Being from Oklahoma, it's always nice to see someone like this young man, take an interest in an interesting state. One commenter said "Truly the wild west!" That is correct. Oklahoma, being one of the last territories to fully open to settlement, was a melting pot of all kinds from the settlers to the outlaws, and even Chicago-style gangsters! The famous Western writer, Louis L' Amour and a friend of his were driving through the state about 1915 and stopped for gas in a small town. As they were filling up, they heard guns blazing on Main Street, ran up about a block to a drugstore, and discovered that a local rancher and a policeman had shot it out over a "personal matter". Both men emptied their guns into the other from about 20 feet and both men died at the scene! We had the likes of the Dalton outlaw gang, Bell Star and Blue Duck from Old West lore and Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Bonnie and Clyde from the gangster era, all just a decade or so, apart. Oklahoma was a truly wild place for sure and the last bastion of the Old West.
My grandmother went to school with Pretty Boy Floyd. She used to tell me stories about him, but I did not pay much attention because I really didn't know who Floyd was. I wish I would have now that I am an old man. Everyone lived in poverty back then, but she said his family was especially poor sharecroppers. It was a tough time back then. I'm surprised we didn't have more Pretty Boy Floyd's running around.
It can be violently cold and windy there. It an also be still and quiet enough that your ears may ring. No jet sounds and no car sounds. No light pollution.
No mans land beef jerky is awesome. Ive made thar hike 4 times over the years. Last time I was definitely out of shape. Next time Ill be good because Ive been working out 4 times a day. I love that corner of my state. Its beautiful
My grandparents owned a general store in Wheeles, OK in the 30’s (not sure of the exact dates). Legend has it (family story) that “Baby Face” Nelson and crew stopped for gas one night and my grandmother held them at gunpoint with a shotgun as my granddad pumped the gas. They later moved to settle a Ranch West Northwest of Clayton, New Mexico, where my dad was born.
This area of the country is spectacular. Further north from there is the Comanche National Grasslands with the amazing Carrizo Canyon. I took a whole week exploring the western Panhandle of Oklahoma, NE New Mexico, and SE Colorado. Basically, the canyons you could see from edge of the Black Mesa that you showed in this video. Saw herds of big horn sheep, coyotes, prairie dogs, and vast array of bird species along with reptiles of all sorts. The canyons and rock formations were mesmerizing. But be sure to go with a full tank of gas, a high clearance vehicle since it's mostly dirt roads, plenty of water and food because there are no towns to speak of in this vast region. Just unspoiled wilderness. There were a couple of days I saw no one nor any other vehicles. And download a map before you head into this part of the country, there is no cell phone reception for a few hundred square miles. If you are an adventurous hiker, you can hike through this area since much of it is public land. There are few trails, but most of the hiking is "pick your own adventure". I ran across petroglyphs, and centuries old ruins of Native American dwellings. I am planning on going back in September to explore it some more. And if you camp out in this part of the country enjoy the breath-taking night sky since there is no light pollution.
Black Mesa State Park and Lake Carl Etling are worth the long trip and well as hiking to Black Mesa monument. If isolation is your goal you can find plenty of it here. Very soul cleansing.
The old photos you included are precious, did anyone else read the caption to the photo at 7:45? "Lew Bush, the town marshal, who was shot-gunned to death by Madam Pussy Cat Nell, sits next to the standing fiddler" Loooove it! This was so much fun, John, thank you. A very nice rabbit hole you opened for me, I appreciate it. Safe travels, sir.
Really! It's nice to hear a favorable review by a local. Lately I've been hearing a country song with the lyric, 'Ain't no love in Oklahoma, just the whistle of a long black train..." Evocative~
@@jessstone7486 I am a 4th gen Oklahoman and a student of the Old West. My son is a 5th gen okie, and we both love Oklahoma. The state offers diverse climates and landscapes, something for everyone; mountains, lakes, and forests in the east, a north/south tree line that cuts the state in half and begin the Great Plains to the west. Arid grasslands and prairie in the West gradually turn to desert by the time you reach New Mexico. My favorite place is western OK, where the Clovis and Folsom cultures settled around 10,000 BCE. Native Americans have lived here ever since, and their presence can be found everywhere. Western Oklahoma has clean air, millions of acres of open land that makes a person feel at one with the world. The sky is big, and at night you can see what the Milky Way Galaxy really looks like. A great place to live.
@@dr.strangelove7739 Wow, thank you for this! It's the most favorable 'review' of the state I've seen. Have been looking at (possibly) Tulsa but am troubled by things re OK > food is taxed, prop taxes are fairly high (tho not like TX) and my big issue, humidity. I love my boneyard-dry desert! But am will ing to consider other spots....sure seems like there's an exodus out of the state; so many props for sale!!!
That sign for Okla and Colo is really old because (well not so old) I remember when the abbreviations of states went from 4 letters to 2 letters. I'm not going to say how old I was,, just that I remember it changing. Interestingly enough - I JUST watched your video on Boise yesterday. I left a comment. I remember when I first traveled on the "Black Mesa" It was 1990 and my husband's family lived in Raton, NM and he was showing me where his mom & dad lived in Folsom when they first got married (we had just been married). To get there we had to drive up the really curvy and steep roads up the Black Canyon and then down another steep and curvy road to Folsom. And then he showed me this ramshackle small cabin where each room had a different foundation level as each room had been added on by someone who was not a builder. It was interesting to look through as an abandoned building would be. And then he said "We could live here." I don't cuss, but I said "Oh Hell no!" And that was one of our first major arguments. Thankfully I won.
Thanks John, what a fascinating video! Great history, really worth a good listen. I'm not a livestock farmer in the USA and immediately wondered why cattle ranchers flocked to the area, so much so, I would have said there was little to feed cattle (well this time of year at least) and then you go and show us livestock scratching a living! It must cost a fortune in supplementary feed and ensuring enough water. Please remember I'm an English ex farmer used to verdant cultivated ley and pasture through out spring, summer and autumn and used to stocking rates of up to 20 to 40 cattle per acre. I wouldn't entertain livestock in what we have seen. Your ranchers must really be a hardy breed! I can't imagine cropping wheat or any other cereal on land we have seen, although you tell us they did. This kind of video fuels my imagination in all directions, all I can do is tip my hat to the settlers of this district! Once again, thanks John.
