I've been in midland for 11 years now and yes it s a big oil money town. The houses are modest but there are neighborhoods with beautiful massive homes, mansions really. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV so I was surprised when I found out that there are hidden neighborhoods with massive homes. The locals know what neighborhoods they are. During the holidays people drive around neighborhoods to watch Christmas lights because Christmas is a massive thing here and people go all out on decorations 👏🏻 it's very pretty
Been stuck out here for about the same time, did insulation work for a while and the biggest home I did was like 8,000sq-ft with a garage/barn the size of a small grocery store.. took like 9 hours.. that stuff down mockingbird are tiny compared to some of the stuff on the north side.. 9 hours for the attics, took 3 days to do everything*.. you'd be suprised how many safe rooms and bunkers are here.
Recently discovered this channel, and what a breath of fresh air it is. Simple touring of towns without all the over produced, music laden nonsense. Subbed.
I am related to half of Midland lol. You got to experience that good ol West Texas weather first hand. 80 degrees one day, 30 degrees and snowing the next day. But I love Midland. It's just a hour and ten minutes from Lubbock so it's a nice drive
When I lived there people used to tell me there was no way to get anywhere. Nonsense, I'd say. You can go anywhere in the world...just have to get to Dallas or Houston first.
Lived here all my life and I like it! It’s quiet but not like a small town kind. People that live here say there’s nothing to do but thank God we can always make money somehow some way to travel and have fun to see other places! We’re definitely hard working people here 💪
Im from the Dallas area, but i lived in Midland during the early 80s doing comstruction. It was booming! I loved every minute of living there. I still call it my adopted home town. "The sky's the limit in Midland Texas"
My wife is originally from Midland. My company is oilfield related & they asked me if I wanted to relocate there & work... more $$ of course.. I told my wife about it & she said "you'll have to go by yourself"... "I'm not going back to that dustbowl!!" LOL 😂
That part of downtown is considered the “bad side of town.” It’s obviously still beautiful, but that’ll show you how much more there is in the rest of the city. It truly is a hidden gem. Downtown is great, but there’s so much more in the rest of the town
I lived in Midland as a child in the late 1960s. My father worked for Shell Oil. Some of the happiest years of my life. I saw Luigis downtown! And I remember the Yucca theater. Thank you so much for this tour.
Likewise….the center of Permian basin where life was good growing up in 60s with George Bush jr and Laura Welsh not a marriage thing yet as it was Charles Younger ( across street from Bushes…the house was yellow in 60s) that got them together and also with golf at country club life and visiting Hap Sharp on the Chaparral race track with little crime and good disciplined schools, although tough beating Odessa Permian in football, and rabbit hunting with the guys. So yea…those were the happiest days so different from today it almost seems like twilight rough zone as compared to todays schools and such to Midland today.. with oil business going south due to liberal administration, 12:28 Midland and surrounding towns may be hard pressed to survive…sad, but we had our day in the Midland sun at it is to be remember…for sure.
I'm a native of Midland. I cannot imagine why you thought it would be "rundown and decrepit". Makes me wonder if you are a Texan. Midland at one time in the 50's, 60's, etc. had the highest per capita income of any city in the USA. It'll be interesting to hear your demographic info on the Tall City in the Land of the High Sky. Well I don't know if you intentionally stayed in "old" Midland around the downtown - but you missed entirely the newer residential areas which are MUCH nicer than what you showed. Midland is a good sized city and you hardly saw a tenth of it.
The last time I had been in Midland was the eighties. It was rundown then. I was surprised to see it wasn't when I saw it this time. I intentionally stayed in the downtown area. This is a city downtown exploration channel. I'm there mostly for the unique architecture, but other things as well - artwork and murals, homelessness, is it clean, unique businesses and pubs, how many people live there and are they walking in the streets. I'm not interested in seeing generic suburbia or anything else outside the city core.
Midland is a good place to live, if you can ignore 100 degrees Fahrenheit and also the dryness of the chihuahua dessert, also no fun and games here, because there's not an awful lot to do so it is boring.
When I got to Midland in 2018, it was fairly run down, downtown. A lot of boarded up windows and abandoned buildings. Things seem to get better when oil prices go up, along with rents getting higher. There are still parts of Midland that are run down. Don't kid yourself.
🤠 Hat's off to you. Thanks for a nice review on Midland. I lived in both Midland & in Odessa in my early 20's and I'm back living in Midland for my retirement years. 🙂
One of the best finds in 2022 , is your channel. I love all the videos. You do amazing work sharing your travels. I started with rural Texas and have joined you and your beloved wife on numerous travels around our amazing country. Thank you for sharing your video travel-journal. Love this channel!!!!
Thank you so much for this!! My son and I have driven the interstate back and forth from Tucson to Ft Worth when he went to U of A. I always told him that someday, I wanted us to take the time to see Midland. It’s almost impossible to imagine from the interstate that there’s really a town. I always commented that maybe there’s not one! Lol. You did it for me!! I love the city and everything you showed us. The Bar looked great as well as your food. Midland DOES exist and a thriving, successful city is there!!
