I grew up in Lamesa, graduated high school in 1988. Great place to grow up. The big mural is “The Wall” and one day every year the Seniors get to paint it. I’ve seen many movies at the Sky-Vue and it was so sad when the snack bar burned down. It was a running drive-in until then, and you could go in a separate driveway to get your chihuahuas even without the movie. Good memories!!
The snack bar burning down is what shut down the drive in? Get the locals together and rebuild it! I'm in Fort Worth but ill come help, we could get Joe and Nic to be the celebrity ribbon cutters for the grand reopening.
I can't live without Joe's videos, and his wonderful voice and way of narration. It's now a tradition. I spend my Saturday and Sunday evenings watching his videos. I hope his car holds out.
Joe, the Everyman quality of your story telling and narration is what makes your videos so enjoyable. Thank you for continuing your journey. I look forward to the coming years content.
Was born in Lamesa, and while we left when I was young, I still have alot of family there. There is a state hospital in Big Spring that specializes in psychiatric care (or at least was there last I heard). When my mom was young and growing up in Lamesa, they would use the name Big Spring to mean you were going crazy. "We're taking you to Big Spring", for example meaning your going crazy. If you drive through that area today, you will see the area is covered in either oil fields, windmills, or solar farms. My favorite spot is east of Lamesa were you can see oil pumps intermixed with windmills all next to a huge solar panel farm. There are even cattle mixed in for good measure. All this while most of the area is still surrounded by cotton and peanut farms.
I find it amazing that we see all these abandoned houses in some real disaster but yet the churches all look brand new and kept up. Kind of tells me something about them. Have a great day and safe travels
it seems like Americana is dying. Thank you for making a log of what's left of it. These videos will be rewatched by people 40 years from now and later.
They're surprisingly heavy. I tried to pick one up as a younger studlier man. I wanted to press it over my head so my special lady friend could take a picture. Almost gave myself a hernia!
The slabbed area that you took the opening shot of Big Springs at, was the site of my grandmother’s old stone house and small store back when I was a kid (I’m now 71). I remember that overlook well…!!!
I was impressed by the lovely brick streets in the core of Lamesa. I have noticed this in other small Texas towns but, come to think of it, not in other states.
I enjoy these little towns so much that today I went out and explored 2 sort of near me. I could just hear your narrations in my head. The best part…. I saw a few houses with full front yards and could hear you say ‘whooo, that’s a lot of stuff’. 😂
While you are tooling around rural Texas, it would be really interesting if you did a video on the hill country between Abilene and Austin. (Coleman, Cross Plains, Rising Star, Sidney, Comanche, etc. etc.) This area has intrigued me. You and Nic could stay in Brownwood, which is the only decent sized town in the general area.
I realize it would be impossible in many places, but something to consider might be contacting local historians, maybe local newspapers, for information to provide a historical narrative and provide some insight on what economic activities that once fueled these towns. Thanks for the content.
I have just discovered your channel. I am catching up on all your videos. I find them interesting and fascinating.. I live on the other side of the world from you. ( I live in New Zealand) I know the USA is huge with many people living there. There is only 5 million people in my country, spread out over a lot of land .I would love to understand why these towns are dying and why they cannot be brought back to life. You have very many people homeless and without jobs etc. What better place to raise a family than in one of those towns. Start producing your own stuff just like you used to. American could bring those towns back to life. Am I being too simplistic? Thank you for the videos
We have a drug scourge from china, mexico, central america and who know where else. We have a woke generation that thinks after high school they can retire! I wish l could migrate to New Zealand, to be really honest with you.
There was a fire at the Lamesa Skyvue DriveIn concession stand around 8 years ago after which the place wasn't rebuilt. Buddy Holly actually played his first ever gig at the Skyvue.
You ever make it way up north again. You should check out Duluth, MN. And drive up along the North Shore. Come in summer months though better prettier than winter. Love all you videos and getting to see places that aren't visited or long forgotten to most.
On my motorcycle trip from Minneapolis to Big Bend Park in Texas last year I stayed in Big Springs. I usually like to stay in "Classic" motels but riding around downtown and the main drag was a little sketchy even for me. I ended up off the freeway in a motel that was no bargain either but I emerged rested and bedbug free which I guess is all you can hope for.
The thing about dogs roaming loose in these small towns, neighborhoods. In places where there are few, if any municipal laws on the books covering roaming dogs, I think some people just got lazy over the years. And instead of going out and walking their pooches just let their dogs out to roam and poop in other people's yards and property.