@@sarahodell6999 I know that system well, having grown alfalfa in the desert in Saudi Arabia in the 80's to feed dairy cattle kept indoors. I never imagined it in the USA. Thank you.
My husband has family in Felt, OK. They’re farmers in that area. Ever since he was a kid he’s loved going out to visit them (we live in Wichita) to play on the farm and see the panhandle. He really enjoyed this video and is looking forward to part 2!
Grew up in the 'handle - Texhoma and Guymon. I spent some time in Felt with my aunt and uncle, teacher and farmer, in the early 80s. I now live in a big city and sure miss those tiny towns, believe it or not 😉
That's the first time I've seen the fake youtube part included. Just like I thought it would be. I've been through Boise City many times driving truck but always just in passing. Thanks for taking us on the tour.
Really love this video. To show the contrast of Oklahoma landscapes, please do a video of southeastern Oklahoma especially the Talimena area. Keep on traveling!!
Thank you! One of my first ever videos was from down in the SE OK area. It’s not very good but you can check it out if you want. I did the Talimena scenic drive 😊
The spicy is the best! It's NO longer made in Boise City or the Panhandle. It's all made in Enid, OK now in a massive modern plant. The co. was owned by the Smith family out of Keyes, OK. But made in Boise City. My understanding is the Smiths sold out to their partner in Enid and retired.
John, really appreciate you traveling to the Panhandle of Oklahoma. Made my first trip there in August, 1973 and 2 more trips in May & July of 1974. Looking forward to your visit to Kenton! Hope the Old Store is still there and you can get access to it because it used to be stocked full of Indian artifacts (Arrowheads, etc.)on the shelves inside, a Mammoth Tusk, Bison Skulls, old Bottles; a multitude of things to enjoy seeing!! In 1973, there was a ninety year old man still operating the Store! You must go to Lake Carl Etling (Black Mesa State Park)!! There are Rock Formations such as Camel Rock, Daniel Boone, Shepherd’s Rock Cabin under Canyon Ledge, a formation of Petrified Wood, and 3-toed Dinosaur Prints in Creek Bed near the entrance ro ad to the Park, Dinosaur Prints inDry Creek Beds around the area, the Wedding Party and the Old Witch formations east of Kenton on Okla. Hwy 325 going to Boise City. If you search on top of the Mesa you might find Fossil Prints as I did in August of 1973. I found Paw Prints of a Prehistoric Cat imprinted in solid rock on top of the Mesa which had to happen when the rock was still soft! Also, I found a fossil of a Plant or Bone on a rock and I took pictures of both items. In 1974 at Fort Nichols, there were still deep ruts of the Santa Fe Trail in the ground. The Fort is located South of the Lake down dirt roads on Ranch Land. John, l’m going to try to send pictures to your GMAIL but not sure if they will go through since I don’t have your Email address; but will try anyway with the Website Address.
One of my favorite Wise Guy videos to date -- the Oklahoma Panhandle is fascinating and beautiful. It is hard to believe that it was not that long ago that we had Indian Wars in the U.S. .
My relatives homesteaded in Cimarron County southeast of Boise City, Oklahoma. Many of them migrated to Orange County California before WWII. I have explored much of Cimarron County in the past, including No Mans Land.
I can see why it's called No Man's Land. It's really wild and beautiful but has very little to recommend it as a habitat. I'm so glad you got out with the donut tire. Bet it was good to get back on a paved road for awhile. Great video and history lesson. Thanks!
Thank you for your work. I live in Burlington, CO, about 200 miles north of Kenton. My wife and I were on a flight to New Orleans from Denver. I had a window seat and observed the rocks and trees of the Black Mesa and commented several times “where are there mountains southeast of Denver?” After returning home, I consulted several friends that had grown up in SE Colorado and I discovered the Kenton area. My family and I try to make an annual camping trip to the area, including Picture Canyon and the dinosaur tracks south of La Junta. We walked to the Black Mesa summit often.
I've been out there and seen the dinosaur tracks. I don't know if the store is still open in Kenton but they had dinosaur bones in there. It's very interesting out there. I use to live in Guymon back in the 80's. I hauled cattle. I like your channel.
Im from central Oklahoma , the urban areas and my whole life i never gave the panhandle any thought. Now that I'm older im finding i appreciate things that i never did before. This part of Oklahoma looks just as gorgeous as the other parts of Oklahoma i have seen. Trip there is going to the top of my bucket list. Thank you for this video
I’ve climbed Black Mesa many times and it is so beautiful out there Kenton. I recommend exploring Optima Lake near Guymon and the Beaver Dunes State Park in Beaver. Anyway I’m so fascinated with exploring small communities, geography and cartography and love your content. Keep up the good work.
Any chance you ever attended the Easter Pageant services in Kenton? Of course as a kid my favorite part was the pancake breakfast! Some of my fondest memories!
Lived just east of on Coldwater creek.. ( Dry) Guymon 96 to 21. Optima lake was a big joke. One could walk across it and not get wet above the knee. Great dsm though.
As a young boy I spent many summers in OK. My dad was born there in Caddo county specifically Kiowa Township. So, I am hopeful to see you do a video on that area one day. I like your style.
You get a HUGE "E" for effort, Coach! What a neat video! I've traveled into and through the Oklahoma panhandle hundreds of times, and I can honestly say I never took time to stop and smell the roses. (Did you see any roses???) 😂 Thanks once again for taking us along, and I trust you didn't encounter that pesky rattler! 😲😲😲
Thank you Brenda! Didn’t see any roses except whatever that flower was on the sticky bush on the hike! Didn’t see the rattler - kind of disappointed on that actually 😊
Absolutely beautiful country. Definitely worth the trip. Be thankful it was only a tire. Can you imagine losing your water pump or blowing a head gasket out there?