The Bar is as much an institution as anything in Midland. I lived there 13 years and it was around long before that and it's still the downtown "hot spot" another 13 years after I left. There's a definition division between the haves and have nots in Midland. There's a lot of Daddy's Money in town if you know what I mean.
If you would have asked a local we could have shown you where the much bigger neighborhoods are and the more upscale houses are located. Hope you come back and visit again. Definitely need to try some local food next time.
The Yucca Theater is a beautiful turn-of-the-century two story theater. It is home to Summer Mummers, one of the wildest live shows you'd ever see. The improv comedy shows are also a hoot.
Wow, the view at 9:40 is incredibly nostalgic for me; I had a multi-year internship for a drilling fluids company that worked out of the office directly behind this on the 2nd floor and my work area had a huge window looking directly this way, about 20 feet from where you were standing. It was a great experience tbh. I grew up in Midland but most people I meet haven't even heard of it before and I rarely ever hear about it outside local news, so it was cool to see these places that are so iconic to me from your perspective
The Tall City is a cool spot. Wild when the Permian is popping. Enjoyed my time there throughout the years. The Sun & wind hit different out there too.
Midland has always been in my mind as a money town. Rich in oil. All those homes might be modest but there's people with money in them. Awesome video! Never seen it in person but now I feel like I've been there!
I've been in midland for 11 years now and yes it s a big oil money town. The houses are modest but there are neighborhoods with beautiful massive homes, mansions really. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV so I was surprised when I found out that there are hidden neighborhoods with massive homes. The locals know what neighborhoods they are. During the holidays people drive around neighborhoods to watch Christmas lights because Christmas is a massive thing here and people go all out on decorations 👏🏻 it's very pretty
I was born & raised in Midland. Watching the oil boom change the city over the years was unreal. Not too much going on in the downtown area, though some of the surrounding areas are very nice. Love the channel, looking forward to the Odessa video!
Beautiful town, thanks for sharing this. I like the barn house, if the owner sees this you picked a great home in a town full of unique and wonderful homes.
Hi Guys. Me and the wife came across your channel and are completely hooked on your journey. It’s been fascinating watching and listening to your commentary. We’re especially enjoying the Wyoming and Colorado videos as we love the massive wide open spaces with crisp blue skies. We’re planning a road trip across the USA and will be using your recommendations.
Hey now! Killer channel brother! I really enjoy all of the historical data which you prepare for us viewers. Gives us a little glimpse of what it's like and the vibes of each place you visit. I can tell you love that lifestyle of road gypsy along with your ride or die Mrs. Lord Spoda as it shows through in your videos. Man, I love what you do and am so thankful to you for showing us all this footage from the US of A!!! Cheers from Western Canada 🇨🇦
FYI Odessa is the step sister city lol 😆 Im a born n raised native Midlander and tho I appreciate you spending time in the south side( as that's where I grew up ) you really missed out on some very really beautiful areas of Midland. If you're wanting to make videos of Midland then you should do as a series to really capture all Midland has to offer. The population is actually 157K plus btw...if you decide to come back contact me and I'll be happy to guide you around and take you to lunch in the best hole in the wall in town. You went to THE Bar, way overrated but glad you enjoyed. Thanks n God Bless and Merry Christmas 🎄☃️
I have a friend that’s big in the oil business located in Midland. I’ve never been there but if he’s a indication of the people from there it’s a great friendly city. I’m very impressed.
What a lovely video. I grew up in Midland - not born, but spent the largest chunk of my childhood here. So many memories, especially with the Christmas decorations all put up in downtown. As a kid I never quite had to think about the stats and numbers, but I could practically SMELL that winter-chill air. Remember spending most every Christmas Eve driving around the city to see the biggest best Christmas lights, so many folks enjoyed the season to the hilt. It's almost painful to look at the house I lived in, since my grandmother passed and the family sold the place. Thank you for such a wonderful look at a place I still love even decades later!
Midland is okay,Love the Weather here and the Money is wonderful! Rent is very high. And food is high too. Some of our businesses are going to close,Grams pharmacy and Long John's silver. Hate seeing all the old places go away.
I stayed overnight in Odessa/Midland when I was moving across the country. They had a very nice hotel out there, but the Odessa side was a bit rough around the edges. I'd certainly visit that area again if I were to pass that area again.
Midland has a lot to offer. I have quite a bit of family there. The WWII air museum is neat. There are quite a few museum's there that are worth going to.
Lord Spoda I have grown increasingly hooked on your videos. I would never get the chance to travel as you do but you have certainly widened my horizons. Thank you so much for all you do. Meanwhile I will travel with you no. matter where you go. I love your voice.
Midland has multiple organizations that help the homeless. They have 3 meals a day during the week served by non-profits catered to helping the homeless.
I grew up in Midland and my husband & I started our family there. We got married in the same chapel as Laura & George W. The Yucca Theatre is, indeed, still in operation. It's home to Summer Mummers, which is the longest running live melodrama in the country. The New York Times did a write-up on it several years back. The saying goes, "Mummers is not something that can be explained; it must be experienced." Midland is a place where one doesn't expect to find culture, but it's there. The Museum of the Southwest is housed in the Turner Mansion (which has its own dark history), and it boasts an impressive art collection. Good video. I saw a few buildings where I used to work in the oil & gas industry, which was pretty cool. Looking forward to your review of Odessa. The two cities are quite different from one another. We always used to say you raise your babies in Midland, and your hell in Odessa. Lol... Be safe out there!
