I did work for the US Post Office in the midwest region; Handled Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. I literally worked in every one of these towns you showed. The state of dis-repair of the towns you are showing is happening everywhere, and these towns are in better shape then about half the ones I rolled through.

I bought my house in Cairo for $2100. Beautiful, historic home, needs some work, not staying there at the moment. There is a gas station at the Missouri end of the Cairo bridge. Gas tax significantly lower in MO so the gas stations in IL can't compete. Cairo's crime has dropped quite a bit since the two large projects were demolished. The building you mentioned as being the old grocery store was in fact a hardware store/home center. The customs house was built in the 1800s. There are two Dollar Generals in town and one motel. Yes, Mounds probably is worse than Cairo. Def more Detroit like. Enjoyed your video.

@Grootman

Жыл бұрын

2100US $ for a house? i live in South Africa and I am pretty sure there is not a house in my rural town that is as cheap as 2100, heck even a plain plot of land without any development goes for 50% more than that. Yes, a small yard. not much bigger or probably even smaller than the yards I seen at Cairo on this video. Shocking.

@ryangossett8211

Жыл бұрын

Have you started to fix it up yet? Or if you have already started, how long have you been working on it?

@heatherfulmore3412

Жыл бұрын

That house was really cheap. I hope that somebody can rebuild that place.

@theblacksheep5226

Жыл бұрын

@@Hannadayflo Yes $2100! I bought in at a sealed bid tax auction.

@theblacksheep5226

Жыл бұрын

@@ryangossett8211 I'd been working on it for 4-5 months until it was halfway livable. Had to move but plan on resuming work soon. Should be done by year's end.

For years we have been told our once great country has been squandered away to foreign countries. Seeing the pictures of the autopsy is still hard to watch. Thanks for what you do.

@Ahh1963

Жыл бұрын

John Rogers💯💯💯

@guenevreparis3933

Жыл бұрын

@@Ahh1963 rrfff

@gwensmith6

8 ай бұрын

This is happening throughout the US.

I’ve spent my whole life in Illinois, been everywhere from rockford down to Cairo and there’s beauty everywhere. It’s not one everyone can see but the ones who can appreciate it are the best.

@markrichards6863

Жыл бұрын

Never live in a state that's no on the ocean.

@rural_revivals

Жыл бұрын

@@markrichards6863 We may not have the ocean, but we have the great lakes that are inland seas.

@markrichards6863

Жыл бұрын

@@rural_revivals it's not the Ocean, therefore inferior, in my opinion.

@rural_revivals

Жыл бұрын

@@markrichards6863 Okay, happy you discovered having an opinion publicly.

@markrichards6863

Жыл бұрын

@@rural_revivals LOL, I've never lived more than 45 minutes away from the ocean. The Great Lakes are cool. I have found that there are health benefits to ocean water, provided that it's clean. Plus, fresh seafood is my favorite.

When I see the homes abandoned and neglected, I see, in my minds eye my cousins playing on green grass and running through sprinklers, playing ball, and eating watermelon. So many good days with family, now all gone into the mist of time

@leob4403

2 ай бұрын

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe: attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those... moments... will be lost in time, like... tears... in rain

I have always heard when churches start to close down in a town it means most of the town is pretty much nearing the end of it's time.

In reference to the incomes, I live in AZ and survive on $21k a year and that is after our raise in SS this year. You’d be surprised what you can do when you have to. I never planned this but health, death and age have all been a factor! Carry on, people! Love your videos! Helps me To cope in this clown 🤡 world!

@kmc1steelers998

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree 💯

So wierd that you never see any people walking around outside in these towns. I have experienced that myself in my travels.

@JasbirSingh-zj1fg

Жыл бұрын

Everyone has TV and internet now. The kids have video games. No need to go out.

