I think everywhere is beautiful in it's own way. From the flat lands of the US to the green hills of Ireland. It's the same with people. If you have eyes to see, you can find beauty everywhere. God does good work.
As someone from North Georgia, I find the vast openness unsettling. I need mountains, hills and ridges to dot the landscape around me or I feel exposed for some reason. I can’t explain why and I know it sounds silly… but that’s how it is
There's a lot of beauty to it. I am from India which is much more densely populated and I love seeing empty vast open lands like these, full of nothingness as far as you can see.
Grew up in Guymon,Oklahoma from 1980 to 1986. We were a Lao immigrant family that was sponsored by the local church. The town was full of friendly people. We kids were able to walk safely all over town. I've either walked or ride my bike all the places in the video. Our house was on the corner of NE 5th and Crumbley. Loved our years there but you are correct on the poverty then and now. Grew up seeing kids coming to school with hunger pain. And like someone said...the $51k average only due to a few rich families there.
@wza223-fo3mc been back several times to visit since my father is buried at the local cemetery. Some things have changed. Many things have stayed the same. The "jungle gym" at the school where we attended is still there. The playground at the local park is still the same . Unfortunately, it's not as safe as it was before...all the drugs and crimes that moved in. Many who could, have moved away.
@tybarker5038 missed the "sunny rain" where it's may be pour where you standing but sunshine a few blocks away! And the smell of dried grass after it get wet by the first rain!
There's a lot of beauty to rural USA. I am from India which is much more densely populated. Here, you're never really too far from civilisation unless you're in some extreme terrain like the Himalayas, the forest, desert etc. I love seeing empty vast open flat lands like these, full of nothingness as far as you can see. Just a road, empty fields and deserted towns, no people. It's so peaceful to get away from people.
I would love to visit your Country...always found fascinating...My Father was there much, during WWII...He enjoyed, did many drawings/sketches while there
I retired in Eastern Oklahoma about 7 years ago after a life and career in New Jersey Construction. I never realized there were so many parts of the country that are only serviced by dirt roads! But I love getting off the beaten track, this was a great trip! Thanks!
I really enjoyed the music you selected for your run through the Oklahoma Panhandle. Many years ago I spent a little time in Kansas. It reminded me of that with the grain elevators and everything. I'll be looking forward to your visit to Dodge City KS. I passed through there many, many years ago.
Thanks for another cool video! I was born in OKC and moved around a ton as a kid *father in pipeline* I'm now settled back in Oklahoma in a small town, there's just someone special about our state though I cant put a finger on it! I absolutely love how Oklahoma has such a unique landscape in almost every corner of the state are different, thanks for exploring our state :)
Yes. I've lived in South Central Oklahoma just north of lake Texoma. Western Oklahoma off I-40 and the Texas state line. And OKC area now. Used to go to Pryor Oklahoma northeastern Oklahoma every year. And deep into the kiamichi mountains in Southeastern Oklahoma. It's all different.
My home state of Oregon has a much more unique and diverse geography. Oceans, lakes, big rivers, mountains, deserts, vast forests. I found Oklahoma to be devoid of geographic interest. I've driven thru the panhandle several times on the way to Tucumcari, NM.
My son in law has a cousin who lives in the panhandle and manages a ranch. They do have to drive quite a ways for major shopping but seem to enjoy living in those wide open spaces.
I like that your commentary includes a lot of factual data that helps the viewer shape their own impressions of the communities and not have to share your perspective all the time. It's a lot of smart content and the mere fact that you are out there exploring pays a lot of respect even to the towns that you may not be particularly positive.
You took a so-so route through Guymon and missed northeast Hwy 54, which is where the better lodging and restaurants are located. Downtown is a fading relic of the pre-shopping centers era.
I wish we had this long and straight roads with basically no traffic here in Germany 🙂 Must be so relaxing to put some music on and just cruise along ❤️
Thanks for this video. You were sooo close to the Black Mesa area and the old ranching community of Kenton (just on the OK side of the state line). You also could have taken the short side road to see the monument for the point where 3 state meet - OK, NM, and CO. Oh well maybe next time.
I love seeing videos like these because i cant drive due to epilepsy. So doing roadtrips through the eyes of others is the next best thing and you're good at it
I grew up in Oklahoma and it is home to me, so I love seeing your videos of these small towns. I can only claim to have been in the Oklahoma panhandle once that I can recall, so this was a real treat to see it. I will continue to watch your videos. I wish I could make these travels myself.
That was really interesting to see. Panhandle seems peaceful, spacious and kind of creepy at the same time. Thank you for the tour. I grew up in Tulsa, been in Texas about 40 years now. I can detect your Oklahoma accent. It’s great.
I have driven across ( or ridden motorcycles ) the OK panhandle many times. I knew a family that lived in Hooker, OK. Median income may be $50K/year in Guymon, but it's likely that high because there is small percentage of folks ( cattle, and oil/gas ) that are very wealthy, but most are very poor. I'm enjoying following your adventure.
That's correct. If possible median income would be much more indicative of how much money most people make as opposed to the average income or per capita income which allow a few really large landowners to skew the numbers somewhat.
I've ranched from North Texas up into the badlands of Kansas. I live in north central Oklahoma now, but have spent a good 25 years in the handle. It's really about a barren a place as any. It's a totally different kind of life.
Thanks from this European for this drive and vicarious trip to the deep rural USA . Europe/France also its share of remote, derelict places and dying towns!
Just subscribed! Never knew you existed! Just love this, I am Estelle, Walt's wife, maiden name Smith. So my family is from west KS and I spent the first 4 yrs .old my life there, so this all looks familiar. I remember the flatness, treeless, plains and the silos and yes, windmills! I was raised in CA, but, the plains has never left me!
I disliked going through New Mexico to Rocky Ford, but thought the Oklahoma panhandle was beautiful. I saw a variety of plant life, animals, and the rail road line. As a kid I pretended I was going back into time. Once you live out in the country and get used to it, you don't care that much for city life. It's a different way of life out there and you appreciate more.