My mom and her side of my family are from west Texas, Best people on planet Earth IMO. That may change in the future with transplants moving in but in the 1980s and 90s you couldn’t find better people on this planet. They were real people and I loved them and I wish everyone could be like they were
I spent my childhood in Midland and graduated from high school there. It was a pretty safe place to grow up but there’s not much in the way of entertainment or nightlife. I still go back to visit my family but I would never ever move back. Too dull and dusty!
I live here, lol. No wonder it was recommended to me. I have watched a few more of your Texas videos and absolutely love them. I am now subbed and eagerly awaiting more content.
Very beautiful video.What a beautiful movie to start the day. I love Mindlat and Texas. I wish you a nice . Thank you very much for this beautiful video. God bless you in Mindland and throughout Texas.
I just love that kind of bar. Last time a went USA I drank a beer in every bar I pass by on the streets. Just loved that kind of stuff. Every detail, every piece has a history and motivation to be on the wall. Everything is well cared and the food looks amazing! Congratulations for the video.
Well since Earl muted my reply, Odessa is actually only about 30 miles, I used to live in Midland and attended UTPB where I got my Bachelors degree. With two small children I would not have driven 130 miles each day. You can't mute this one, Earl. And it is considered West Texas!
Yo Spoda...good video as always brother & "THE BAR" was def my kind of dive to experience,the place looked really cool and the food looked great but what sold me on the place was the tunes brother!...that house was a rockin' my friend!....my kinda music!
I love watching you both eat dinner! I am just like “ the wifey” I can’t eat all my food and a to go box is needed. You should add more restaurant clips in with your videos. I enjoy seeing the local food. Like small diners and little bbq places were they cook their ribs and briskets. Thank you!
Yo this is where I’m from. My hometown, born & raised! I grew up in Midland in the 2000s and I have witnessed so much change during my lifetime when they tore down an old court house, right where you were standing in centennial park. And also, I remember the time when George W & Laura Bush flew over downtown Midland in Air Force One for the final time as president and came to speak that day! So many great memories.
I grew up there, too. I was living in Houston when the plans were announced to demolish the beautiful courthouse. It was such a shame. But before they did it, I made the trip back to town and shared a bottle of champagne on the courthouse steps with a dear friend. It was a bittersweet night, but I'm so glad I did it.
@@mindibunch5232 Cool, I bet those were fun memories to look back on! So where Midland is now, centennial park is a great place to not only hang out, but the city had moved the star spangled banner event from hogan park to centennial in downtown either last year or couple years ago, not too sure. And we just did the Christmas parade there this past Saturday night! That was a great time.
Really enjoyed your video. I have lived in Midland for over 28 years and planned to move back to my hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma in retirement, except all of my children have moved back to the Midland/Odessa area. I believe I will not be going anywhere, but will stay in Midland with family. My wife grew up in Odessa and most of her family lives in this area as well.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Wish we could have said "hello" when you were in Midland. My daughter and husband live in Odessa. He is the great eye doctor in Odessa. Wish you had more time in Midland to explore the sports fields in the Northwest and some of the big homes where the money is made in Midland. Somehow you overlooked these areas. Somewhat disappointing.
Enjoyed your guided tour of Midland! From the 1970s to about 2018 my wife and I made numerous visits "clear across Texas" to visit Odessa. Many of my wife's family members lived there. Occasionally we would get off of Interstate 20 and drive through Midland. Quite a difference between the two cities.
My mother's family relocated from southern Illinois to Midland after World War 2. Her father was a preacher who supported his family by working as a broadcast engineer. In that capacity, he designed and constructed the transmitters for the first television station in Midland, KMID, which signed on in 1953. Grandpa worked with a then-weatherman at KMID who moved on to Hollywood to pursue a successful acting career: Edward Platt.
Welcome to West Texas weather..I have lived in Odessa most of my life. It only pays that well if you are working the oil field. Bush was actually born in Odessa and moved to Midland as a young kid.
Cool video! I think you missed quite a bit of Midland though. I’ve been here 12 years and can say Midland definitely grows on one. Btw, it’s Theeeeee Bar. Happy New Year!
There are some beautiful neighborhoods in Midland. There’s a home on a property that takes up the whole block! There’s also some really nice homes hidden around downtown.
Dennis here. Thanks. Midlanders have a pretty simple outlook on things. For instance, if you don't ALLOW homeless camps to crap up your city, there won't BE any homeless camps crapping up your city.
I hired in with Texas Instruments back in 1991 in Midland. You are correct in that it is a nice city. Coming from green South Texas, I was expecting a dusty western town but Midland surprised me. I saw so much commercial expansion in the short seven years I lived there before TI closed the plant and we were moved to Sherman Texas. Midlanders were awesome! Made alot of friends and memories there. As for that West Texas wind, it is always blowing from the west majority of the time. I had to adjust my golf game to play in that wind. Lol! Thank you for sharing!