As an Air Force Instructor Pilot at Webb AFB there in Big Spring from 1968-1972 your tour brought back a few memories. As the Vietnam war ended the base closed and the runways are storage area for oil rigs and the BOQs are now a correctional facility. The Settles was the "go too" brothel of those days. Ha. A previous poster mentioned the filming of the early scenes of the Midnight Cowboy which was being filmed during my tour there and the film crews hung out at the Settles. I was back touring the base again 25 yrs ago but your video showed some areas of Big Spring that my wife and I never visited. Thanks for the always interesting video.
I was at Webb from 70 to 72. Lots of fun times in that city but I was hoping to see more of the finer areas of the city and not the northside garbage dump of Big Spring. There was just too many interesting parts of the city that was not shown. Anyway, thanks for telling about the filming of The Midnight Cowboy. Adios!
This is fun. Drive in theaters were a part of my childhhod. My Dad always left before the end so we wouldn't get stuck in the exit traffic (hahaha).We never got to see the ends. I love deserted towns btw. I don't think the town sees themselves in a negative light. I think they love it. It seems quiet and peaceful except on Saturday night when the population of 7 moseys over to the liquor store.
Growing up in MA, my parents took us to the drive-in. We would play on the same type playground and one drive-in had a small train to ride. That was fun for a kid! And one of Dad's favorite singers was Buddy Holly so I grew up listening to him. Great video. Thank you. Love Texas too!!
Mid 80’s I worked as farmhand during high school breaks along all these West Texas towns. Early 80’s My Dad worked in Bovina and Hereford slaughterhouses. For College I moved to Bethany Oklahoma but visited during winter breaks. When I graduated my parents moved to Oklahoma near me. I had lots of college friends from Lubbock, Lamesa, Ralls, Slaton with whom we split gas fuel when we went back out there. They were locals but not us, we moved there from South Texas. I specifically remember working around Tahoka,Lamesa,Knott,Ralls,Big Spring, Midland and Odessa and the hangouts for High School age kids for the weekends, also large local TV Network stations advertised summer festivals and events for that whole area. Your videos bring back great memories!
A great video, so interesting and relaxing. I love the old drive-in theatre ! There aren't many left in Australia now, very sad ! The Settles Hotel has been beautifully renovated, and still has that old-world charm ! Wonderful old towns ! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, enjoyable as always !😊💖
Thanks for posting. This is the area of Texas in which I grew up; the town I grew up in most of my life on my grandparents' farm was located in Tahoka, Texas which is North of these towns. I have not been back for over 35 years now. Brought back a lot of good memories. 🙂
Dear Joe and Nic I've watched and enjoyed so many of your videos I too grew up on Westerns and the Buffalo Bill annuals handed down by my aunts. I especially enjoy the videos in Texas. I realize that Texas is one place in the USA that I never visited but have always wanted to . I'm from UK and have spent the last year recovering from major surgeries and have against my will had to retire from work. I love your videos they are so peaceful and relaxing helped no doubt by your cool and calm narration which is also very informative. Also I love your observations on cats, dogs and horses on your travels. I have to try some of this Texas food one day I always look forward to your restaurant visits. Keep up the good work and stay safe both of you. 😊
The secret to Chicken Fried Steak is the gravy. Believe me I have loved Chicken fried steaks since the Army sent me to Texas in 1967 and my first one in Geaorgetown, Texas at the L&M Cafe which I don't think is there now. I have no way of knowing as it has been 26 years since I lived in Round Rock close to Georgetown. Like I said the gravy makes the difference as I have had so called chicken fried steaks/Country steak here in the north and the gravy is not the same. The only time I get real Chicken Fried Steak now is when my daughter visits fron Houston. She brings the spices with her on the plane.
Big Spring is an old Texas & Pacific railroad town with the foot print of the old roundhouse and turntable pit clearly visible on Google maps. Another great tour, thanks much!
I live in Big Spring and am very disappointed that you didn’t show the many beautiful homes and areas of our town. The neglected area of town was what you showed. 😢 I’m not saying don’t show the bad but show a balance of both. Thanks for listening.
I was thinking the same thing. I grew up in Lamesa and spent A LOT of time in Big Spring and was so disappointed with what all he DIDN’T show! Go down Gregg St. for goodness sakes! Mention how Interstate 20 runs right through it. Comanche trails park. The Big Spring Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Are those giant long horns still in that other museum?!
This sure brought back memories. Drive in Theater, hamburger joints, tumbleweeds. Growing up in Amarillo, saw a lot of that. Leo's Grandburger was the best! Looked just like the one you showed. These towns did look like the old western days. Loved it 💕
Nearby in Dromana, Victoria Australia we have a drive-in movie theatre which is opened on weekends and in the school holidays is open every day. Melbourne Australia
Very historical and.very interesting towns you shown us. thank you very much for this great efforts.i am very fond of to see this kind of ghost. towns. once again I am very grateful to you for this kind of informative videos. thanks.