@patriciaguenzler9150

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing that I believe that is what's wrong are world today no one can say hello kid's don't get too interact with others besides school schedule I did see one guy walking in mounds metropolis has many people

@LightoftheMoon

Жыл бұрын

​@@patriciaguenzler9150Metropolis also has a larger court complex to serve the Illinois police state industry

@peternagy-im4be

Жыл бұрын

​@Jasbir Singh it's a useless and weak society which is what they want

@TheMaggieMia

Жыл бұрын

Early Sunday morning in small towns can be very quiet downtown

I enjoyed your video. As a previous citizen of Joppa, however, I can assure you it's a sweet little village full of friendly people, without anyone from "Deliverance." Joppa once had the "richest" school district in Illinois in the 1960s/70s, but as the local plants (cement plant, electric plant, and natural gas company) shut down, the town has slowly grown smaller and smaller as people left to find work. The big gray house in Metropolis is apartments that are for rent...not sure what they're asking.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Fair enough, and you were gracious about the Deliverance remark. I will remove that from the video. :)

@pams9304

Жыл бұрын

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip How kind! Thank you!

@lonnybush5612

Жыл бұрын

I live in joppa for a short time in the 90s. But grew up outside of Grand Chain. Went to Century. Remember our basketball game at joppa in the 80s.

@barrypalmerjr.1661

Жыл бұрын

Dear Lord Sporta, I used to work were the rivers meet, alI rode the Gov. Jim Tug Boat and Sharon Kay and all those boats down there my granddaddy was Tom cat Palmer and he peddled fruit all up and down that road you're on right now I've been on every one of them real you been on I've been on every one of them Roads drunk and sober... All that was my old stomping ground that used to be driving back in the day I remember days just like a ghost town thanks for cruising through all these little places because I now live in St Petersburg Florida and it's quite a difference in the big city

@immune85

11 ай бұрын

Joppa seems exactly like the kind of place I dreamt about living in when I was younger. I still kind of do. I hope they bring it back to life, feels horrible to see a place like that just die.

I'm from Illinois. Many of these towns are dying out because of lack of innovation and re-investment. I think it was a result of a slow occurring change from river transport to rail to highways (each part played a role in its development, destruction and decline) Globalization was is another factor.. Chrysler had a plant in Evansville and they used the river to transport cars down south so when railroads came - Chrysler chose to move to Fenton MO. Illinois has some of the most fertile lands for farming and livestock. But nobody seems to realize and make investment. Most of the US is like that these days and I wonder how much longer we can hold out the way things are right now.

@somebodywatchin

7 ай бұрын

The Chinese are buying up land now.

@Nairobyi

7 ай бұрын

That will change within the next 3 years trust me. People are already moving back to the Midwest due to the land availability, low cost, global warming, and low crime in rural areas- especially compared to border states.

@burnerbuckingham3780

7 ай бұрын

@@Nairobyi Wouldn't say Illinois is any of that, maybe land availability

@hechla

7 ай бұрын

they drove people away because their attitudes haven't changed since the 40's. Illinois still have sundown towns

@hechla

7 ай бұрын

@@Nairobyi low crime? lol

Amazing how liquor stores always thrive. Even in feast or famine conditions.

Next, you can make a video about happy towns and cities in Illinois that are growing. Peoria is a perfect example. I moved here some years ago from California. Much happier here!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

6 ай бұрын

Fair enough. I actually prefer doing those kind of videos. Unfortunately, people don't want to watch them. I have done those kind of videos before; they're easy to find on my channel. They're the ones with the lowest views, sadly. That said, I really like doing those kind of videos, and I will visit your town. :)

@LoyalAsst

4 ай бұрын

​@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I think it's because it should be that way. We expect decent, thriving cities, towns. To see where someone grew up, and it now looks like a battlefield is startling. 😮

@tinamartinez1940

3 ай бұрын

Personally I prefer to watch the sad, dying and isolated cities because it’s nostalgic and makes me have sympathy for the less fortunate. I would like to think how fortunate we are, and so I don’t become numb to the sad decline in population to US states.

@Maren-pw4uj

3 ай бұрын

is it known where the people that leave go, statstically?