I'm from this area. Since yall plan on going to Odessa, I HIGHLY recommend trying Tequeria Reynosa on the corner of University and N Grandview. The tacos quesadillas with bistec and those AMAZING beans our out of this world.
I was raised in Midland Texas I would love to someone to go down Main Street they consider mean all the new modern buildings on the outside of Main Street and no one ever shows Main Street
I was born in Odessa back in '81. my parents came from the Rio Grande Valley and followed job opportunities in the medical field towards the tail end of the of 70s oil boom. Odessa was known as a blue collar town where as Midland was known as the white collar city (reason why you see the skyline and none in Odessa) One of the downtown buildings that you showed i could of sworn was going to be demolished sometime this year. The Western United Life building, the one that had the marble siding on the ground level floor. When i visited Midland and Odessa in the 90s, downtown Midland looked in rough shape. Now with fracking going on throughout west and south Texas, downtown Midland looks like its been brought back to life from what i remember.
I lived here in Midland Texas for 13 years now,I came from Detroit Michigan,it was a huge change and I still can't believe I live here lol but you learn to love it! Oil field brought me here 💰
Do you like living there? That's a huge change for sure, in almost every way. Coming from other Southern state, there wasn't much of a culture shock as far as settling down here in Central Texas, but coming from up north like yourself, I'm sure it's a hell of a transition. A few friends of mine who are originally from the rust belt region often complain about italian food, lack of true fall seasons, etc.
I'm really glad to find your channel. I'm a Texan & I appreciate what you're doing! I could tell you weren't from around these parts because of Hereford. It's pronounced (phonetically) Her-ferd... Keep up the great work
One thing I noticed, along the residential streets, in front of each house, there is painted on the street curb, Texas state flag, might be the each house number with flag. Around the 18:37 time frame
You are right. It's the number so the mail carrier or any delivery person can know what house it is. I live in odessa, and we have done that for as long as I've been alive.
I used to drive by Midland/Odessa when I was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, while visiting my relatives in Big Springs. Never actually stopped there.
I've been in midland for 11 years now and yes it s a big oil money town. The houses are modest but there are neighborhoods with beautiful massive homes, mansions really. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV so I was surprised when I found out that there are hidden neighborhoods with massive homes. The locals know what neighborhoods they are. During the holidays people drive around neighborhoods to watch Christmas lights because Christmas is a massive thing here and people go all out on decorations 👏🏻 it's very pretty
Don't forget about Tony's!!!!
@@doomplayer0423 The bakery?
Thanks for your positive outlook of Midland. It's greatly appreciated 😊👍🏽
@@mindibunch5232 yes the bakery
Been stuck out here for about the same time, did insulation work for a while and the biggest home I did was like 8,000sq-ft with a garage/barn the size of a small grocery store.. took like 9 hours.. that stuff down mockingbird are tiny compared to some of the stuff on the north side..
9 hours for the attics, took 3 days to do everything*.. you'd be suprised how many safe rooms and bunkers are here.
Recently discovered this channel, and what a breath of fresh air it is. Simple touring of towns without all the over produced, music laden nonsense. Subbed.
Thank you for that. 😃
I enjoy watching your videos about Texas cities and country sites. Thank you sir and be safe on your adventures.
Thank you, James!
I am related to half of Midland lol. You got to experience that good ol West Texas weather first hand. 80 degrees one day, 30 degrees and snowing the next day. But I love Midland. It's just a hour and ten minutes from Lubbock so it's a nice drive
When I lived there people used to tell me there was no way to get anywhere. Nonsense, I'd say. You can go anywhere in the world...just have to get to Dallas or Houston first.
@@mph7282 LMAO
Lived here all my life and I like it! It’s quiet but not like a small town kind. People that live here say there’s nothing to do but thank God we can always make money somehow some way to travel and have fun to see other places! We’re definitely hard working people here 💪
Im from the Dallas area, but i lived in Midland during the early 80s doing comstruction. It was booming! I loved every minute of living there. I still call it my adopted home town. "The sky's the limit in Midland Texas"
@@Nacalina007 that is true that's why I had to leave there in 1984 but it's still a good place
My wife is originally from Midland. My company is oilfield related & they asked me if I wanted to relocate there & work... more $$ of course.. I told my wife about it & she said "you'll have to go by yourself"... "I'm not going back to that dustbowl!!" LOL 😂
@@gearmeister I didn't mind the dust just reminded me of the real Texas
Midland cost a lot for housing now.🙂 Odessa too.☹️
@@Bob-hf1ol understood but Dallas is not cheap either. The people of Midland are great though
I grew up in Midland and Odessa. I live in Nashville now but this video brought back memories specially during christmas. Thanks.
That part of downtown is considered the “bad side of town.” It’s obviously still beautiful, but that’ll show you how much more there is in the rest of the city. It truly is a hidden gem. Downtown is great, but there’s so much more in the rest of the town
It is not either.
Downtown is not the bad side of town lmao
No it isn't.
I lived in Midland as a child in the late 1960s. My father worked for Shell Oil. Some of the happiest years of my life. I saw Luigis downtown! And I remember the Yucca theater. Thank you so much for this tour.