We have stayed at that hotel, its beautiful! There are new houses just outside of town. We have friends who live there. There are areas with a VA hospital; restaurants, stores ….
FYI. If you want to try a "Chihuahua" sandwich, you can go to Stars and Stripes Drive In Theatre in Lubbock, TX. The Fried Corn Fritters are awesome, too!
Thanks for this great video. I grew up a little southwest of here in Royalty in the late 50s and early 60s. When i went through in 2022 it was a ghost town, although there were a couple of houses that appeared to be occupied. The house I lived in was nothing but the remains of the floor.
LaMesa was the home town of a long time TV news anchorman In my hometown Milwaukee named Jerry Taff- WISN. LOL! I spent many nights at the 15 Outdoor Theatre back in the early 1970’s. We’d always park way in the back. If I went with my buddies, it was a great place to party without being bothered. If I went with a girlfriend, it was a great place to… well you know the rest
LaMesa also was home a small record label in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s called Bo-Kay. They produced some fine rock, country and western swing 45’s before moving operations to Ft. Worth in the early ‘60’s
When I was a college student at Tech in the 90's the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring paid me and several other students to come down and play their Christmas presentation in early December and put us up in a hotel for a couple of nights for rehearsals. The sanctuary is quite beautiful and was built in 1925.
As a child my family rotated living between Big Spring and Abilene. We never spent any time in downtown or any of the areas you drove around. Close to or right off of Old Highway 80 ( now I-20) was where we lived. It was a thriving area with cool old stores and the city's first 7-11. Lots of businesses. There were fantastic mobile home parks and a mobile home dealership and marine and boat dealership on the highway. My father worked there many times.. lol.. There were also a lot of the nicer homes and residential areas there. I was disappointed you did not show any of that because that's where the city probably still migrates too. Perhaps you would have no doubt seen the nicer homes and thriving businesses. However I'm 62 and it was in the 60's and 70's so maybe not....keep up the good work and hopefully you'll come to Woodson, Texas where I now reside pop. 264 between Breckenridge, TX and Throckmorton, TX
The wife and I were impressed with the spring it looked very nice. Amazing that Los Ybanez started out as a Liquor Store only in Texas could that happen. Enjoyed the video keep them coming.
My family and I would often go to the spring back in the 80s and it was so full and gorgeous. The deck was made of wood and you could sit underneath to fish. You could also trek the parameter of the spring but there was a hidden trail that would lead you to another body of water that you really weren’t suppose to swim in. One time my daddy and I followed it and watch people “cliff dive”. Treasured memory for me.
Another great video Joe & Nic stayed in Big Spring back in the 80s on a stop over, journeying from Dallas to El Paso, do not remember it being that run down in those days, kind regards from the UK
Wow, big surprise to see how destitute Big Spring really is, especially with a town of 26K peeps....I drove through there a few years back and it was bumper to bumper traffic through the downtown area. 😟
wow so cool this is the last week this videoweeek tomry cost my Bday was on the 18 i hope the Doctpr said yall doing on on your checkup also i am so glde yall doing good
I’ve been to that drive in theater while it was still in operation. Never thought I’d ever see downtown lamesa ever again 😂 I remember going to Bible school in that “elementary” when I was just a wee lad.😂
I had a friend in grade school who's dad owned a drive in theater. When he found out that DC was about to go to daylight savings time he sold it. He said who wants to go to the drivein at 9pm at night and stay for a double feature yes that was in the mid 1960's old codger I am. The driveins went downhill from then on.
Actually I think that circular plot of land was a 1930's CCC camp. My dad was in the CCC's near Lamesa. If you look close at the "houses" they resemble barracks. I have a picture of my dad standing out in the open area in front of one of those buildings.
Well Joe, I've come to the party late,,,,,, again. Sorry. When you mentioned "Chicken (Country) Fried Steak", I perked up real fast. I had the best Chicken Fried Steak I've ever had in a little Cafe called, Sam's Cafe in Ceres CA. The owner has her Roots in the Oklahoma/Texas area. Hey, you can also get authentic SOS plates there. If you're ever in the California Central Valley on Hwy 99. Ceres is approximately one hour North of Fresno and one hour south of Sac. Hwy 99 cuts right through the city. Each new restaurant we try, the Chicken Fried Steak is my go to meal and, I Critique it by Sam's offering. Thanks for taking us along with you and Nicole on this wonderful trip .