Boise City looks exactly the same as I remember as a child passing through it in the early 70's on our way up to Colorado to visit my grandparents. I remember that building in the square very plainly And I remember how flat it was/is.
I really like the music, it's a perfect match to a landscape without people! It must be hard to drive for hundreds of miles without ever meeting anybody! Especially at night, one would have some chance to fall asleep at the wheel! Thanks a lot for another episode of "drive - through America"! I think it's an expression I got right here🙃.
Thank you for your videos and music. I love it!! I drove from Phoenix to Milwaukee Wisconsin a year ago. I love to see little towns and the drive. Thank you again.
I live in west Texas and yea, brick streets are pretty common in small towns. They’re getting pretty rough after so many years, but they were quite the improvement over axle deep mud when it ever rains!
I took my boys thru BC in 1986 on the way to WY & MT. We stayed at the American. Is it still there? They were so nice to us for our 2 weeks there. Did you know Bob (Bunk) & Mildred Robinson? They took us in & were so kind to us. We also became friends with the Meister family as well. Their boys were the same age as ours. Did you know RB & Pat Mathis at FBC? They moved to Cordell. We stayed a week at Black Mesa SP & helped with the Bible school in Wheeless. I loved Kenton & wanted to retire there but that didn’t happen. Met the Prather family who ran the General Store there. We finally retired to near Altus. So we aren’t far from from Cordell. I really loved that little town & like you said, the people there are so friendly & helpful.
Very cool trip you guys!. We take that route when we visit Angel Fire - Eagles Nest, NM. It's pretty easy to cruise at 90 if you want to just put the miles down.
Really enjoying your videos. I enjoy the drive and the occasional narration. I like the view from the highways, just letting us look out the window like we’re riding along. I can tell you just from the few videos of yours I’ve seen, I’d much rather live in the Oklahoma panhandle than Portland, Oregon. Like, it’s not even close.
Just subscribed and liked video. One thing I love is history, and I love seeing videos like this. I love the old rural towns, seeing all the history that is still standing, maybe not in best shape, or falling down, but you can still feel the aura, the history of the old streets, buildings, thinking how great it once used to be many years ago.
Black Mesa is located in the Oklahoma panhandle. It is the highest point in the state of Oklahoma at 4,500 ft. Part of it extends into Northeastern new mexico. It is part of an old volcano eruption from hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Supposedly, the easiest way to get to the highest elevation point on Black Mesa is through New Mexico. You can drive to within just a few hundred feet or so of that high point by going that way. But you have to cross private land to get there, so nobody but connected people can do that.
Some trivia I suppose that you traveled through Woodward, mileage to Guymon 116, 116 miles to the next stoplight. Highway 3 from Slapout to Hardsty is 76 miles that’s straight, longest straight highway in USA. You should’ve stopped at Bryan’s Corner, BCK good food. Beaver has annual Cowchip throwing commutation, don’t hit 1 of the judges. I always like the quiet, the distance, & being able to see where I’m going.
I miss my small town vibes. I've lived in so many small towns. Shattuck is one. Someday I'd love to do this . Drive around Oklahoma. Such a great idea!!
Several things' 1) The eastern half of the Oklahoma panhandle is not "flat". In fact there are rolling hills steep enough to have passing lanes. We saw some in your video. 2) Guymon is where the term "dust bowl" came from. An AP writer coined that term while writing a story from Guymon in the 1930s. 3) Guymon has two really good steakhouses and the Ambassador Inn makes the best pile of pancakes you will ever eat.
The eastern half of Oklahoma is rolling hills and mountains filled with forests. Lake Tenkiller is still one of the best lakes of the state. The panhandle though... I think most left for Texas.
Those hills are quite nice. On my bucket list is Black Mesa State Park, just North of Wheeless, at the Western end of the Panhandle. Oklahoma is full of unexpected gems.
I just found your channel a couple months ago and love the nostalgia of the old rural towns and their history/population facts. I was anxiously waiting for this episode of the One true Panhandle. only to be disappointed that you didn't hit my home town. I can't believe you didnt see the name Hooker on the map only 20 miles from Guymon and and think "I just have to take a short detour for the name alone." I grew up and moved from there in '01 to Detroit. You should definitely hit the Panhandle again on US54 for the every ten minute highway, (A town every ten minutes/miles) Tyrone to Texhoma.
I did enjoy this. I am new to Oklahoma. I live in Ponca City and always wondered about the Panhandle Thank you for this. Very interesting. Now I can tell my CA people the fun facts I learned!
I'm from California but I have at least one hundred cousins that live in Ponca city. My Great grandfather and Great grandmother are buried there. They had ten children.
Cost of living in Guymon is actually not that low comparative to the offerings of the city. I was born and raised in Guymon and prices have gotten much, much higher. Median income may be $51,000 but the average home price is disgustingly high, especially given the quality of the homes on the market.
The cost of living increases dramatically when you get to Norman, because it’s a college town. The population has exploded too. I moved here in 1985 from Maysville where the population is less than 2,000. Norman’s population at that time was 80,000 and now it’s well over 130,000. Getting really crowded.
The western area of the panhandle is rugged with hills, canyons, and pretty areas. Kenton is in a different time zone. Hikers, campers, anglers visit the area.
Australia here/ After you get through doing all of America, maybe think about putting it all together- as a download (pay for) or CD- I,d pay for it all, as a record and the way you do your stuff is great, as I DO go to other sites, where I research war/politics etc, but I come to watch your work, for relaxation, knowledge, history and I often spend a whole day doing that, so thank you. Cheers to Nicolle too. CY from OZ.
My hometown is Goodwell OK. My family moved when I was 8 and I've been wondering what guymon and that area look like now, I definitely need to take some time and visit there now that I'm almost 21. It's nice to get to see what that area is looking like now, thank you
You really missed the businesses and all the beautiful homes. So much more to Guymon than a deserted town. Sunset lake is beautiful. The north part of town is where the growth is.