Likewise….the center of Permian basin where life was good growing up in 60s with George Bush jr and Laura Welsh not a marriage thing yet as it was Charles Younger ( across street from Bushes…the house was yellow in 60s) that got them together and also with golf at country club life and visiting Hap Sharp on the Chaparral race track with little crime and good disciplined schools, although tough beating Odessa Permian in football, and rabbit hunting with the guys. So yea…those were the happiest days so different from today it almost seems like twilight rough zone as compared to todays schools and such to Midland today.. with oil business going south due to liberal administration, 12:28 Midland and surrounding towns may be hard pressed to survive…sad, but we had our day in the Midland sun at it is to be remember…for sure.
I absolutely enjoyed growing up in Midland. For a city its size, it punches above its weight class. Great folks in the area too.
I'm a native of Midland. I cannot imagine why you thought it would be "rundown and decrepit". Makes me wonder if you are a Texan. Midland at one time in the 50's, 60's, etc. had the highest per capita income of any city in the USA. It'll be interesting to hear your demographic info on the Tall City in the Land of the High Sky.
Well I don't know if you intentionally stayed in "old" Midland around the downtown - but you missed entirely the newer residential areas which are MUCH nicer than what you showed. Midland is a good sized city and you hardly saw a tenth of it.
The last time I had been in Midland was the eighties. It was rundown then. I was surprised to see it wasn't when I saw it this time.
I intentionally stayed in the downtown area. This is a city downtown exploration channel. I'm there mostly for the unique architecture, but other things as well - artwork and murals, homelessness, is it clean, unique businesses and pubs, how many people live there and are they walking in the streets. I'm not interested in seeing generic suburbia or anything else outside the city core.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTripeven in the 90’s it was run down. Some people don’t remember.
Midland is a good place to live, if you can ignore 100 degrees Fahrenheit and also the dryness of the chihuahua dessert, also no fun and games here, because there's not an awful lot to do so it is boring.
When I got to Midland in 2018, it was fairly run down, downtown. A lot of boarded up windows and abandoned buildings. Things seem to get better when oil prices go up, along with rents getting higher. There are still parts of Midland that are run down. Don't kid yourself.
You didn't even show the rundown house/man camp I used to live at....
What a great video to start the day with. Thanks!
Thank you for that, Olin!
🤠 Hat's off to you. Thanks for a nice review on Midland. I lived in both Midland & in Odessa in my early 20's and I'm back living in Midland for my retirement years. 🙂
One of the best finds in 2022 , is your channel. I love all the videos. You do amazing work sharing your travels. I started with rural Texas and have joined you and your beloved wife on numerous travels around our amazing country. Thank you for sharing your video travel-journal. Love this channel!!!!
I have been in midland for over 18 years and to be honest this city has treat me so good , it’s a blessing to be part of this Petroleum industry
Thank you so much for this!! My son and I have driven the interstate back and forth from Tucson to Ft Worth when he went to U of A. I always told him that someday, I wanted us to take the time to see Midland. It’s almost impossible to imagine from the interstate that there’s really a town. I always commented that maybe there’s not one! Lol. You did it for me!! I love the city and everything you showed us. The Bar looked great as well as your food. Midland DOES exist and a thriving, successful city is there!!
Great comment, Denise! :)
What a beautiful impressive place
The Bar is as much an institution as anything in Midland. I lived there 13 years and it was around long before that and it's still the downtown "hot spot" another 13 years after I left. There's a definition division between the haves and have nots in Midland. There's a lot of Daddy's Money in town if you know what I mean.
If you would have asked a local we could have shown you where the much bigger neighborhoods are and the more upscale houses are located. Hope you come back and visit again. Definitely need to try some local food next time.
Native Midlander here.. now in Kansas.. Haven't seen that place in 21 years, thanks for the show!
1970's
I went to Alamo and Midland high school.
Thank you for watching, darksiede. :)
@@gahlmc Goddard & Lee high school for me.. and yeah, I've heard it ain't Lee any more..
@@darksiede "they" did same to Lee H.S. in Houston....unpersoned.
The Yucca Theater is a beautiful turn-of-the-century two story theater. It is home to Summer Mummers, one of the wildest live shows you'd ever see. The improv comedy shows are also a hoot.
Also Yuletide at the Yucca is a huge dance recital they have every December for Christmas! I danced in it when I was younger, very fun and festive!
Wow, the view at 9:40 is incredibly nostalgic for me; I had a multi-year internship for a drilling fluids company that worked out of the office directly behind this on the 2nd floor and my work area had a huge window looking directly this way, about 20 feet from where you were standing. It was a great experience tbh. I grew up in Midland but most people I meet haven't even heard of it before and I rarely ever hear about it outside local news, so it was cool to see these places that are so iconic to me from your perspective
The Tall City is a cool spot. Wild when the Permian is popping. Enjoyed my time there throughout the years. The Sun & wind hit different out there too.
Know a caterer in the area you should check out. Klassic Louisiana Catering!!! Hit them up. They will feed you!!! Great people.
Midland has always been in my mind as a money town. Rich in oil. All those homes might be modest but there's people with money in them. Awesome video! Never seen it in person but now I feel like I've been there!