Great video Joe. I enjoyed your tour of these old Texas towns. Very interesting. Of course, I always like it when you and Nick sample some culinary delights at the end of a video. Looking forward to New Mexico. Safe travels my friend.
Awesome channel, awesome videos....I spent probably two months doing compressor engine testing all around Big Spring, probably around 2012/2013, and lived out of the LaQuinta right off the highway in Big Spring...on the weekends I'd explore, everywhere! Lots of old abandoned (or nearly so) towns from Abilene and Pecos (spent months and months in Pecos, heading up to the Orla area almost everyday). I did exactly what you do, drove around, and took pictures of all the old towns and sites...lots of WWII Airbases dotting the area...Abilene, Big Spring, Kermit, Pecos...all USAAF training bases in WWII....something like 350 days of clear weather a year made it perfect for it. Cool channel! Oh, back in 2013 or so when I was there, that section of Main Street where you showed the train going by, it literally looked like they locked the doors and just left never to come back...I remember a computer store, it looked like a time capsule inside...
Ya, know I've watched all your videos and I love em! And when you say, "It's a damn shame", I could not agree with you more!! We have such a beautiful country and IT IS A DAMN SHAME that historical buildings that SHOULD keep our history BEFORE us are just left to rot and die off....and we forget how GRATEFUL we should be...please keep making these videos...I've been disabled for over 15 years now and it is the only way I'm able to see our great country, the United States of America!!!❤❤❤
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
to do honest i really do like the story telling and all the small towns....great day to everyone reading this
I grew up in Lamesa, graduated high school in 1988. Great place to grow up. The big mural is “The Wall” and one day every year the Seniors get to paint it. I’ve seen many movies at the Sky-Vue and it was so sad when the snack bar burned down. It was a running drive-in until then, and you could go in a separate driveway to get your chihuahuas even without the movie. Good memories!!
Cool! "The Wall" is awesome, I love the idea.
precious memories !
The snack bar burning down is what shut down the drive in? Get the locals together and rebuild it! I'm in Fort Worth but ill come help, we could get Joe and Nic to be the celebrity ribbon cutters for the grand reopening.
I miss the Southern drawl from these parts of Texas 🥰❤
As soon as I saw that wall, I could tell! Fun idea!
I can't live without Joe's videos, and his wonderful voice and way of narration. It's now a tradition. I spend my Saturday and Sunday evenings watching his videos. I hope his car holds out.
Thank you!
Joe, the Everyman quality of your story telling and narration is what makes your videos so enjoyable. Thank you for continuing your journey. I look forward to the coming years content.
Likewise.
When I worked in Lubbock in the 70's in the liquor industry we supplied all the bootleggers in Lamesa.
Was born in Lamesa, and while we left when I was young, I still have alot of family there.
There is a state hospital in Big Spring that specializes in psychiatric care (or at least was there last I heard). When my mom was young and growing up in Lamesa, they would use the name Big Spring to mean you were going crazy. "We're taking you to Big Spring", for example meaning your going crazy.
If you drive through that area today, you will see the area is covered in either oil fields, windmills, or solar farms. My favorite spot is east of Lamesa were you can see oil pumps intermixed with windmills all next to a huge solar panel farm. There are even cattle mixed in for good measure. All this while most of the area is still surrounded by cotton and peanut farms.
I find it amazing that we see all these abandoned houses in some real disaster but yet the churches all look brand new and kept up. Kind of tells me something about them. Have a great day and safe travels
it seems like Americana is dying. Thank you for making a log of what's left of it. These videos will be rewatched by people 40 years from now and later.
Some of those tumble weeds are no joke ! I saw one larger than an SUV one time, scared the heck out of me.
They're surprisingly heavy. I tried to pick one up as a younger studlier man. I wanted to press it over my head so my special lady friend could take a picture. Almost gave myself a hernia!
I got to travel today, without leaving the house. Thank you. Great trip.
Thank you!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip love your videos
Me too
Wow....from Goliad to Los Ybanez! You guys are making good time on the road.
That drive in theater was in operation in 2014 and 15 I know for sure.
The concession stand burned down
The slabbed area that you took the opening shot of Big Springs at, was the site of my grandmother’s old stone house and small store back when I was a kid (I’m now 71). I remember that overlook well…!!!
Tommy Saulter did you know Joe or Gene Whitaker?
76 years and time to enjoy what is left.....blessings to all.
@@lindabutler5892 …No, I was actually born / raised in Nederland Texas…
In the "dead zone" of Los Ybanez all the abandoned homes are duplexes of identical design. Interesting.
It used to be a labor camp for migrant workers. I remember going out there with my pop a few times to get beer.