Just recently ran across your youtube videos. These are great!! My wife and I have started watching your videos and love them. As for the Oklahoma Pan Handle, I always wondered what it was like. Now I know. You are very good with the way you do these videos and talk about them. Very clear and interesting. Keep up the great work.
Beautiful part of Oklahoma. For contrast visit the mountains of McCurtain and Pushmataha Counties of Eastern part of the state and the beautiful forests of pine and hardwood trees. McCurtain County is also blessed with the pecan trees, cypress trees, water moccasin snakes, swamps and alligators of the Mississippi and Louisiana delta region.
Guymon is proof that the poor can have dignity and values. If you truly love thy neighbor its hard to commit trespasses against them. Having a healthy fear of God helps keep people on the straight and narrow. Wonderful video, Loved that big sky.
I’ve made this trip a time or two. Your video shows it has not changed much, if at all, since the first time I made the trip. There are times, usually after a good rainfall, one can see acres and acres of beautiful wildflowers. It can be a very peaceful ride, but during times of bad weather it can get rough.
Love videos like this! I drove the panhandle, actually to visit Boise City OK on my drive back to Washington DC from Seward Alaska in 2018. So flat out there! It was a bit out of the way to drive from Ak to DC via Boise City, but my UK cousin wanted to take a picture of the Welcome to Texas sign not too far away, which we did after having a wonderful chicken fried steak lunch in Boise City. Believe me the drive from Seward Alaksa to Washington DC was a looong drive but a beautiful drive Loved Oklahoma !!
Welcome to the 5 state high plains area. Born and raised there. Went to college at OPSU 10 miles SW of Guymon. Moved away after college. Was gone 11 years, moved back to SE Colorado in 1999. Live now 50 miles north of Boise City Ok. The reason I am here, it is home. That is what my father said when he returned from military duty after WW2. Thanks for the video.
I hope you enjoyed your drive across the sooner state. I enjoy it several days out of my work week. I love the desolate stretches of open road. It's relaxing to me. I live in the OKC area now. But I really want to be back out in nowhere Oklahoma.
I believe my late father told me Bonnie and Clyde use to rob banks in that area in the 1930s. Someone can correct me if I am wrong ? Great video, enjoyed it !
Yes. They robbed banks in Louisiana Texas Oklahoma Missouri Kansas and maybe a couple others. I know they also murdered a couple police officers in Oklahoma as well.
@@thebigokie6.4_392 when I was a child they brought Clyde and Bonnie Barrow car through our hometown, the one they were killed beside and in. I remember it was riddled with bullets, and blood stains was still on the seats. This was in around 1967 only around 30 some years after they were killed !
Love the panhandle, especially Cimarron County. Spent about 3 weeks there. The people were awesome. Farming & agriculture is #1. Stayed in the American motel. Great host. Went to Black Mesa SP to camp with the kids & helped with Bible school in Wheeless. Can’t find better people. Wanted to retire in Kenton - farther east town in OK & Black Mesa is highest point in OK. This was a cool reminder. Thanks.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip don’t forget to stop & look. Go to tri-corner [OK, NM & TX.]. check to see if Gen Mdse store is open. The owner, Don Prather died. Some dude from another state bought it. Also, started a vineyard there & cabins. Don’t know what was the outcome… haven’t been back. Would love to see it again. Also, check out Camp Billy Joe. They have an Easter pageant somewhere around there. I didn’t hear about the star gazing until later. It’s supposed to be the best area for that. Draws people from everywhere.
Lived out there for 7 years. The people are wonderful, treat a stranger like family. You missed things in your video that show the positive side of the towns, but I guess if you aren’t familiar with the area you don’t know where to look.
I was absent a couple years and went into the old K Bobs and a rancher I had worked on a well on his place was there with his arm in a sling. I knew he raised Angus so I asked if he had bought some Charolais cattle. He laughed and laughed. Sure enough he had bought some half Charolais heifers and one chased him up the corral fence. She didn't get him but he slipped falling with his arm under him. It was like seeing your own kinfolk. Huddleston. Great people.
Some precious friends that lived in Dumas TX, moved to Guyman Okla in the 70s, he was a pastor and had since passed, my best friend was his son Jimmy Maddox. Haven't seen them for about 45 years. Brought back more memories of my childhood. Thanks
You drove right past the only bomb that dropped on the continental US during WWII (accidentally) in Boise City. I thought for sure you’d stop at it. Also echoing what others have said about Kenton and Black Mesa. You would have really enjoyed it. Kenton is a fascinating town and there’s an old abandoned movie set that would have made for fascinating content. Hopefully you go back.
@@jamess7576 Did you not read the part where it said accidentally and it was the only city it was on the Sunday And everybody was in church It did not detonate it was a dummy and still stuck in the ground at the square by the courthouse It was foggy that morning and I thought the light at the courthouse was where they was supposed to drop in Research before commenting and learn how to read
@@robertdahle7216 That isn't how I read it. The accidentally being in parenthesis means the accidentally is an aside not a qualifier or condition. If the writer meant the only accidental bombing then they should have wrote the only bomb to drop accidently on the ... rather than the only bomb that dropped on the ... (accidentally). Regardless, it really shouldn't be a matter to get ones undies in a twist. It isn't a big deal and I was mainly writing to bring attention to a pretty crazy, interesting event at Miles City. It is worth looking up, and is history worth remembering.
Relentless sun and mostly empty sky in summer. Relentless wind and bleak days in winter. Such are the High Plains. You have to love desert to live there.
The Air force wasnt around in 1943 , they were formed in late 1947. I bet it was the Army air core. I lived in Baca county ,Co . I have found .50 cal brass where they would spray rounds over ranch land where people lived.