I've been in midland for 11 years now and yes it s a big oil money town. The houses are modest but there are neighborhoods with beautiful massive homes, mansions really. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV so I was surprised when I found out that there are hidden neighborhoods with massive homes. The locals know what neighborhoods they are. During the holidays people drive around neighborhoods to watch Christmas lights because Christmas is a massive thing here and people go all out on decorations 👏🏻 it's very pretty
Bundle up, keep up the good work.
Love the history you provide, and the stats. It provides me, as a nomad, possible travel routes.
Awesome, Betty. :)
@@im_agine852 Yes I can but here I get a first hand visual as well. As a female that is a plus for safety concerns. Thanks for your input. 🖐🏼
I love watching the nomad life. 1 day I'll join.
@@geraldrodriguez1731 I'll look for you "on the road". 😊
Good job 👏 guys your videos are now part of my wake up call and it brings me back home for a while
I’m actually really excited to see this video this is my home born and raised appreciate the videos bud keep them coming
I was born & raised in Midland. Watching the oil boom change the city over the years was unreal. Not too much going on in the downtown area, though some of the surrounding areas are very nice. Love the channel, looking forward to the Odessa video!
Beautiful town, thanks for sharing this. I like the barn house, if the owner sees this you picked a great home in a town full of unique and wonderful homes.
Cool tour of Midland. Thank you for sharing.
I'm playing this while sitting in between Odessa and Midland working at my oilfield job. Lol
Hey glad to see you made it to us ❤ been following for awhile kinda weird to see your hometown through different eyes
Hi Guys. Me and the wife came across your channel and are completely hooked on your journey. It’s been fascinating watching and listening to your commentary. We’re especially enjoying the Wyoming and Colorado videos as we love the massive wide open spaces with crisp blue skies. We’re planning a road trip across the USA and will be using your recommendations.
My husband and I discovered your channel and enjoy the content very much since due to health issues we cannot
That is awesome, Alicia. I'm glad the two of you are watching. :)
Hey now! Killer channel brother! I really enjoy all of the historical data which you prepare for us viewers. Gives us a little glimpse of what it's like and the vibes of each place you visit. I can tell you love that lifestyle of road gypsy along with your ride or die Mrs. Lord Spoda as it shows through in your videos. Man, I love what you do and am so thankful to you for showing us all this footage from the US of A!!!
Cheers from Western Canada 🇨🇦
FYI Odessa is the step sister city lol 😆 Im a born n raised native Midlander and tho I appreciate you spending time in the south side( as that's where I grew up ) you really missed out on some very really beautiful areas of Midland. If you're wanting to make videos of Midland then you should do as a series to really capture all Midland has to offer. The population is actually 157K plus btw...if you decide to come back contact me and I'll be happy to guide you around and take you to lunch in the best hole in the wall in town. You went to THE Bar, way overrated but glad you enjoyed. Thanks n God Bless and Merry Christmas 🎄☃️
I have a friend that’s big in the oil business located in Midland. I’ve never been there but if he’s a indication of the people from there it’s a great friendly city. I’m very impressed.
What a lovely video. I grew up in Midland - not born, but spent the largest chunk of my childhood here. So many memories, especially with the Christmas decorations all put up in downtown. As a kid I never quite had to think about the stats and numbers, but I could practically SMELL that winter-chill air. Remember spending most every Christmas Eve driving around the city to see the biggest best Christmas lights, so many folks enjoyed the season to the hilt. It's almost painful to look at the house I lived in, since my grandmother passed and the family sold the place.
Thank you for such a wonderful look at a place I still love even decades later!
Midland has some great architecture. Love the Petroleum Building and theatre. Love the desert footage! Cool to see the Bush house! Thank you!
Great job as usual, fun to travel with you on this journey. 👏
Thank you, Jimmy!
Midland is okay,Love the Weather here and the Money is wonderful! Rent is very high. And food is high too.
Some of our businesses are going to close,Grams pharmacy and Long John's silver. Hate seeing all the old places go away.
Grams? Oooh that sucks.
Aww Long John's Silver closing too
I stayed overnight in Odessa/Midland when I was moving across the country. They had a very nice hotel out there, but the Odessa side was a bit rough around the edges. I'd certainly visit that area again if I were to pass that area again.
Sounds about right, Odessa is the rougher and worse part of the whole Midland-Odessa area.
You raise your kids in Midland and raise hell in Odessa
Always wind in West Texas!!!
Midland has a lot to offer. I have quite a bit of family there. The WWII air museum is neat. There are quite a few museum's there that are worth going to.
The air museum closed a few years back. Lost funding and I was told most of the exhibits moved to Dallas.
I am binge watching all these videos ! I'm glad I found this channel
That is awesome. ;)
Lord Spoda I have grown increasingly hooked on your videos. I would never get the chance to travel as you do but you have certainly widened my horizons. Thank you so much for all you do. Meanwhile I will travel with you no. matter where you go. I love your voice.
Wow, thank you, Carol!! :)
I love that you keep commenting on the wind. Haha welcome to Midland
Midland has multiple organizations that help the homeless. They have 3 meals a day during the week served by non-profits catered to helping the homeless.