You should have went to fort Scott area it's beautiful there don't the animals are beautiful but don't get out of the vehicle ❤❤❤❤❤❤ when in the wild Life area and then go to medicine park it's beautiful there before leaving the animal park go to the mount Scott and you will be amazed ❤❤
Fantastic video - really liked the aerial shots. I hiked the Black Mesa twice - it is in my top 2 of favorite state highpoint hikes. It was only a few years ago that they did trail work there so kinda surprised how the switchback looked.
my wife is from oklahoma and me being a geography nerd I found out about this area after researching the state. it is a much different oklahoma than the part that she is from! really fascinating place.
John, I really felt for you when you had the flat. Would have loved to hear the conversation between you and the AAA operator if you had called for Roadside Assistance. Early on you mentioned the Tarbox family herding cattle. Their grandson, Elmer Tarbox, is in the Ring of Honor at Texas Tech in Lubbock. He was an All-American half-back and safety in the 1930's and a true hero in World War II. He was shot down flying the "Hump" between Burma and China. I believe that his name is next to some fellow named Patrick that plays for Chiefs.
I used to do wheat research around there and lots of places in Oklahoma its history is pretty wild. My family has some great history in Oklahoma. We have a farm in Ralston and my wife’s family were bankers for the Osage tribe and had a bank in the whisky town Ralston. On my side we got our Native land back from a botched legal paperwork from the Dawes act. Creek tribe my gggggreat grandfather was a sub chief of Okfuskee upper creek town and then took our tribe to land given to us which is now Okfuskee county Oklahoma.
Hello there sir! I love your videos, especially being a history, Route 66 and geography buff. By the way, the shirt where you’re hiking, would you be able to tell me where you acquired it? Love the style and color! Thanks for all your videos and keep them coming!
Thank you very much! I bought it at a little shop in New Mexico on Route 66 actually. Near the continental divide. You can Google search “My life in ruins” and find it online too.
Excellent video. Beautiful scenery. Little cabin would be a great way to end a super 1st part adventure. Setting of sunset is such a peaceful feeling for a good night sleep.
Hello,Wise Guy! My husband and me are enjoying your channel for a long time. Thank you for your wonderful video. 😊 Recently visited No Man’s Land.we are thinking that you are Amazing, because it was so long drive and the hiking was very challenging to No Man’s Land, but it was worth.You are very patient &Kind. Have a blessed day.❤😊
EXCELLENT Vid! My Mothers family homesteaded near Cimarron Ks ca. 1880. I have great memories of Grandads childhood home in the middle of NOTHING. There were still “Buffalo Wallows” visible in a draw that had never been tilled.
You call it No Man's Land and you're right but it's cattle's land. Ha! Beautiful place and such an interesting history. The dog at Hitching Post was adorable and I would've made friends with it as I love dogs. Thank you for the lovely trip. You should've pick a time when it would've been cooler. Guess you should've got a vehicle with tougher tires so you wouldn't have had a flat. Oh well guess that's part of traveling in No Man's Land. About the dinosaur tracks. I would've thought after several thousand years those tracks would've been washed away by rain and covered over by the winds blowing dirt. Happy trails to you and God bless.
Yes the cattle seem to own the place 😂 I made friends with the dog the next day 😊 I agree about the dinosaur tracks, that’s why I was asking the question since I’m not expert.
Your first video that popped up on my phone was 10 smallest towns in Florida, and since I live in Florida, it got my attention and started watching and enjoyed it very much. Been watching your videos and really enjoying them so much. Thank you and stay safe! 🙏💖
Nice video. You are out near the Santa Fe Trail Cimmarron route memorial, I dont know about summer time bc of the grass but in winter you can see the ruts very clearly with a drone!
So close to picture canyon & picketwire canyon and the old Rourke ranch while you were north of Kenton and into SE Colorado. Dinosaur tracks & petroglyphs galore in that area.
What a Great video, Coach! 👍😀 that looks nothing like my part of Oklahoma. So many Great scenes …. My favorite was the sunrise at the cabin (that one could have been much longer, if I may say), and the drive up the wagon track, where you may have got the tire puncture😢😨😃👌(glad you made it back to town to have it fixed). Yeppers, this episode should make your Hall of Fame! 👏🤟😁🎊
I laughed at the ending. Totally can relate, uphill hiking in 90 degree temps at higher elevations with a back pack, lol. I would pop partially filled water bottles in the freezer and put cold water to fill before I left on the hike. Ice cold water on a tough hike makes a difference. And trail mix. I thought this area was gorgeous. Similar desert areas to parts of Southern California. Quite impressed that you changed a tire in 100 degree heat in the boonies. Full size tire, properly inflated, as a spare would have been nice, huh? My mom moved out to a rural area and was often changing tires. Beautiful scenery. Interesting places with all the history. Loved the states markers.
I greatly enjoyed the video and I'm going to check out more of them. Btw, i know exactly where you were in the outtakes when you thought you were lost and then happened on to a slightly better road. You still had to turn around and go back out from there, lol. We own land a mile NE of that spot, so i recognized it immediately. Good work!
Wow that is really a remote windswept location… I have images of the farmer really shooting trespassers (who would ever know) and the remote motel owned by Bob and Jane Apple - Hitching Post. I googled the hitching post but I’m not sure I have the right place because it was very green and on a very large river? Wow Were you a bit worried when your tire went flat? Greetings from Australia.
I lived in Tulsa and what amazed me was how soft the dirt was. To build a house you need dig out dirt say 5-6’ and fill the area with better dirt for house foundation. Then thought of wagon trains and how the wheels would make ruts and how difficult travel must have been.
Bcuz it was formerly a seabed. Probably the same problem we have here in Louisiana. Lots of sand mixed in with that dirt, which causes instability in any building project. This requires pilings to enhance stability and not just for commercial buildings. Houses greater than 2 stories must include pilings. If a house is raised, they are also put on pilings.