@@PaulShaw-ex7ri Paul, it was known as the United States Army Air Forces - USAAF. The designation USAAF changed to USAF, September 26, 1947, by order of the Secretary of Defense. So in 1943 it was still USAAF! Google the article of the Boise Ok bombing, you will find the term USAAF! Im 88, I was around when these things happened. LOL
You should have gone to Kenton ,Oklahoma it's the only town in Oklahoma thats on Mountain Time Zone also the Mercantile is over 100 years old still open with its tin ceiling and old wooden floors it just brings you back in time. Also Kenton is at the base of Black Mesa the highest point in Oklahoma and not far from the Tri state marker. Did you know Boise had a bomb dropped on it. Another interesting fact Boise is the county seat for Cimarron County which is the only county that has no stop lights.
I'll be doing a separate Black Mesa/Kenton video this fall. I'll check out that bomb site in Boise City then. In this video, I was just passing through.
The story I was told is Air force was practicing bomb runs at night and the target was lit up like a box. The run was off course and seen the four lights of the city square thinking that was the target. Bomb away
I visited kenton after visiting my hometown after my family moved a decade ago and the mercantile was not open, I think the population there is actually down to only about 3 people now from the research I've done. I could still be wrong tho!
@@deadlychicken915 nope the population is less than 50 but I couldnt believe it when i crossed the base of Black Mesa that the time changed back an hour 😂 i had incredible times traveling all the oklahoma panhandle and it is interesting how every small town has its own character
My roadtrips I actually love exploring the downtowns....trying to figure out which store was the Woolworths, Mintgomery Ward etc. and the old remnants of painted signs or facades. I keep finding new/old US roads and prefer those to the Interstates. Too bad Walmart and the urban sprawl have taken over many smaller places
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip when I drove truck I used to stop for my coffee at a truck stop in Ferhus Falls.Minnesota. . This past year i took another highway and went into the town and found so mamy signs and treasures including many old houses plis the signs and stores. Live 200 miles from there tet never knew what kimd of gold was there
Great video, drove part of this in 2018 and absolutely loved the desolation of this area. Crossed into New Mexico and the headed North into Colorado. The San Luis Valley in southern Colorado is amazing! Like the Bronco Sport btw and hope its serving you well. Thankyou
Happy to:) I’ve been on a mild Oklahoma kick these past weeks, on account of convalescing and remembering a trip my family took there about ten years ago (to Marlowe, OK) for a funeral. Very different but not unpleasant vibe, geographically and climate wise and people wise to central Florida. So I’ve watched a number of these sorts of videos, and yours is at the top.
I remember driving through that area on a sunny morning with blue clear skies and being able to pick up an AM radio station in San Diego! Amazing the signal could travel that far.
I love rural America. Some folks hate flat land but there's a certain beauty to it .
I agree!
I think everywhere is beautiful in it's own way. From the flat lands of the US to the green hills of Ireland. It's the same with people. If you have eyes to see, you can find beauty everywhere. God does good work.
In Boise City is a nice clean motel run by some folks from India , you can smell the good food cooking .
As someone from North Georgia, I find the vast openness unsettling. I need mountains, hills and ridges to dot the landscape around me or I feel exposed for some reason. I can’t explain why and I know it sounds silly… but that’s how it is
There's a lot of beauty to it. I am from India which is much more densely populated and I love seeing empty vast open lands like these, full of nothingness as far as you can see.
Grew up in Guymon,Oklahoma from 1980 to 1986. We were a Lao immigrant family that was sponsored by the local church.
The town was full of friendly people.
We kids were able to walk safely all over town. I've either walked or ride my bike all the places in the video.
Our house was on the corner of NE 5th and Crumbley.
Loved our years there but you are correct on the poverty then and now. Grew up seeing kids coming to school with hunger pain. And like someone said...the $51k average only due to a few rich families there.
I walked around your town as an epic thunderstorm brewed. Never seen such a pretty and fierce storm but it felt like a normal day for the panhandle.
@wza223-fo3mc been back several times to visit since my father is buried at the local cemetery.
Some things have changed. Many things have stayed the same. The "jungle gym" at the school where we attended is still there. The playground at the local park is still the same . Unfortunately, it's not as safe as it was before...all the drugs and crimes that moved in.
Many who could, have moved away.
@tybarker5038 missed the "sunny rain" where it's may be pour where you standing but sunshine a few blocks away! And the smell of dried grass after it get wet by the first rain!
$51K wasn't the average. It was the median, and it's now over $55K. That means half of households are higher than that.
There's a lot of beauty to rural USA. I am from India which is much more densely populated. Here, you're never really too far from civilisation unless you're in some extreme terrain like the Himalayas, the forest, desert etc. I love seeing empty vast open flat lands like these, full of nothingness as far as you can see. Just a road, empty fields and deserted towns, no people. It's so peaceful to get away from people.
I would love to visit your Country...always found fascinating...My Father was there much, during WWII...He enjoyed, did many drawings/sketches while there
You guys are far from civilisation in a different way
I retired in Eastern Oklahoma about 7 years ago after a life and career in New Jersey Construction. I never realized there were so many parts of the country that are only serviced by dirt roads! But I love getting off the beaten track, this was a great trip! Thanks!
I really enjoyed the music you selected for your run through the Oklahoma Panhandle. Many years ago I spent a little time in Kansas. It reminded me of that with the grain elevators and everything. I'll be looking forward to your visit to Dodge City KS. I passed through there many, many years ago.
A new way of getting to know those beautiful places. thanks for sharing....
Thanks for another cool video! I was born in OKC and moved around a ton as a kid *father in pipeline* I'm now settled back in Oklahoma in a small town, there's just someone special about our state though I cant put a finger on it! I absolutely love how Oklahoma has such a unique landscape in almost every corner of the state are different, thanks for exploring our state :)
Totally agree, Kelsey.
Yes. I've lived in South Central Oklahoma just north of lake Texoma. Western Oklahoma off I-40 and the Texas state line. And OKC area now. Used to go to Pryor Oklahoma northeastern Oklahoma every year. And deep into the kiamichi mountains in Southeastern Oklahoma. It's all different.
