed it's name to Love,it would make national headlines putting the town on the map!!
That’s a great idea for publicity lol
that's the house.......anyway love your channel and I live in Asia. I love Apallachia.
Thank you so much
What a Odd Video, Awesome of Coarse! But alittle Odd! In a Nice way :-)
I went there 3rd grade liked it very much
Living in NJ I love this area of Virginia and West Virginia. I really enjoy your videos. I always "follow" your trips by going on Google maps and using the street view. It's like riding along with you. Thanks for the trips
That’s great! Thank you so much for your support! - Melody
whats the chances that you tend to visit places which are currenty popular🙄
I wonder how much more traffic this road has gotten since marks exposure
great question