We are from NEOK and drove to Raton NM for the second night of our honeymoon on the way to Colorado Springs for the week. We went by black Mesa then drove a backroad to Raton. It was a neat journey for two broke newly wed kids. My wife didn’t like the backroads as much as I did.
Awesome video. I really enjoyed the scenery and the history you provided. Very nice job. I did subscribe to your channel hoping to see more like this one. Thank you!
Loved it! If you ever get the chance to go back, I highly recommend trying to find Mexhoma. It’s a ghost town, but I believe there’s still a cemetery near the old townsite.
Well I don’t know if this is bragging or complaining, so I’ll just start with, I lived in Elkhart KS for around 40 years. In my youth they had a relay race across the panhandle from Elkhart to Texhoma Oklahoma every May. 4 men and 41 miles. They don’t have it anymore, but when I ran in it, there were more than 30 teams.
It's why Oklahoma is a southwestern, south, southcentral,western, and part Midwestern state. We have it all except snow covered mountains and real beaches. Because we have fake beaches lol.
@@charleswillams9501 that actually makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma borders 6 other states. If I think about it rationally it should look similar to all its neighbors. I’ve never been in the panhandle, so it was pleasantly surprising to me.
@@daniellilienkamp5202 there's parts Oklahoma that feel like Colorado,Utah, and even smaller version of the smokie mountains, only state that beats Oklahoma is Texas, because they have actual beaches.
in the early 1990s, the wife and I rode our mountain bikes up with a trail. None of the benches were there. The oblique was not granite. It was concrete then, the letterbox have been there for I don’t know how long.
Being from Oklahoma, it's always nice to see someone like this young man, take an interest in an interesting state. One commenter said "Truly the wild west!" That is correct. Oklahoma, being one of the last territories to fully open to settlement, was a melting pot of all kinds from the settlers to the outlaws, and even Chicago-style gangsters! The famous Western writer, Louis L' Amour and a friend of his were driving through the state about 1915 and stopped for gas in a small town. As they were filling up, they heard guns blazing on Main Street, ran up about a block to a drugstore, and discovered that a local rancher and a policeman had shot it out over a "personal matter". Both men emptied their guns into the other from about 20 feet and both men died at the scene! We had the likes of the Dalton outlaw gang, Bell Star and Blue Duck from Old West lore and Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Bonnie and Clyde from the gangster era, all just a decade or so, apart. Oklahoma was a truly wild place for sure and the last bastion of the Old West.
My grandmother went to school with Pretty Boy Floyd. She used to tell me stories about him, but I did not pay much attention because I really didn't know who Floyd was. I wish I would have now that I am an old man. Everyone lived in poverty back then, but she said his family was especially poor sharecroppers. It was a tough time back then. I'm surprised we didn't have more Pretty Boy Floyd's running around.
You forgot about the Marlow outlaws brothers 😂😂 reason were the Outlaws ❤❤❤❤ check it out
It can be violently cold and windy there. It an also be still and quiet enough that your ears may ring. No jet sounds and no car sounds. No light pollution.
Love that landscape and great history . Hope it dosent become a wind farm
I hope so too :)
😊Wind farm, good also
@@garnerjoyce606not if you live under them. And also, not if you're a bat (these wind farms are major bat killers, and other birds in general).
Fun fact: if you've ever heard of the rectangle of death in Yosemite, a similar legal loophole is what made this territory so wild.
No mans land beef jerky is awesome. Ive made thar hike 4 times over the years. Last time I was definitely out of shape. Next time Ill be good because Ive been working out 4 times a day. I love that corner of my state. Its beautiful
I love that country, the best thing is that, there is very few people 😅.
😊😎
Cimmiron is very beautiful area thank you
My grandparents owned a general store in Wheeles, OK in the 30’s (not sure of the exact dates). Legend has it (family story) that “Baby Face” Nelson and crew stopped for gas one night and my grandmother held them at gunpoint with a shotgun as my granddad pumped the gas. They later moved to settle a Ranch West Northwest of Clayton, New Mexico, where my dad was born.
Oh wow what a story!
This area of the country is spectacular. Further north from there is the Comanche National Grasslands with the amazing Carrizo Canyon. I took a whole week exploring the western Panhandle of Oklahoma, NE New Mexico, and SE Colorado. Basically, the canyons you could see from edge of the Black Mesa that you showed in this video. Saw herds of big horn sheep, coyotes, prairie dogs, and vast array of bird species along with reptiles of all sorts. The canyons and rock formations were mesmerizing. But be sure to go with a full tank of gas, a high clearance vehicle since it's mostly dirt roads, plenty of water and food because there are no towns to speak of in this vast region. Just unspoiled wilderness. There were a couple of days I saw no one nor any other vehicles. And download a map before you head into this part of the country, there is no cell phone reception for a few hundred square miles. If you are an adventurous hiker, you can hike through this area since much of it is public land. There are few trails, but most of the hiking is "pick your own adventure". I ran across petroglyphs, and centuries old ruins of Native American dwellings. I am planning on going back in September to explore it some more. And if you camp out in this part of the country enjoy the breath-taking night sky since there is no light pollution.
Great stuff! And I agree with you, such a unique place to visit and explore!
Wow . This is really interesting. I will plan a visit to this region one of these days
Black Mesa State Park and Lake Carl Etling are worth the long trip and well as hiking to Black Mesa monument. If isolation is your goal you can find plenty of it here. Very soul cleansing.
Agreed!
Star Gazing!
Few places let you see the night sky like the Panhandle of Oklahoma.
So few lights.
@@TravelwithaWiseguy
Did you know there's a small museum in Boise City with a dinosaur?
The old photos you included are precious, did anyone else read the caption to the photo at 7:45? "Lew Bush, the town marshal, who was shot-gunned to death by Madam Pussy Cat Nell, sits next to the standing fiddler" Loooove it! This was so much fun, John, thank you. A very nice rabbit hole you opened for me, I appreciate it. Safe travels, sir.