My home state of Oregon has a much more unique and diverse geography. Oceans, lakes, big rivers, mountains, deserts, vast forests. I found Oklahoma to be devoid of geographic interest. I've driven thru the panhandle several times on the way to Tucumcari, NM.
I enjoy the heck out of your shares. Thank you.
My son in law has a cousin who lives in the panhandle and manages a ranch. They do have to drive quite a ways for major shopping but seem to enjoy living in those wide open spaces.
I like that your commentary includes a lot of factual data that helps the viewer shape their own impressions of the communities and not have to share your perspective all the time. It's a lot of smart content and the mere fact that you are out there exploring pays a lot of respect even to the towns that you may not be particularly positive.
Amazing! Always wondered what that OK panhandle was like! Thanks.
Yeah, me too. It was interesting, and beautiful in it's own way.
You took a so-so route through Guymon and missed northeast Hwy 54, which is where the better lodging and restaurants are located. Downtown is a fading relic of the pre-shopping centers era.
I wish we had this long and straight roads with basically no traffic here in Germany 🙂 Must be so relaxing to put some music on and just cruise along ❤️
Thanks for this video. You were sooo close to the Black Mesa area and the old ranching community of Kenton (just on the OK side of the state line). You also could have taken the short side road to see the monument for the point where 3 state meet - OK, NM, and CO. Oh well maybe next time.
I'm eventually going to do a Black Mesa video. I think it deserves that. :)
I love seeing videos like these because i cant drive due to epilepsy. So doing roadtrips through the eyes of others is the next best thing and you're good at it
I grew up in Oklahoma and it is home to me, so I love seeing your videos of these small towns. I can only claim to have been in the Oklahoma panhandle once that I can recall, so this was a real treat to see it. I will continue to watch your videos. I wish I could make these travels myself.
That was really interesting to see. Panhandle seems peaceful, spacious and kind of creepy at the same time. Thank you for the tour. I grew up in Tulsa, been in Texas about 40 years now. I can detect your Oklahoma accent. It’s great.
LOL, the accent just won't go away. :)
I have driven across ( or ridden motorcycles ) the OK panhandle many times. I knew a family that lived in Hooker, OK. Median income may be $50K/year in Guymon, but it's likely that high because there is small percentage of folks ( cattle, and oil/gas ) that are very wealthy, but most are very poor. I'm enjoying following your adventure.
That's correct. If possible median income would be much more indicative of how much money most people make as opposed to the average income or per capita income which allow a few really large landowners to skew the numbers somewhat.
Yes..Hooker has a great Carshow every year, get cars from 5 states !
I've ranched from North Texas up into the badlands of Kansas. I live in north central Oklahoma now, but have spent a good 25 years in the handle. It's really about a barren a place as any. It's a totally different kind of life.
Thanks from this European for this drive and vicarious trip to the deep rural USA . Europe/France also its share of remote, derelict places and dying towns!
Just subscribed! Never knew you existed! Just love this, I am Estelle, Walt's wife, maiden name Smith. So my family is from west KS and I spent the first 4 yrs .old my life there, so this all looks familiar. I remember the flatness, treeless, plains and the silos and yes, windmills! I was raised in CA, but, the plains has never left me!
Awesome! Glad you're here. :)
I disliked going through New Mexico to Rocky Ford, but thought the Oklahoma panhandle was beautiful. I saw a variety of plant life, animals, and the rail road line. As a kid I pretended I was going back into time. Once you live out in the country and get used to it, you don't care that much for city life. It's a different way of life out there and you appreciate more.
Well maybe NM to Rocky For dislikes you too…
Boise City looks exactly the same as I remember as a child passing through it in the early 70's on our way up to Colorado to visit my grandparents. I remember that building in the square very plainly And I remember how flat it was/is.
Cool to see my office in this video! Thanks for visiting!
I really like the music, it's a perfect match to a landscape without people! It must be hard to drive for hundreds of miles without ever meeting anybody!
Especially at night, one would have some chance to fall asleep at the wheel!
Thanks a lot for another episode of "drive - through America"! I think it's an expression I got right here🙃.
Thank you for your videos and music. I love it!! I drove from Phoenix to Milwaukee Wisconsin a year ago. I love to see little towns and the drive. Thank you again.
Very cool! Thanks, David. :)
I live in west Texas and yea, brick streets are pretty common in small towns. They’re getting pretty rough after so many years, but they were quite the improvement over axle deep mud when it ever rains!
Seemed like a homey place to me. Nice town.
Just catching up to your work. Cheers. Keep exploring. Loves this stuff.
This footage aligns perfectly with what I’ve always imagined the scenery in the Oklahoma panhandle to look like…
Great video! I’ve wanted to visit the OK panhandle for a long time.
My grandma and I enjoy watching your videos. We feel like we are there. Our family has done traveling before.
That's what I like to hear! 👍😀
Missing that drive, lived in Boise City before the pandemic. Very friendly people lots of space and great night skys
check out the night skys near aspen colorado
I took my boys thru BC in 1986 on the way to WY & MT. We stayed at the American. Is it still there? They were so nice to us for our 2 weeks there. Did you know Bob (Bunk) & Mildred Robinson? They took us in & were so kind to us. We also became friends with the Meister family as well. Their boys were the same age as ours. Did you know RB & Pat Mathis at FBC? They moved to Cordell.
We stayed a week at Black Mesa SP & helped with the Bible school in Wheeless. I loved Kenton & wanted to retire there but that didn’t happen. Met the Prather family who ran the General Store there.
We finally retired to near Altus. So we aren’t far from from Cordell.
I really loved that little town & like you said, the people there are so friendly & helpful.
Very cool trip you guys!. We take that route when we visit Angel Fire - Eagles Nest, NM. It's pretty easy to cruise at 90 if you want to just put the miles down.