I grew up in Midland and my husband & I started our family there. We got married in the same chapel as Laura & George W. The Yucca Theatre is, indeed, still in operation. It's home to Summer Mummers, which is the longest running live melodrama in the country. The New York Times did a write-up on it several years back. The saying goes, "Mummers is not something that can be explained; it must be experienced."
Midland is a place where one doesn't expect to find culture, but it's there. The Museum of the Southwest is housed in the Turner Mansion (which has its own dark history), and it boasts an impressive art collection.
Good video. I saw a few buildings where I used to work in the oil & gas industry, which was pretty cool. Looking forward to your review of Odessa. The two cities are quite different from one another. We always used to say you raise your babies in Midland, and your hell in Odessa. Lol...
Be safe out there!
My mom and her side of my family are from west Texas, Best people on planet Earth IMO. That may change in the future with transplants moving in but in the 1980s and 90s you couldn’t find better people on this planet. They were real people and I loved them and I wish everyone could be like they were
I spent my childhood in Midland and graduated from high school there. It was a pretty safe place to grow up but there’s not much in the way of entertainment or nightlife. I still go back to visit my family but I would never ever move back. Too dull and dusty!
I live here, lol. No wonder it was recommended to me. I have watched a few more of your Texas videos and absolutely love them. I am now subbed and eagerly awaiting more content.
I never heard of this channel but I seen midland tx where I live and been my whole life and instantly clicked 😂
Lol for real tho. I live in odessa and was like "ah damn. What did we do now" lol
Midland represent! Born and raised here. Not the most exciting place to live but definitely a good place to find work.
Don´t people leave their houses there maybe walking with dogs? Why are the streets so depressingly empty?
Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Australia.
I grew up outside San Angelo, Texas, thankyou for such a great video.
Welcome to Midland, glad you enjoyed your stay here! I'm happy the algorithm suggested your video, subbed
Very beautiful video.What a beautiful movie to start the day. I love Mindlat and Texas. I wish you a nice . Thank you very much for this beautiful video. God bless you in Mindland and throughout Texas.
Thank you for the kind words, Zuzanna!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip 👋 Merry Christmas in 2022.
Very interesting . Another great tour.
Thank you, Chris!!
I've been living in Midland for a few years now and I have to say that there's nothing else like it! We love our home sweet home!
Another excellent video Lord Spoda.
Thank you, Jonathon. :)
Midland, The Windy City of West Texas.
Grew up there from summer of 1960 to summer of 1970. Back then, a great place to ride a 🚲 bike. Enjoying your videos.
From Houston & travelled to Midland for work…loved every minute of it!
Great job! I made my visit there a few years ago. Saw the super petroleum museum…Watch that wind!
I just love that kind of bar. Last time a went USA I drank a beer in every bar I pass by on the streets. Just loved that kind of stuff. Every detail, every piece has a history and motivation to be on the wall. Everything is well cared and the food looks amazing! Congratulations for the video.
I think Texas overall is still growing. Towns like these will be populated soon. Nice video. Salute from Dallas TX!
Well since Earl muted my reply, Odessa is actually only about 30 miles, I used to live in Midland and attended UTPB where I got my Bachelors degree. With two small children I would not have driven 130 miles each day. You can't mute this one, Earl. And it is considered West Texas!
Haha Earl!!! I knew he’d show up some where
MIDLAND TX BABY !!! So glad you visited my area
Awesome video. The Bar, Krista is My favorite Bartender.
glad to hear from the audio that its still windy back home, and randomly cold.
Midland's airport was the first with regular air service in the nation to receive a federal commercial spaceport license.
I saw that it's called a spaceport. Interesting.
Loved this video. It was fun to see the Bush's home. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, Frank!!
Yo Spoda...good video as always brother & "THE BAR" was def my kind of dive to experience,the place looked really cool and the food looked great but what sold me on the place was the tunes brother!...that house was a rockin' my friend!....my kinda music!
I love watching you both eat dinner! I am just like “ the wifey” I can’t eat all my food and a to go box is needed. You should add more restaurant clips in with your videos. I enjoy seeing the local food. Like small diners and little bbq places were they cook their ribs and briskets. Thank you!
Yo this is where I’m from. My hometown, born & raised! I grew up in Midland in the 2000s and I have witnessed so much change during my lifetime when they tore down an old court house, right where you were standing in centennial park. And also, I remember the time when George W & Laura Bush flew over downtown Midland in Air Force One for the final time as president and came to speak that day! So many great memories.
I grew up there, too. I was living in Houston when the plans were announced to demolish the beautiful courthouse. It was such a shame. But before they did it, I made the trip back to town and shared a bottle of champagne on the courthouse steps with a dear friend. It was a bittersweet night, but I'm so glad I did it.
@@mindibunch5232 Cool, I bet those were fun memories to look back on! So where Midland is now, centennial park is a great place to not only hang out, but the city had moved the star spangled banner event from hogan park to centennial in downtown either last year or couple years ago, not too sure. And we just did the Christmas parade there this past Saturday night! That was a great time.
Thanks for the information on my hometown of midland/Odessa Tx
Really enjoyed your video. I have lived in Midland for over 28 years and planned to move back to my hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma in retirement, except all of my children have moved back to the Midland/Odessa area. I believe I will not be going anywhere, but will stay in Midland with family. My wife grew up in Odessa and most of her family lives in this area as well.