What a story! I did a video about Beer City and it was wild 😂
got to go back and look...what Town was it ?
Yes! I love pausing the video to read what is there. I often do a little research to get more insight. Seems Nell wasn't such a pussy cat! 😂
I love the hiking! It really adds something. Don't be afraid to produce longer videos!
Thank you! Do you consider 30 minutes long?
@@TravelwithaWiseguy Not really
@@TravelwithaWiseguy I think she meant longer than 6-15 minutes. I agree with her.
I live in Oklahoma and love the state! Welcome!
Really! It's nice to hear a favorable review by a local.
Lately I've been hearing a country song with the lyric, 'Ain't no love in Oklahoma, just the whistle of a long black train..." Evocative~
@@jessstone7486 I am a 4th gen Oklahoman and a student of the Old West. My son is a 5th gen okie, and we both love Oklahoma. The state offers diverse climates and landscapes, something for everyone; mountains, lakes, and forests in the east, a north/south tree line that cuts the state in half and begin the Great Plains to the west. Arid grasslands and prairie in the West gradually turn to desert by the time you reach New Mexico. My favorite place is western OK, where the Clovis and Folsom cultures settled around 10,000 BCE. Native Americans have lived here ever since, and their presence can be found everywhere. Western Oklahoma has clean air, millions of acres of open land that makes a person feel at one with the world. The sky is big, and at night you can see what the Milky Way Galaxy really looks like. A great place to live.
@@dr.strangelove7739 Wow, thank you for this! It's the most favorable 'review' of the state I've seen. Have been looking at (possibly) Tulsa but am troubled by things re OK > food is taxed, prop taxes are fairly high (tho not like TX) and my big issue, humidity. I love my boneyard-dry desert! But am will ing to consider other spots....sure seems like there's an exodus out of the state; so many props for sale!!!
That sign for Okla and Colo is really old because (well not so old) I remember when the abbreviations of states went from 4 letters to 2 letters. I'm not going to say how old I was,, just that I remember it changing.
Interestingly enough - I JUST watched your video on Boise yesterday. I left a comment. I remember when I first traveled on the "Black Mesa" It was 1990 and my husband's family lived in Raton, NM and he was showing me where his mom & dad lived in Folsom when they first got married (we had just been married). To get there we had to drive up the really curvy and steep roads up the Black Canyon and then down another steep and curvy road to Folsom. And then he showed me this ramshackle small cabin where each room had a different foundation level as each room had been added on by someone who was not a builder. It was interesting to look through as an abandoned building would be. And then he said "We could live here." I don't cuss, but I said "Oh Hell no!" And that was one of our first major arguments. Thankfully I won.
I love that sign! Don’t see things like that on a paved road 😊 glad you won that argument 😂😂
That’s where I grew up.
@tommorrow6046 in Folsom? My husband's cousins I think grew up there. Their last name is Thompson. His cousin, Jodi aka Linda ran the museum there.
Never heard of No Man's Land until recently, while reading Western historical fiction. And I'm a native Texan. Thank you!
Really interesting to me! Thanks!
Part of Cimarron County is in the Mountain Time Zone.
Only Kenton
It’s the only town up there that is
Thanks John, what a fascinating video! Great history, really worth a good listen. I'm not a livestock farmer in the USA and immediately wondered why cattle ranchers flocked to the area, so much so, I would have said there was little to feed cattle (well this time of year at least) and then you go and show us livestock scratching a living! It must cost a fortune in supplementary feed and ensuring enough water. Please remember I'm an English ex farmer used to verdant cultivated ley and pasture through out spring, summer and autumn and used to stocking rates of up to 20 to 40 cattle per acre. I wouldn't entertain livestock in what we have seen. Your ranchers must really be a hardy breed! I can't imagine cropping wheat or any other cereal on land we have seen, although you tell us they did. This kind of video fuels my imagination in all directions, all I can do is tip my hat to the settlers of this district! Once again, thanks John.
Lots of irrigation circles are used to water the crops. Natural rain just doesn’t cut it.
We’ve had to have hay flown in during the bad blizzards.
@@sarahodell6999 I know that system well, having grown alfalfa in the desert in Saudi Arabia in the 80's to feed dairy cattle kept indoors. I never imagined it in the USA. Thank you.
Buffalo land
Or long horn cattle, possibly
Shelter built needed
My husband has family in Felt, OK. They’re farmers in that area. Ever since he was a kid he’s loved going out to visit them (we live in Wichita) to play on the farm and see the panhandle. He really enjoyed this video and is looking forward to part 2!
Felt will be in part 2 😊
Grew up in the 'handle - Texhoma and Guymon. I spent some time in Felt with my aunt and uncle, teacher and farmer, in the early 80s. I now live in a big city and sure miss those tiny towns, believe it or not 😉
That's the first time I've seen the fake youtube part included. Just like I thought it would be. I've been through Boise City many times driving truck but always just in passing. Thanks for taking us on the tour.
Thanks! I try to be “real” as best as I can so when I see TH-cam videos like that I kind of chuckle 😂
Truly the wild west
Yes. I love it!
Really love this video. To show the contrast of Oklahoma landscapes, please do a video of southeastern Oklahoma especially the Talimena area. Keep on traveling!!
Thank you! One of my first ever videos was from down in the SE OK area. It’s not very good but you can check it out if you want. I did the Talimena scenic drive 😊
I second that idea, SE Oklahoma is beautiful in the fall, complete opposite of No Man's land which is awesome. Great video
I live in Big Cedar 1 mile from Talimena Drive
Wow that's a wild looking area. Thanks for the history lesson!
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks!
Nice little trip and I didn't even get tired
😂😂
Beautiful area!! Love the jerky!!
The spicy is the best!
It's NO longer made in Boise City or the Panhandle.
It's all made in Enid, OK now in a massive modern plant.