Beautiful. Didn’t see graffiti!! Looks like a good honest place.
Of course there's no graffiti...there's no blacks. Paradise.
Because there's no hope for young people and therefore no young people..
Really enjoying your videos. I enjoy the drive and the occasional narration. I like the view from the highways, just letting us look out the window like we’re riding along. I can tell you just from the few videos of yours I’ve seen, I’d much rather live in the Oklahoma panhandle than Portland, Oregon. Like, it’s not even close.
Thank you for the kind words. :)
Just subscribed and liked video. One thing I love is history, and I love seeing videos like this. I love the old rural towns, seeing all the history that is still standing, maybe not in best shape, or falling down, but you can still feel the aura, the history of the old streets, buildings, thinking how great it once used to be many years ago.
Thank you for the kind words. :)
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip your welcome. will watch more videos after work.
Black Mesa is located in the Oklahoma panhandle. It is the highest point in the state of Oklahoma at 4,500 ft. Part of it extends into Northeastern new mexico. It is part of an old volcano eruption from hundreds of thousands of years ago.
And actually a pretty nice change of landscape from the endless plains that is the rest of the pan handle.
Supposedly, the easiest way to get to the highest elevation point on Black Mesa is through New Mexico. You can drive to within just a few hundred feet or so of that high point by going that way. But you have to cross private land to get there, so nobody but connected people can do that.
The Black Mesa area is amazing, especially at night!
@@jenniferswaim2751 I'm sure it is that night with all of the brilliant stars in the sky over black mesa.
@@hummingbird275 What are you babbling about?
Some trivia I suppose that you traveled through Woodward, mileage to Guymon 116, 116 miles to the next stoplight.
Highway 3 from Slapout to Hardsty is 76 miles that’s straight, longest straight highway in USA. You should’ve stopped at Bryan’s Corner, BCK good food.
Beaver has annual Cowchip throwing commutation, don’t hit 1 of the judges.
I always like the quiet, the distance, & being able to see where I’m going.
Love the name Slapout and how it got that name.
Thank you so much for these videos. Takes me back to when I was kid growing up there. I’m now back in Texas where I was born and belong.
I miss my small town vibes. I've lived in so many small towns. Shattuck is one. Someday I'd love to do this . Drive around Oklahoma. Such a great idea!!
I drove through Shattuck! Stopped at that Indian themed convenience store. That is an interesting looking town. :)
Do it! You'll never regret jt.
Several things' 1) The eastern half of the Oklahoma panhandle is not "flat". In fact there are rolling hills steep enough to have passing lanes. We saw some in your video. 2) Guymon is where the term "dust bowl" came from. An AP writer coined that term while writing a story from Guymon in the 1930s. 3) Guymon has two really good steakhouses and the Ambassador Inn makes the best pile of pancakes you will ever eat.
The eastern half of Oklahoma is rolling hills and mountains filled with forests. Lake Tenkiller is still one of the best lakes of the state. The panhandle though... I think most left for Texas.
I’ll have to stay there next time I’m passing through. Usually 3 or 4 times a year. I like to ride the back roads of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas
Good to know.
Those hills are quite nice. On my bucket list is Black Mesa State Park, just North of Wheeless, at the Western end of the Panhandle. Oklahoma is full of unexpected gems.
Gone through there many times on US 56. It is wide open with very few people. I love it.
I just found your channel a couple months ago and love the nostalgia of the old rural towns and their history/population facts. I was anxiously waiting for this episode of the One true Panhandle. only to be disappointed that you didn't hit my home town. I can't believe you didnt see the name Hooker on the map only 20 miles from Guymon and and think "I just have to take a short detour for the name alone." I grew up and moved from there in '01 to Detroit. You should definitely hit the Panhandle again on US54 for the every ten minute highway, (A town every ten minutes/miles) Tyrone to Texhoma.
We will be. And we'll visit Hooker. :)
I did enjoy this. I am new to Oklahoma. I live in Ponca City and always wondered about the Panhandle Thank you for this. Very interesting. Now I can tell my CA people the fun facts I learned!
Ponca City is where I live now also
I'm from California but I have at least one hundred cousins that live in Ponca city. My Great grandfather and Great grandmother are buried there. They had ten children.
Cost of living in Guymon is actually not that low comparative to the offerings of the city. I was born and raised in Guymon and prices have gotten much, much higher. Median income may be $51,000 but the average home price is disgustingly high, especially given the quality of the homes on the market.
Seaboard drives up the cost.
You sure do have the wanderlust. So do I. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks! :)
Interesting video. Watched it mainly because I had a friend in the Navy from Guymon back in the early 70's. Nice town Dwight.
The cost of living increases dramatically when you get to Norman, because it’s a college town. The population has exploded too. I moved here in 1985 from Maysville where the population is less than 2,000. Norman’s population at that time was 80,000 and now it’s well over 130,000. Getting really crowded.
You missed the best part of seeing Black Mesa and a tiny town called Kendrick. Great beef Jerky called No Man's Land in Boise City.
The western area of the panhandle is rugged with hills, canyons, and pretty areas. Kenton is in a different time zone. Hikers, campers, anglers visit the area.
Really enjoyed your video on the Oklahoma pan handle. Never seen it until now. It was Awesome to see and learn about the towns. Thank you.
Thank you for that, Donna! :)
Despite poverty , the people are humble and kind , in Oklahoma ,hardworking too
Excuse me where are you from?
Australia here/ After you get through doing all of America, maybe think about putting it all together- as a download (pay for) or CD- I,d pay for it all, as a record and the way you do your stuff is great, as I DO go to other sites, where I research war/politics etc, but I come to watch your work, for relaxation, knowledge, history and I often spend a whole day doing that, so thank you. Cheers to Nicolle too. CY from OZ.
Fella 😊
My hometown is Goodwell OK. My family moved when I was 8 and I've been wondering what guymon and that area look like now, I definitely need to take some time and visit there now that I'm almost 21. It's nice to get to see what that area is looking like now, thank you
Check out Kenton sometime. The terrain there is a lot different than the rest of the panhandle.