I was impressed by the lovely brick streets in the core of Lamesa. I have noticed this in other small Texas towns but, come to think of it, not in other states.
Talk about tumbleweed. I hit one on the freeway between Tucson and Phoenix going about 75 MPH. It just exploded. Will never forget that. Lol
Thanks once again for a wonderful and informative video - a real slice of the United States in real time! Great documentation and commentary.
Thanks
Seven Spanish Angels run a liquor store in south Texas . Always wondered about what happened after the song .
Wow I don’t know how I missed this one .. I used to love that Drive-in theater when I was a child.. thank you for the memories.
I'd drink if I had to live in Los Ybanez...
I love your travel videos. I feel like I'm actually riding in the car with you. Your history and facts of these towns are excellent.
Awesome! Thank you! That’s what I’m going for. 😀😀👍
21:44 big spring also had a military base during ww2 where they taught pilots to fly.
I enjoy these little towns so much that today I went out and explored 2 sort of near me. I could just hear your narrations in my head. The best part…. I saw a few houses with full front yards and could hear you say ‘whooo, that’s a lot of stuff’. 😂
While you are tooling around rural Texas, it would be really interesting if you did a video on the hill country between Abilene and Austin. (Coleman, Cross Plains, Rising Star, Sidney, Comanche, etc. etc.) This area has intrigued me. You and Nic could stay in Brownwood, which is the only decent sized town in the general area.
Another great u tube adventure!! Thank you both!!
I realize it would be impossible in many places, but something to consider might be contacting local historians, maybe local newspapers, for information to provide a historical narrative and provide some insight on what economic activities that once fueled these towns. Thanks for the content.
I have just discovered your channel. I am catching up on all your videos. I find them interesting and fascinating.. I live on the other side of the world from you. ( I live in New Zealand) I know the USA is huge with many people living there. There is only 5 million people in my country, spread out over a lot of land .I would love to understand why these towns are dying and why they cannot be brought back to life. You have very many people homeless and without jobs etc. What better place to raise a family than in one of those towns. Start producing your own stuff just like you used to. American could bring those towns back to life. Am I being too simplistic? Thank you for the videos
We have a drug scourge from china, mexico, central america and who know where else. We have a woke generation that thinks after high school they can retire! I wish l could migrate to New Zealand, to be really honest with you.
There was a fire at the Lamesa Skyvue DriveIn concession stand around 8 years ago after which the place wasn't rebuilt. Buddy Holly actually played his first ever gig at the Skyvue.
True Story
You ever make it way up north again. You should check out Duluth, MN. And drive up along the North Shore. Come in summer months though better prettier than winter. Love all you videos and getting to see places that aren't visited or long forgotten to most.
We have scouted out Duluth, and will most likely visit there this summer. Beautiful city. Loved driving down the hills to the St Louis River/Bay.
On my motorcycle trip from Minneapolis to Big Bend Park in Texas last year I stayed in Big Springs. I usually like to stay in "Classic" motels but riding around downtown and the main drag was a little sketchy even for me. I ended up off the freeway in a motel that was no bargain either but I emerged rested and bedbug free which I guess is all you can hope for.
THANKS FOR THE RIDE BROTHER SPODES,... WE'LL DO IT AGAIN SOON 😃👍❤
The thing about dogs roaming loose in these small
towns, neighborhoods. In places where there are few, if any
municipal laws on the books covering roaming dogs, I think
some people just got lazy over the years. And instead of going out
and walking their pooches just let their dogs out to roam and poop
in other people's yards and property.
As an Air Force Instructor Pilot at Webb AFB there in Big Spring from 1968-1972 your tour brought back a few memories. As the Vietnam war ended the base closed and the runways are storage area for oil rigs and the BOQs are now a correctional facility. The Settles was the "go too" brothel of those days. Ha. A previous poster mentioned the filming of the early scenes of the Midnight Cowboy which was being filmed during my tour there and the film crews hung out at the Settles. I was back touring the base again 25 yrs ago but your video showed some areas of Big Spring that my wife and I never visited. Thanks for the always interesting video.
Wow, thank you for the great comment!
I was at Webb from 70 to 72. Lots of fun times in that city but I was hoping to see more of the finer areas of the city and not the northside garbage dump of Big Spring. There was just too many interesting parts of the city that was not shown. Anyway, thanks for telling about the filming of The Midnight Cowboy. Adios!
From one Vet to another,Thank You for your Service a Pilot durin Nam' you had a pretty Spicey time.Thanks Again.
Stark is an understatement.
So glad we got to see the inside of the Settles Hotel. Thanks Joe!