The co. was owned by the Smith family out of Keyes, OK. But made in Boise City.
My understanding is the Smiths sold out to their partner in Enid and retired.
John, really appreciate you traveling to the Panhandle of Oklahoma. Made my first trip there in August, 1973 and 2 more trips in May & July of 1974. Looking forward to your visit to Kenton! Hope the Old Store is still there and you can get access to it because it used to be stocked full of Indian artifacts (Arrowheads, etc.)on the shelves inside, a Mammoth Tusk, Bison Skulls, old Bottles; a multitude of things to enjoy seeing!! In 1973, there was a ninety year old man still operating the Store! You must go to Lake Carl Etling (Black Mesa State Park)!! There are Rock Formations such as Camel Rock, Daniel Boone, Shepherd’s Rock Cabin under Canyon Ledge, a formation of Petrified Wood, and 3-toed Dinosaur Prints in Creek Bed near the entrance ro ad to the Park, Dinosaur Prints inDry Creek Beds around the area, the Wedding Party and the Old Witch formations east of Kenton on Okla. Hwy 325 going to Boise City. If you search on top of the Mesa you might find Fossil Prints as I did in August of 1973. I found Paw Prints of a Prehistoric Cat imprinted in solid rock on top of the Mesa which had to happen when the rock was still soft! Also, I found a fossil of a Plant or Bone on a rock and I took pictures of both items. In 1974 at Fort Nichols, there were still deep ruts of the Santa Fe Trail in the ground. The Fort is located South of the Lake down dirt roads on Ranch Land. John, l’m going to try to send pictures to your GMAIL but not sure if they will go through since I don’t have your Email address; but will try anyway with the Website Address.
Thank you! And yes I visited the store and state park coming up in part 2 😊 unfortunately I didn’t make it to Fort Nichols.
The outtakes are great!😁😆
Safe traveling and Thumbs up!😎👍
Thank you! A little something at the end for the diehards 😊
One of my favorite Wise Guy videos to date -- the Oklahoma Panhandle is fascinating and beautiful. It is hard to believe that it was not that long ago that we had Indian Wars in the U.S. .
Thank you! I know it’s crazy right? We have a fascinating history all across this country.
My relatives homesteaded in Cimarron County southeast of Boise City, Oklahoma. Many of them migrated to Orange County California before WWII. I have explored much of Cimarron County in the past, including No Mans Land.
Black Mesa is a stunning park. I found it purely by accident.
What a unique area
I can see why it's called No Man's Land. It's really wild and beautiful but has very little to recommend it as a habitat. I'm so glad you got out with the donut tire. Bet it was good to get back on a paved road for awhile. Great video and history lesson. Thanks!
Thank you! Yeah there was no cell phone service so I was glad to get back to the tire shop 😊
Thank you for your work. I live in Burlington, CO, about 200 miles north of Kenton. My wife and I were on a flight to New Orleans from Denver. I had a window seat and observed the rocks and trees of the Black Mesa and commented several times “where are there mountains southeast of Denver?” After returning home, I consulted several friends that had grown up in SE Colorado and I discovered the Kenton area. My family and I try to make an annual camping trip to the area, including Picture Canyon and the dinosaur tracks south of La Junta. We walked to the Black Mesa summit often.
Awesome 😊 such an interesting area to explore!
I've been out there and seen the dinosaur tracks. I don't know if the store is still open in Kenton but they had dinosaur bones in there. It's very interesting out there. I use to live in Guymon back in the 80's. I hauled cattle. I like your channel.
Thank you 😊
Im from central Oklahoma , the urban areas and my whole life i never gave the panhandle any thought. Now that I'm older im finding i appreciate things that i never did before. This part of Oklahoma looks just as gorgeous as the other parts of Oklahoma i have seen. Trip there is going to the top of my bucket list. Thank you for this video
I’m the same way with how I grew up, but as I’ve gotten older I appreciate these places even more!
I’ve climbed Black Mesa many times and it is so beautiful out there Kenton. I recommend exploring Optima Lake near Guymon and the Beaver Dunes State Park in Beaver. Anyway I’m so fascinated with exploring small communities, geography and cartography and love your content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the tips! Hoping to do that eventually!
Any chance you ever attended the Easter Pageant services in Kenton? Of course as a kid my favorite part was the pancake breakfast! Some of my fondest memories!
@@babybugsma616 no I haven’t but that’s another neat thing I’d want to see.
did Lake ever fill up ?
Lived just east of on Coldwater creek.. ( Dry) Guymon 96 to 21. Optima lake was a big joke. One could walk across it and not get wet above the knee. Great dsm though.
Hiking with a Wiseguy 👍👍👍
Haha!
As a young boy I spent many summers in OK. My dad was born there in Caddo county specifically Kiowa Township. So, I am hopeful to see you do a video on that area one day. I like your style.
Hopefully someday - thank you very much 😊
You get a HUGE "E" for effort, Coach! What a neat video! I've traveled into and through the Oklahoma panhandle hundreds of times, and I can honestly say I never took time to stop and smell the roses. (Did you see any roses???) 😂 Thanks once again for taking us along, and I trust you didn't encounter that pesky rattler! 😲😲😲
Thank you Brenda! Didn’t see any roses except whatever that flower was on the sticky bush on the hike! Didn’t see the rattler - kind of disappointed on that actually 😊
Traveling off of the Black Mesa, into Colorado is such a steep road!
Great video. Spectacular, haunting views of the Black Mesa area.
Thank you.
Thank you - very true!
No Man's Land jerkey is my favorite as well.
Your best video format and content to date. Great work!
Wow, thanks! Anytime I stray from the normal format I wonder how it goes. I’m not the best narrator so I really appreciate the comment 😊
I agree
HAVE A GREAT WEEK COACH 😅
You too! Thanks 😊
Absolutely beautiful country. Definitely worth the trip. Be thankful it was only a tire. Can you imagine losing your water pump or blowing a head gasket out there?