Great video. Made me think how the landscape has changed.
I’ve always wanted to drive through the panhandle. Thank you for these videos!
Very good job..i love rural USA..thanks from Italy.
Your video started close to my house. I live 86 miles east of Guymon on that same highway you’re on.
You really missed the businesses and all the beautiful homes. So much more to Guymon than a deserted town. Sunset lake is beautiful. The north part of town is where the growth is.
Just recently ran across your youtube videos. These are great!! My wife and I have started watching your videos and love them. As for the Oklahoma Pan Handle, I always wondered what it was like. Now I know. You are very good with the way you do these videos and talk about them. Very clear and interesting. Keep up the great work.
Beautiful part of Oklahoma. For contrast visit the mountains of McCurtain and Pushmataha Counties of Eastern part of the state and the beautiful forests of pine and hardwood trees. McCurtain County is also blessed with the pecan trees, cypress trees, water moccasin snakes, swamps and alligators of the Mississippi and Louisiana delta region.
Guymon is proof that the poor can have dignity and values. If you truly love thy neighbor its hard to commit trespasses against them. Having a healthy fear of God helps keep people on the straight and narrow. Wonderful video, Loved that big sky.
I think you went right through Slapout! That's an interesting place...
,my dad was from slapout. And we moved to guymon before I was born. Lived there 17 years
Was waiting for a comment from him about Slapout!
I've spent time in Guymon. I like Guymon very much. Good Town.
👍Thanks. Very enjoyable in its un-presupposing, appreciative way.👍
When I was a kid in the Texas panhandle, our family would go to the Guymon auction in the 1970's.
I’ve made this trip a time or two. Your video shows it has not changed much, if at all, since the first time I made the trip. There are times, usually after a good rainfall, one can see acres and acres of beautiful wildflowers. It can be a very peaceful ride, but during times of bad weather it can get rough.
Love videos like this!
I drove the panhandle, actually to visit Boise City OK on my drive back to Washington DC from Seward Alaska in 2018. So flat out there! It was a bit out of the way to drive from Ak to DC via Boise City, but my UK cousin wanted to take a picture of the Welcome to Texas sign not too far away, which we did after having a wonderful chicken fried steak lunch in Boise City. Believe me the drive from Seward Alaksa to Washington DC was a looong drive but a beautiful drive Loved Oklahoma !!
That is awesome. :)
Welcome to the 5 state high plains area. Born and raised there. Went to college at OPSU 10 miles SW of Guymon. Moved away after college. Was gone 11 years, moved back to SE Colorado in 1999. Live now 50 miles north of Boise City Ok. The reason I am here, it is home. That is what my father said when he returned from
military duty after WW2. Thanks for the video.
I hope you enjoyed your drive across the sooner state. I enjoy it several days out of my work week. I love the desolate stretches of open road. It's relaxing to me. I live in the OKC area now. But I really want to be back out in nowhere Oklahoma.
I believe my late father told me Bonnie and Clyde use to rob banks in that area in the 1930s. Someone can correct me if I am wrong ? Great video, enjoyed it !
Yes. They robbed banks in Louisiana Texas Oklahoma Missouri Kansas and maybe a couple others. I know they also murdered a couple police officers in Oklahoma as well.
@@thebigokie6.4_392 when I was a child they brought Clyde and Bonnie Barrow car through our hometown, the one they were killed beside and in. I remember it was riddled with bullets, and blood stains was still on the seats. This was in around 1967 only around 30 some years after they were killed !
Awesome content spoda especially for those of us who can't get out there thank u!
Thank you!! :)
Love the panhandle, especially Cimarron County. Spent about 3 weeks there. The people were awesome. Farming & agriculture is #1. Stayed in the American motel. Great host. Went to Black Mesa SP to camp with the kids & helped with Bible school in Wheeless. Can’t find better people. Wanted to retire in Kenton - farther east town in OK & Black Mesa is highest point in OK. This was a cool reminder. Thanks.
We'll be heading to Kenton soon.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip don’t forget to stop & look. Go to tri-corner [OK, NM & TX.]. check to see if Gen Mdse store is open. The owner, Don Prather died. Some dude from another state bought it. Also, started a vineyard there & cabins. Don’t know what was the outcome… haven’t been back. Would love to see it again.
Also, check out Camp Billy Joe. They have an Easter pageant somewhere around there. I didn’t hear about the star gazing until later. It’s supposed to be the best area for that. Draws people from everywhere.
@@Moon-eg3vm Cool, thank you for the tips. 😀
Enjoyed your video of the Oklahoma panhandle. I've only crossed it to get from Texas to to Kansas. All so desolate, and yet with a charm all its own.
I totally agree.
Lived out there for 7 years. The people are wonderful, treat a stranger like family. You missed things in your video that show the positive side of the towns, but I guess if you aren’t familiar with the area you don’t know where to look.
I agree and would had liked him to video and talk about Boise City.
I was absent a couple years and went into the old K Bobs and a rancher I had worked on a well on his place was there with his arm in a sling. I knew he raised Angus so I asked if he had bought some Charolais cattle. He laughed and laughed. Sure enough he had bought some half Charolais heifers and one chased him up the corral fence. She didn't get him but he slipped falling with his arm under him. It was like seeing your own kinfolk. Huddleston. Great people.
Some precious friends that lived in Dumas TX, moved to Guyman Okla in the 70s, he was a pastor and had since passed, my best friend was his son Jimmy Maddox. Haven't seen them for about 45 years. Brought back more memories of my childhood. Thanks
I'm an Iowa resident, and I love the west. For me , west of the Missouri River is the west
I enjoy riding with you , keep it up 🙂
You drove right past the only bomb that dropped on the continental US during WWII (accidentally) in Boise City. I thought for sure you’d stop at it.