Love these videos. The impression I'm getting from your videos is outside of major cities the more rural areas of Texas are generally rundown.
We love to stay at the Settles. It makes a nice getaway from the mugginess of Austin in the summer.
Congratulations on your 400 k subscriber milestone😊🎉
The best time is ever for our lives 1970’s
Thanks Joey, you always make my day ! + Hi to Nicole. Cheers from Sth Australia.
Thank you, Cherie!
This is fun. Drive in theaters were a part of my childhhod. My Dad always left before the end so we wouldn't get stuck in the exit traffic (hahaha).We never got to see the ends. I love deserted towns btw. I don't think the town sees themselves in a negative light. I think they love it. It seems quiet and peaceful except on Saturday night when the population of 7 moseys over to the liquor store.
Growing up in MA, my parents took us to the drive-in. We would play on the same type playground and one drive-in had a small train to ride. That was fun for a kid! And one of Dad's favorite singers was Buddy Holly so I grew up listening to him. Great video. Thank you. Love Texas too!!
Mid 80’s I worked as farmhand during high school breaks along all these West Texas towns. Early 80’s My Dad worked in Bovina and Hereford slaughterhouses. For College I moved to Bethany Oklahoma but visited during winter breaks. When I graduated my parents moved to Oklahoma near me.
I had lots of college friends from Lubbock, Lamesa, Ralls, Slaton with whom we split gas fuel when we went back out there. They were locals but not us, we moved there from South Texas.
I specifically remember working around Tahoka,Lamesa,Knott,Ralls,Big Spring, Midland and Odessa and the hangouts for High School age kids for the weekends, also large local TV Network stations advertised summer festivals and events for that whole area.
Your videos bring back great memories!
Awesome. 😀👍
A great video, so interesting and relaxing. I love the old drive-in theatre ! There aren't many left in Australia now, very sad ! The Settles Hotel has been beautifully renovated, and still has that old-world charm ! Wonderful old towns ! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, enjoyable as always !😊💖
Thank you, CL!!
Wow, abandoned towns….. thank you! Nice restored hotel! 44:47
Many Thanks Joe, for another informative and touching video...Keep up the good work.. Enjoy your videos very much....Stay Happy and Safe..!!
Thanks for posting. This is the area of Texas in which I grew up; the town I grew up in most of my life on my grandparents' farm was located in Tahoka, Texas which is North of these towns. I have not been back for over 35 years now. Brought back a lot of good memories. 🙂
Dear Joe and Nic I've watched and enjoyed so many of your videos I too grew up on Westerns and the Buffalo Bill annuals handed down by my aunts. I especially enjoy the videos in Texas. I realize that Texas is one place in the USA that I never visited but have always wanted to . I'm from UK and have spent the last year recovering from major surgeries and have against my will had to retire from work. I love your videos they are so peaceful and relaxing helped no doubt by your cool and calm narration which is also very informative. Also I love your observations on cats, dogs and horses on your travels. I have to try some of this Texas food one day I always look forward to your restaurant visits. Keep up the good work and stay safe both of you. 😊
My sincere admiration to you, I´ve never heard before an american who could pronunciate words like Ybanez correctly!!!😀😀😀
The secret to Chicken Fried Steak is the gravy. Believe me I have loved Chicken fried steaks since the Army sent me to Texas in 1967 and my first one in Geaorgetown, Texas at the L&M Cafe which I don't think is there now. I have no way of knowing as it has been 26 years since I lived in Round Rock close to Georgetown.
Like I said the gravy makes the difference as I have had so called chicken fried steaks/Country steak here in the north and the gravy is not the same. The only time I get real Chicken Fried Steak now is when my daughter visits fron Houston. She brings the spices with her on the plane.
Big Spring is an old Texas & Pacific railroad town with the foot print of the old roundhouse and turntable pit clearly visible on Google maps. Another great tour, thanks much!
Ok at the end u god a redhead to eat with at a big nice place so enjoy the chicken fryed steak with ur date great show again
Thank you!
Agreed brother! Just a tough old Round Steak like Mom used to make into chicken fried steak! Great job and most cool! 😎
Right! 👍
Wow and what a great place to dine for Chicken Fried steak.. Salmon is good and Nicole looks wonderful as well.. Have a great time you two...
That drive-in theatre was awesome. I went to one in Ennis, Texas a few years ago.
They have the Lone Star Drive INn in New Braunfels.Havent been their yet.
I live in Big Spring and am very disappointed that you didn’t show the many beautiful homes and areas of our town. The neglected area of town was what you showed. 😢 I’m not saying don’t show the bad but show a balance of both. Thanks for listening.