I know right! Definitely need a tough vehicle out there!
@@TravelwithaWiseguy truthfully, felt bad for you with the heat and the storm moving in. Glad it worked out.
I’ve been to the Tri-state marker of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The Colorado, OK, and KS stop is on my bucket list.
Just go to Elkhart Ks. Turn west on state line road, go about 8 miles, it’s on the north side of the road.
Sending much appreciation from Duncan , Oklahoma ❤.
Awesome! Thank you! 😊
You should have went to fort Scott area it's beautiful there don't the animals are beautiful but don't get out of the vehicle ❤❤❤❤❤❤ when in the wild Life area and then go to medicine park it's beautiful there before leaving the animal park go to the mount Scott and you will be amazed ❤❤
Beautiful scenery. I love the log cabin.. Great video John
Thanks 😊
Fantastic video - really liked the aerial shots. I hiked the Black Mesa twice - it is in my top 2 of favorite state highpoint hikes. It was only a few years ago that they did trail work there so kinda surprised how the switchback looked.
I think it’s probably overlooked as a hike because it’s only 5000 feet but it’s very unique!
my wife is from oklahoma and me being a geography nerd I found out about this area after researching the state. it is a much different oklahoma than the part that she is from! really fascinating place.
Agreed!
Coach, I never lost faith in you...I knew you would finish the hike! 🥾🥾
😊💪🏼
Both the history and the scenery are amazing. Thank you so much! Quite a hike!
Glad you enjoyed it thank you 😊
Just finished watching. Another great one. If I ever get to that area I’ll have to try the Hitching Post for lodging.
John, I really felt for you when you had the flat. Would have loved to hear the conversation between you and the AAA operator if you had called for Roadside Assistance. Early on you mentioned the Tarbox family herding cattle. Their grandson, Elmer Tarbox, is in the Ring of Honor at Texas Tech in Lubbock. He was an All-American half-back and safety in the 1930's and a true hero in World War II. He was shot down flying the "Hump" between Burma and China. I believe that his name is next to some fellow named Patrick that plays for Chiefs.
Oh wow thanks for the great story about Tarbox! Yeah I think it would’ve taken AAA longer to drive there than me change it slowly 😂
I used to do wheat research around there and lots of places in Oklahoma its history is pretty wild. My family has some great history in Oklahoma. We have a farm in Ralston and my wife’s family were bankers for the Osage tribe and had a bank in the whisky town Ralston. On my side we got our Native land back from a botched legal paperwork from the Dawes act. Creek tribe my gggggreat grandfather was a sub chief of Okfuskee upper creek town and then took our tribe to land given to us which is now Okfuskee county Oklahoma.
Hello there sir! I love your videos, especially being a history, Route 66 and geography buff. By the way, the shirt where you’re hiking, would you be able to tell me where you acquired it? Love the style and color! Thanks for all your videos and keep them coming!
Thank you very much! I bought it at a little shop in New Mexico on Route 66 actually. Near the continental divide. You can Google search “My life in ruins” and find it online too.
Excellent video. Beautiful scenery. Little cabin would be a great way to end a super 1st part adventure. Setting of sunset is such a peaceful feeling for a good night sleep.
We agree 😊
Watching from Tahlequah...
👋🏼
It is great fun to travel around with you Wise Guy!
Grew up in Guymon, my wife relocated there with me when I moved back there from Wyoming. She thought it was a different world
Born in Beaver… Great video… fascinating area… part of Comancheria.
Thank you! Hoping to explore Beaver County as well!
I was BORN out of a beaver 🦫
Hello,Wise Guy! My husband and me are enjoying your channel for a long time. Thank you for your wonderful video. 😊 Recently visited No Man’s Land.we are thinking that you are Amazing, because it was so long drive and the hiking was very challenging to No Man’s Land, but it was worth.You are very patient &Kind. Have a blessed day.❤😊
I really appreciate that - thanks so much!
Thanks!
Wow thank you very much for your generosity!!
As you drive east you can literally see the "wall of Humidity" by the time you get to central Ok its much more humid.
EXCELLENT Vid!
My Mothers family homesteaded near Cimarron Ks ca. 1880.
I have great memories of Grandads childhood home in the middle of NOTHING.
There were still “Buffalo Wallows” visible in a draw that had never been tilled.
You call it No Man's Land and you're right but it's cattle's land. Ha! Beautiful place and such an interesting history. The dog at Hitching Post was adorable and I would've made friends with it as I love dogs. Thank you for the lovely trip. You should've pick a time when it would've been cooler. Guess you should've got a vehicle with tougher tires so you wouldn't have had a flat. Oh well guess that's part of traveling in No Man's Land. About the dinosaur tracks. I would've thought after several thousand years those tracks would've been washed away by rain and covered over by the winds blowing dirt. Happy trails to you and God bless.
Yes the cattle seem to own the place 😂 I made friends with the dog the next day 😊 I agree about the dinosaur tracks, that’s why I was asking the question since I’m not expert.
Your first video that popped up on my phone was 10 smallest towns in Florida, and since I live in Florida, it got my attention and started watching and enjoyed it very much. Been watching your videos and really enjoying them so much. Thank you and stay safe! 🙏💖
That is awesome! Thanks so much!
I'm on my way to Albuquerque today, will be driving through here.
Nice drive!
Nice video. You are out near the Santa Fe Trail Cimmarron route memorial, I dont know about summer time bc of the grass but in winter you can see the ruts very clearly with a drone!
Thank you! And yes that memorial will be in part 2 😊
So close to picture canyon & picketwire canyon and the old Rourke ranch while you were north of Kenton and into SE Colorado. Dinosaur tracks & petroglyphs galore in that area.
Cimarron County is nearly twice the size of my State (RI), with only a tiny fraction of the population.
Kind of crazy!