Also echoing what others have said about Kenton and Black Mesa. You would have really enjoyed it. Kenton is a fascinating town and there’s an old abandoned movie set that would have made for fascinating content.
Hopefully you go back.
Not quite, a B-17 dropped bombs on an ice dam up in Montana by Miles City during the war to stop flooding.
I will be. I'm going to visit Kenton/Black Mesa soon. They will get their own video.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip yessssss I cannot wait!
@@jamess7576 Did you not read the part where it said accidentally and it was the only city it was on the Sunday And everybody was in church It did not detonate it was a dummy and still stuck in the ground at the square by the courthouse It was foggy that morning and I thought the light at the courthouse was where they was supposed to drop in Research before commenting and learn how to read
@@robertdahle7216
That isn't how I read it. The accidentally being in parenthesis means the accidentally is an aside not a qualifier or condition. If the writer meant the only accidental bombing then they should have wrote the only bomb to drop accidently on the ... rather than the only bomb that dropped on the ... (accidentally).
Regardless, it really shouldn't be a matter to get ones undies in a twist. It isn't a big deal and I was mainly writing to bring attention to a pretty crazy, interesting event at Miles City. It is worth looking up, and is history worth remembering.
Looks really great nice and quiet with room to spare love it.
Relentless sun and mostly empty sky in summer. Relentless wind and bleak days in winter. Such are the High Plains. You have to love desert to live there.
Spent a couple of days a few times working on the airport in Guymon. I liked it.
It's funny to see that the closest big city to OK panhandle is Amarillo, TX - and not Oklahoma City, OK.
You came to within a very short distance to Black Mesa, just North of Wheeless. It's on my Bucket List. Man, I love your videos.
7:13 Boise Cuty, bombed by B17's of the USAAF Jul 5th 1943
Love these kinds of videos. Retired, disabled. My chance to explore America, THANK YOU!!
The Air force wasnt around in 1943 , they were formed in late 1947. I bet it was the Army air core. I lived in Baca county ,Co . I have found .50 cal brass where they would spray rounds over ranch land where people lived.
@@PaulShaw-ex7ri Paul, it was known as the United States Army Air Forces - USAAF. The designation USAAF changed to USAF, September 26, 1947, by order of the Secretary of Defense. So in 1943 it was still USAAF! Google the article of the Boise Ok bombing, you will find the term USAAF!
Im 88, I was around when these things happened. LOL
Thank you for the nice videos of Oklahoma I always wanted to explore and see whats out there
Thank you for watching Levi! :)
Thanks for sharing beautiful scenery 👍🇺🇲
You should have gone to Kenton ,Oklahoma it's the only town in Oklahoma thats on Mountain Time Zone also the Mercantile is over 100 years old still open with its tin ceiling and old wooden floors it just brings you back in time. Also Kenton is at the base of Black Mesa the highest point in Oklahoma and not far from the Tri state marker. Did you know Boise had a bomb dropped on it. Another interesting fact Boise is the county seat for Cimarron County which is the only county that has no stop lights.
I'll be doing a separate Black Mesa/Kenton video this fall. I'll check out that bomb site in Boise City then. In this video, I was just passing through.
The story I was told is Air force was practicing bomb runs at night and the target was lit up like a box. The run was off course and seen the four lights of the city square thinking that was the target. Bomb away
I enjoy your videos, keep up the great work.
I visited kenton after visiting my hometown after my family moved a decade ago and the mercantile was not open, I think the population there is actually down to only about 3 people now from the research I've done. I could still be wrong tho!
@@deadlychicken915 nope the population is less than 50 but I couldnt believe it when i crossed the base of Black Mesa that the time changed back an hour 😂 i had incredible times traveling all the oklahoma panhandle and it is interesting how every small town has its own character
Enjoyed the travel...thank you!!
Thank you for the kind words, Billy! :)
My roadtrips I actually love exploring the downtowns....trying to figure out which store was the Woolworths, Mintgomery Ward etc. and the old remnants of painted signs or facades. I keep finding new/old US roads and prefer those to the Interstates. Too bad Walmart and the urban sprawl have taken over many smaller places
It's almost always the most interesting areas in cities, and definitely where the most unique architecture is.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip when I drove truck I used to stop for my coffee at a truck stop in Ferhus Falls.Minnesota. . This past year i took another highway and went into the town and found so mamy signs and treasures including many old houses plis the signs and stores. Live 200 miles from there tet never knew what kimd of gold was there
I grew up in Tyrone. Recently took a drive of my own in that area. It has changed so much. Left in 1994.
I love community theater, and Its cool to see Guymon has one
You’re not too far from us. We live just below the Texas/Okla border, in that corner where you started. Yes, it’s DESOLATE!
Great video, drove part of this in 2018 and absolutely loved the desolation of this area. Crossed into New Mexico and the headed North into Colorado. The San Luis Valley in southern Colorado is amazing! Like the Bronco Sport btw and hope its serving you well. Thankyou
Happy to:) I’ve been on a mild Oklahoma kick these past weeks, on account of convalescing and remembering a trip my family took there about ten years ago (to Marlowe, OK) for a funeral. Very different but not unpleasant vibe, geographically and climate wise and people wise to central Florida. So I’ve watched a number of these sorts of videos, and yours is at the top.
Thank you!
I remember driving through that area on a sunny morning with blue clear skies and being able to pick up an AM radio station in San Diego! Amazing the signal could travel that far.
I drove the panhandle myself, I just have not published my video yet. I love your maps and how you show your position.
Thanks always wondered what was in that little slice of Oklahoma 😃
Yeah, me too. I was excited to drive through it. :)
@@JesusLovesYou2- I'm sure what video could possibly show everything....
Wow it's a beautiful part of the state. i am in OKC metro and if i can ever work fully at home i'd love to move to a quieter area like this.
Beautiful ♥️ information 🤔 Oklahoma 👍😊 watching fr jamaica 🇯🇲🏖️🌞😎