I was thinking the same thing. I grew up in Lamesa and spent A LOT of time in Big Spring and was so disappointed with what all he DIDN’T show! Go down Gregg St. for goodness sakes! Mention how Interstate 20 runs right through it. Comanche trails park. The Big Spring Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Are those giant long horns still in that other museum?!
This sure brought back memories. Drive in Theater, hamburger joints, tumbleweeds. Growing up in Amarillo, saw a lot of that. Leo's Grandburger was the best! Looked just like the one you showed. These towns did look like the old western days. Loved it 💕
I am addicted to these videos . Great information and visuals
Awesome, thank you!
I'm from lamesa i used to in los ybanz that used to be a army camp and they used to call that place labor camp
Nearby in Dromana, Victoria Australia we have a drive-in movie theatre which is opened on weekends and in the school holidays is open every day. Melbourne Australia
Very historical and.very interesting towns you shown us. thank you very much for this great efforts.i am very fond of to see this kind of ghost. towns. once again I am very grateful to you for this kind of informative videos. thanks.
Wow! That meal sure looked scrumptious! A hell of a lot more appetizing than whatever y'all had in Waco! And for less than half!!
We have stayed at that hotel, its beautiful! There are new houses just outside of town. We have friends who live there. There are areas with a VA hospital; restaurants, stores ….
My first girlfriend Drive in theater. They were becoming rare when I went. Was tore down 3 years later.
Love you Joe and Nicole - thank u - for showing us AMERICA.
FYI. If you want to try a "Chihuahua" sandwich, you can go to Stars and Stripes Drive In Theatre in Lubbock, TX. The Fried Corn Fritters are awesome, too!
Thanks for this great video. I grew up a little southwest of here in Royalty in the late 50s and early 60s. When i went through in 2022 it was a ghost town, although there were a couple of houses that appeared to be occupied. The house I lived in was nothing but the remains of the floor.
Great video guys.I live in Witney Texas in Hill county.I was born here and proud to be a Texan.
LaMesa was the home town of a long time TV news anchorman In my hometown Milwaukee named Jerry Taff- WISN.
LOL! I spent many nights at the 15 Outdoor Theatre back in the early 1970’s. We’d always park way in the back. If I went with my buddies, it was a great place to party without being bothered. If I went with a girlfriend, it was a great place to… well you know the rest
LaMesa also was home a small record label in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s called Bo-Kay. They produced some fine rock, country and western swing 45’s before moving operations to Ft. Worth in the early ‘60’s
When I was a college student at Tech in the 90's the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring paid me and several other students to come down and play their Christmas presentation in early December and put us up in a hotel for a couple of nights for rehearsals. The sanctuary is quite beautiful and was built in 1925.
Just a correction about the county that Big Spring is in is Howard County. Lamesa is Dawson County. Love your content.
Yeah, I goofed that. I will edit it out. :(
😂 at the 17 min mark. "That's all I'm gonna say about that."
As always, Thumbs up!👍
As a child my family rotated living between Big Spring and Abilene. We never spent any time in downtown or any of the areas you drove around. Close to or right off of Old Highway 80 ( now I-20) was where we lived. It was a thriving area with cool old stores and the city's first 7-11. Lots of businesses. There were fantastic mobile home parks and a mobile home dealership and marine and boat dealership on the highway. My father worked there many times.. lol.. There were also a lot of the nicer homes and residential areas there. I was disappointed you did not show any of that because that's where the city probably still migrates too. Perhaps you would have no doubt seen the nicer homes and thriving businesses. However I'm 62 and it was in the 60's and 70's so maybe not....keep up the good work and hopefully you'll come to Woodson, Texas where I now reside pop. 264 between Breckenridge, TX and Throckmorton, TX
The wife and I were impressed with the spring it looked very nice. Amazing that Los Ybanez started out as a Liquor Store only in Texas could that happen. Enjoyed the video keep them coming.
My family and I would often go to the spring back in the 80s and it was so full and gorgeous. The deck was made of wood and you could sit underneath to fish. You could also trek the parameter of the spring but there was a hidden trail that would lead you to another body of water that you really weren’t suppose to swim in. One time my daddy and I followed it and watch people “cliff dive”. Treasured memory for me.
Wow some of the towns were so depressing to see, Sad . and its so Flat around that area, Thanks for another great video
My mother married a little before her 15th birthday, to my father, 17, I think mostly to escape a small town life in Texas in the 40s, LOL.
Another great video Joe & Nic stayed in Big Spring back in the 80s on a stop over, journeying from Dallas to El Paso, do not remember it being that run down in those days, kind regards from the UK
Well what can I say? Super as always))) Thanks for the video!