@Mr3devo3

Ай бұрын

Not sure what part of Peoria you are in everyday but the only thing growing in Peoria is crime and murder. Peoria is not a "happy town" 😂

I live in central IL, the state has so many dying cities. We have the 2nd highest property tax in USA and are taxed on top of tax, Businesses leaving. There is a lot to love about this state & it's all so sad.

@douglasthompson9482

Жыл бұрын

You live in the greatest area of the world…..God Bless you. Illinois will always be my home.

@jakestarr4718

Жыл бұрын

Its a wonderful police state full of gangs, crazy taxes and a corrupt senator. Its so terrible because rackets started being ran through zoning and assessment offices. But we do got a lot of nice rivers and creeks excluding the largest ones.

@waffles4393

Жыл бұрын

I live in Effingham, IL. I've lived in other states but I always come back to Illinois because it feels like home.

@guodzillakaiju5683

Жыл бұрын

Born & raised in Bloomington/Normal. I'd love to see a trip through McLean County in the summer!

@kentstevens1454

Жыл бұрын

what can you love if you are a republican conservative

Whenever I see these videos I can't help but think about how the United States is such a large country with plenty of space for people to live except for a community to really FLOURISH it needs more than just space to live, it needs good paying jobs in order for that community to do just that, flourish.

@markperrault5678

Жыл бұрын

If people keep voting. Democrat the towns will vanish

@id10t98

Жыл бұрын

@@markperrault5678 Your ignorance proceeds you into every room. Corporate Amerika and the 1% have had their taxes cut by more than 50% since the 1960's, so why havent they created good paying jobs to keep communities thriving? Given the tax cuts, the USA middle class should be double the size it was in the 1970's, not smaller.

@frankd.506

Жыл бұрын

​@@id10t98Exactly and thank you

@eddiesimms9301

Жыл бұрын

Equally IMPORTANT you need a Mayor along with a city council that UNDERSTANDS that raising TAXES along with creating BURDENSOME REGULATION'S which serves as another way to tax and SIPHON away one's LIBERTIES and FREEDOMS etc.....This is what causes business's to close and leave town or worst DISCOURAGE'S any new business from moving into the area.

@annajohnson3309

Жыл бұрын

@@id10t98 where do you live ? And what type of job do you have ? And are you a homeowner ? Our taxes on property went up and our electric bills went up gas for our vehicle went up and still rising . And the taxes that they take out of everyone paycheck is ridiculous . On top of all that is the amount of money that gets wasted on pet projects .this is the business close down a long with crime . not enough jails and cops either and nobody wants to work .

I have to admit, I am impressed with your driving skills. For someone to be able to take video pictures and drive as well as you do without drifting all over the place is impressive.

@ElectricThunder8

Жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing!

@luchiayoung

Жыл бұрын

You can video and put in the narrative later at home

@judyk217

4 ай бұрын

He probably has It mounted on the dashboard

I spent my childhood through young adulthood in a small village of 150 people in the central Illinois area. It was a farming community whose largest business was the grain elevator. As the children grew into adults, almost all left to attend college and/or find work in larger cities, me included. As the remaining population continued to age and die off, the population continued to shrink. Many of the houses have deteriorated like many in your video. It is heartbreaking to see the dying of your hometown.

@MrRdh567

Жыл бұрын

Same though the town was larger. Both sets of grandparents, my Dad and Mom and extended family go back 4 generations. The towns were Mazon, Verona, Seneca. Ransom...small farming communities. Same on the Grain Elevators. Due to the proximity of these towns to Chicago (50 miles south west) many subdivisions have been built for those seeking the burbs. My family moved out of Illinois in 1989. Have not looked back other than occasionally visiting family.

@crooster1

10 ай бұрын

Why are they dying?

@ADADEL1

7 ай бұрын

@@crooster1 Brain drain has people leave and almost no one wants to come back. Both because of lack of jobs and because it's really boring.