That is awesome. :)
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Wish we could have said "hello" when you were in Midland. My daughter and husband live in Odessa. He is the great eye doctor in Odessa. Wish you had more time in Midland to explore the sports fields in the Northwest and some of the big homes where the money is made in Midland. Somehow you overlooked these areas. Somewhat disappointing.
Enjoyed your guided tour of Midland! From the 1970s to about 2018 my wife and I made numerous visits "clear across Texas" to visit Odessa. Many of my wife's family members lived there. Occasionally we would get off of Interstate 20 and drive through Midland. Quite a difference between the two cities.
The plants at the beginning are yucca plants, not cacti.
As a midland-missouri transplant, this made me miss home and can’t wait to see what towns in MO you stop into.
My mother's family relocated from southern Illinois to Midland after World War 2. Her father was a preacher who supported his family by working as a broadcast engineer. In that capacity, he designed and constructed the transmitters for the first television station in Midland, KMID, which signed on in 1953. Grandpa worked with a then-weatherman at KMID who moved on to Hollywood to pursue a successful acting career: Edward Platt.
Super nice town. Loved the old homes and seeing the "President's Place'! Your meals looked so good .. especially paired with Jack Daniels! yum!!
Welcome to West Texas weather..I have lived in Odessa most of my life. It only pays that well if you are working the oil field. Bush was actually born in Odessa and moved to Midland as a young kid.
Cool video! I think you missed quite a bit of Midland though. I’ve been here 12 years and can say Midland definitely grows on one. Btw, it’s Theeeeee Bar. Happy New Year!
There are some beautiful neighborhoods in Midland. There’s a home on a property that takes up the whole block! There’s also some really nice homes hidden around downtown.
Traveling by Greyhound from Long Beach to South Carolina, i passed these towns along I-20..amazing how big is Texas...
Dennis here. Thanks. Midlanders have a pretty simple outlook on things. For instance, if you don't ALLOW homeless camps to crap up your city, there won't BE any homeless camps crapping up your city.
I hired in with Texas Instruments back in 1991 in Midland. You are correct in that it is a nice city. Coming from green South Texas, I was expecting a dusty western town but Midland surprised me. I saw so much commercial expansion in the short seven years I lived there before TI closed the plant and we were moved to Sherman Texas. Midlanders were awesome! Made alot of friends and memories there. As for that West Texas wind, it is always blowing from the west majority of the time. I had to adjust my golf game to play in that wind. Lol! Thank you for sharing!
I'm from this area. Since yall plan on going to Odessa, I HIGHLY recommend trying Tequeria Reynosa on the corner of University and N Grandview. The tacos quesadillas with bistec and those AMAZING beans our out of this world.
There was a guy around there who I knew back then named Billy Weir .... ask about him....nice guy.... played great
I was raised in Midland Texas I would love to someone to go down Main Street they consider mean all the new modern buildings on the outside of Main Street and no one ever shows Main Street
I lived in Midland for 3 months 30 years ago. When I had a 12 week contract there. I really enjoyed my time there. It really is a nice little city.
Welcome to Midland! You forgot to mention the book/movie “Friday Night Lights”. Safe travels!
I used to work for a company out of Odessa. I always thought both cities were pretty nice.
I was born in Odessa back in '81. my parents came from the Rio Grande Valley and followed job opportunities in the medical field towards the tail end of the of 70s oil boom. Odessa was known as a blue collar town where as Midland was known as the white collar city (reason why you see the skyline and none in Odessa) One of the downtown buildings that you showed i could of sworn was going to be demolished sometime this year. The Western United Life building, the one that had the marble siding on the ground level floor. When i visited Midland and Odessa in the 90s, downtown Midland looked in rough shape. Now with fracking going on throughout west and south Texas, downtown Midland looks like its been brought back to life from what i remember.
I lived here in Midland Texas for 13 years now,I came from Detroit Michigan,it was a huge change and I still can't believe I live here lol but you learn to love it! Oil field brought me here 💰
Do you like living there? That's a huge change for sure, in almost every way. Coming from other Southern state, there wasn't much of a culture shock as far as settling down here in Central Texas, but coming from up north like yourself, I'm sure it's a hell of a transition. A few friends of mine who are originally from the rust belt region often complain about italian food, lack of true fall seasons, etc.
I'm really glad to find your channel. I'm a Texan & I appreciate what you're doing! I could tell you weren't from around these parts because of Hereford. It's pronounced (phonetically) Her-ferd... Keep up the great work
Thank you! :)
He's definitely not a Texan!!!
One thing I noticed, along the residential streets, in front of each house, there is painted on the street curb, Texas state flag, might be the each house number with flag. Around the 18:37 time frame
You are right. It's the number so the mail carrier or any delivery person can know what house it is. I live in odessa, and we have done that for as long as I've been alive.
I used to drive by Midland/Odessa when I was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, while visiting my relatives in Big Springs. Never actually stopped there.
Pretty nice and clean.😃
The Eastern edge of the Thunderdome.....
Wonderful insight into Midland, thank you , your a talented host, and have a lovely wife.
Thank you, Buzz!!