Wow, big surprise to see how destitute Big Spring really is, especially with a town of 26K peeps....I drove through there a few years back and it was bumper to bumper traffic through the downtown area. 😟
You should visit Notrees Tx. It is very small and the man I worked with liked buying one house to own all of it. It does have a mailbox for mail.
wow so cool this is the last week this videoweeek tomry cost my Bday was on the 18 i hope the Doctpr said yall doing on on your checkup also i am so glde yall doing good
Thank you!!
I’ve been to that drive in theater while it was still in operation. Never thought I’d ever see downtown lamesa ever again 😂
I remember going to Bible school in that “elementary” when I was just a wee lad.😂
I had a friend in grade school who's dad owned a drive in theater. When he found out that DC was about to go to daylight savings time he sold it. He said who wants to go to the drivein at 9pm at night and stay for a double feature yes that was in the mid 1960's old codger I am. The driveins went downhill from then on.
Jie its very appreciated your way if narration with out any hurry. Well paused
I always looking to find your videos
Thank you
Thanks for the videos. Might be mistaken, but the second Courthouse was identified as Dawson County, but I think it is Howard County.
I would love to ride up on my Harley and have one of those seven ladies have a ride! Lol Cool place really and beautiful buildings.
I find the Skyview drive in fascinating!!! I would love to roam around!!
I enjoyed your facts and information... sad to see the closures, but a good job is important to have .a good life...
Thank you for the trip...
Actually been to Lamesa back in 2017 - we were coming back after 2 weeks in NM and needed gas. Found a "gas station" with the tank above ground.
Actually I think that circular plot of land was a 1930's CCC camp. My dad was in the CCC's near Lamesa. If you look close at the "houses" they resemble barracks. I have a picture of my dad standing out in the open area in front of one of those buildings.
That makes sense.
Well Joe, I've come to the party late,,,,,, again. Sorry.
When you mentioned "Chicken (Country) Fried Steak", I perked up real fast.
I had the best Chicken Fried Steak I've ever had in a little Cafe called, Sam's Cafe in Ceres CA. The owner has her Roots in the Oklahoma/Texas area. Hey, you can also get authentic SOS plates there.
If you're ever in the California Central Valley on Hwy 99. Ceres is approximately one hour North of Fresno and one hour south of Sac. Hwy 99 cuts right through the city.
Each new restaurant we try, the Chicken Fried Steak is my go to meal and, I Critique it by Sam's offering.
Thanks for taking us along with you and Nicole on this wonderful trip .
I will do that!
I do like those wide avenues with the cobblestone paving.
Just fascinating! I am totally addicted to what you do!! Rhanks
Thanks for mentioning celsius too. Cheers from germany
Our pleasure!
I always wonder how my German ancestors ended up in a desolate area of Texas
Great video Joe. I enjoyed your tour of these old Texas towns. Very interesting. Of course, I always like it when you and Nick sample some culinary delights at the end of a video. Looking forward to New Mexico. Safe travels my friend.
Thank you!
Beautiful hotel at the end but the towns are very dry , that family of 7 surviving on beer very interesting
Awesome channel, awesome videos....I spent probably two months doing compressor engine testing all around Big Spring, probably around 2012/2013, and lived out of the LaQuinta right off the highway in Big Spring...on the weekends I'd explore, everywhere! Lots of old abandoned (or nearly so) towns from Abilene and Pecos (spent months and months in Pecos, heading up to the Orla area almost everyday). I did exactly what you do, drove around, and took pictures of all the old towns and sites...lots of WWII Airbases dotting the area...Abilene, Big Spring, Kermit, Pecos...all USAAF training bases in WWII....something like 350 days of clear weather a year made it perfect for it. Cool channel! Oh, back in 2013 or so when I was there, that section of Main Street where you showed the train going by, it literally looked like they locked the doors and just left never to come back...I remember a computer store, it looked like a time capsule inside...
This is probably one of your best videos
Thank you!
Free bibles in the liquor store! Great videos and great story telling.
Thank you!
so stark..
so interesting....
keep going on
love these insights into the heart of America.
Ya, know I've watched all your videos and I love em! And when you say, "It's a damn shame", I could not agree with you more!! We have such a beautiful country and IT IS A DAMN SHAME that historical buildings that SHOULD keep our history BEFORE us are just left to rot and die off....and we forget how GRATEFUL we should be...please keep making these videos...I've been disabled for over 15 years now and it is the only way I'm able to see our great country, the United States of America!!!❤❤❤
Congrats on 400k subscribers 🎉. Way to go Joe and Nic !
Thank you!