What a Great video, Coach! 👍😀 that looks nothing like my part of Oklahoma. So many Great scenes …. My favorite was the sunrise at the cabin (that one could have been much longer, if I may say), and the drive up the wagon track, where you may have got the tire puncture😢😨😃👌(glad you made it back to town to have it fixed). Yeppers, this episode should make your Hall of Fame! 👏🤟😁🎊
Thank you very much! I wanted to try and tell the history of the area the best I could. Such a fascinating place!
I laughed at the ending. Totally can relate, uphill hiking in 90 degree temps at higher elevations with a back pack, lol. I would pop partially filled water bottles in the freezer and put cold water to fill before I left on the hike. Ice cold water on a tough hike makes a difference. And trail mix. I thought this area was gorgeous. Similar desert areas to parts of Southern California. Quite impressed that you changed a tire in 100 degree heat in the boonies. Full size tire, properly inflated, as a spare would have been nice, huh? My mom moved out to a rural area and was often changing tires. Beautiful scenery. Interesting places with all the history. Loved the states markers.
I had to narrate the hike because my heavy breathing was too loud 😂 I drank 4 bottles of water so the backpack got lighter on the way back!
Great video and a fun hike, I’ve done it twice now.
Very cool! 😎
I greatly enjoyed the video and I'm going to check out more of them. Btw, i know exactly where you were in the outtakes when you thought you were lost and then happened on to a slightly better road. You still had to turn around and go back out from there, lol. We own land a mile NE of that spot, so i recognized it immediately. Good work!
Thanks! And yeah I had to turn around. My map showed a road that went through 🤷🏼♂️
What a good tour and very interesting. I bet the shower felt good. Thank you.
Thanks and it definitely did 😂😂
Wow that is really a remote windswept location…
I have images of the farmer really shooting trespassers (who would ever know) and the remote motel owned by Bob and Jane Apple - Hitching Post. I googled the hitching post but I’m not sure I have the right place because it was very green and on a very large river? Wow
Were you a bit worried when your tire went flat? Greetings from Australia.
I wasn’t worried about the tire, more like GEEZ not right now 😂
Thanks!
Thanks so much John! Much appreciative of your generosity!
I lived in Tulsa and what amazed me was how soft the dirt was. To build a house you need dig out dirt say 5-6’ and fill the area with better dirt for house foundation. Then thought of wagon trains and how the wheels would make ruts and how difficult travel must have been.
Bcuz it was formerly a seabed. Probably the same problem we have here in Louisiana. Lots of sand mixed in with that dirt, which causes instability in any building project. This requires pilings to enhance stability and not just for commercial buildings. Houses greater than 2 stories must include pilings. If a house is raised, they are also put on pilings.
The first music sounds like Pecos Hank. He would make a great interview for your series of interviewing other YT producers!
We are from NEOK and drove to Raton NM for the second night of our honeymoon on the way to Colorado Springs for the week. We went by black Mesa then drove a backroad to Raton. It was a neat journey for two broke newly wed kids. My wife didn’t like the backroads as much as I did.
Quite the journey, but definitely not for everyone :)
Awesome video. I really enjoyed the scenery and the history you provided. Very nice job. I did subscribe to your channel hoping to see more like this one. Thank you!
Thanks so much! I’ve done several other counties like this so I hope you continue to enjoy!
Please show the beauty of southern Kansas along hiway 160 from Meade to Ashland and further east. The red cliffs and gypsum hills are beautiful.
My first time seeing one of your videos. Good job 👍 Great place and topic 👏
Well done, thank you. I'll be checking out some more.
Much appreciated thank you!!
Wanted to say thank you for sharing your vlogs about our home state.
You’re very welcome. I always enjoy exploring Oklahoma!
Loved it! If you ever get the chance to go back, I highly recommend trying to find Mexhoma. It’s a ghost town, but I believe there’s still a cemetery near the old townsite.
Part 2 😉
This is a very good video. Im going to black mesa tomorrow. Its going to be so much fun. Im ready to hike🙂
Awesome have a blast!
Comanche land. Enjoyed watching. Love those wide-open places.
Thank you 😊
Great video and story of no man’s land. We’ve actually visited the state marker you showed in your video. 👍
Very cool! 😎 thanks!
thanks for making video , I’m excited and thank God for the chance to visit there next month!
Awesome! Hope you have a blast!
Another good video. Love all the history.
Thanks again! More to come in part 2 😊
Well I don’t know if this is bragging or complaining, so I’ll just start with, I lived in Elkhart KS for around 40 years. In my youth they had a relay race across the panhandle from Elkhart to Texhoma Oklahoma every May. 4 men and 41 miles. They don’t have it anymore, but when I ran in it, there were more than 30 teams.
That’s definitely an interesting area. It looked more like part of the southwest than my mind’s eye expectation for Oklahoma. Thanks.
Absolutely 💯
It's why Oklahoma is a southwestern, south, southcentral,western, and part Midwestern state. We have it all except snow covered mountains and real beaches. Because we have fake beaches lol.
@@charleswillams9501 that actually makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma borders 6 other states. If I think about it rationally it should look similar to all its neighbors. I’ve never been in the panhandle, so it was pleasantly surprising to me.
@@daniellilienkamp5202 there's parts Oklahoma that feel like Colorado,Utah, and even smaller version of the smokie mountains, only state that beats Oklahoma is Texas, because they have actual beaches.
@@daniellilienkamp5202 we got alligators and black bears in this state.
Great video Mr Wise!
Thank you kindly!
That little cabin was really cool. The panhandle is really cool environment in my opinion.
Agreed 💯
in the early 1990s, the wife and I rode our mountain bikes up with a trail. None of the benches were there. The oblique was not granite. It was concrete then, the letterbox have been there for I don’t know how long.
Another great adventure sir. Thank you.
You bet!
What an interesting part of our country! The blue roofs at the hitchin post were very photogenic. Thanks for sharing.
I agree! Very unique!
I worked all over that area in the oilfield and camped in a RV on the sites for months at a time
Great presentation! I love that whole area.
Thank you!
Hey man, I really appreciate this video. Well done
Thank you! I really enjoyed making it!