@robinbirdj743

7 ай бұрын

@@crooster1Kids leave at age 17/18 and the aging adults are poor. Once the population stops spending, and working, the town declines further. Those kids have taken the soul of the town with them .Plenty of these towns need to consolidate to have even basic services and thrive. People are too independent in the US!

@tianxiangxiong8223

7 ай бұрын

Why's it heartbreaking? You all did better things w/ your lives--moving to big cities, getting a college education, working in an office instead of doing hard labor in the fields. The town served its purpose, now it's time for it to go away like a butterfly's cocoon.

hey, Spoda. I really love how you don't immediately launch into "political-based" accusations, or laying of blame, unlike a LOT of similar KZreadrs. You videos are currently helping me to plan my next big roadtrip, so, thanks! Appreciate you.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. 😀

@MG2000MDPHD

Жыл бұрын

I love to see the country but can not travel, like you said we have a hate and accusations flying epidemic. Live and let live!

@WombleUK

Жыл бұрын

I know exactly who one of them KZreadrs is you're referring to & I have stopped watching his channel. By watching his channel your funding him & giving him a platform for his political bias.

@randomdude5938

Жыл бұрын

@@WombleUK nick whatever? Yeah he’s unwatchable. I told KZread to stop recommending him long ago.

@cosmictraveler1146

Жыл бұрын

@@WombleUK I think I know who you’re talking about I won’t name him but yeah after watching a video where he made a “joke” I just stopped watching him he got annoying quick

Man, it makes me angry to see America in this kind of shape. Your vids are an eye opener. How do you keep your composure? I want to scream at our damned politicians!!!

@marklin4693

Жыл бұрын

Politicians are only partly at fault. Mostly because a certain foreign power has been waging economic warfare against the West for the past three decades. No one alone can fix this, everyone has to sit down together and study hard and do the math to get out of this.

@ItsReallyJackBlack

Жыл бұрын

Chicago Democrats runs state politics in Illinois. Downstate Illinois is forgotten and not represented. The crooked politicians just rob the citizens money.

@pauls3204

Жыл бұрын

By America you of course mean the USA don’t you ? America is a continent don’t you know ?

@andreamellon3025

Жыл бұрын

@@pauls3204 yes the USA !!!!! America!!!!!!!!!!

@denniswidles9502

Жыл бұрын

Thank bill clinton signing off on"NAFTA economic nail

It's always great when one of your new videos appears, I know it's going to be awesome !! Always so interesting, and I love exploring new places. Thanks so much for all the time and research you put in for these videos. Very much appreciated.😊

Wow, Cairo, IL. When your town is surrounded by flood walls, it's like living in a shallow box...never seeing the horizon. I bet that's part of the reason people left.

@dangabor8585

4 ай бұрын

Cairo died because of the black gangs that infiltrated the town in the '60's.

Instant subscriber here. Some KZreadrs just show visuals with music but you have done extensive research of these towns. It's very enjoyable to watch (as well as educational).

Crossed that bridge many times driving an 18 wheeler. Used to go to Cairo and pick up loads of lumber in a container to be shipped overseas. Cairo is a sad town.

Great job always. Thank you so much for your hard work. All the best to you and your wife.

I love the way every video starts with 'Alight everybody". Went thru and liked all your road trip videos for you. Hope that helps the algorithm!. Watched all of them but I had forgotten to click that like button. 👍

I love Cairo Illinois!! I've been fascinated with the city if you can call it that anymore for quite sometime. It's got an interesting and sad history and some beautiful architecture which is fast fading. It's very sad to see these buildings go like that, I wish I could start a non profit to fix a lot of these building that are endangered. Anyways another awesome video and thank you for everything you do!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

I find it really interesting as well. 😀

@aircooledhead

Жыл бұрын

I’m a truck driver and travel that exact route (no side streets) 2-3 times/month. The crime rate is low in Cario because there is nothing and almost nobody there. But I have seen more signs of life lately. There is a lot of potential potential there, but jobs have to come nearby to realize it.

@jjwintrs

11 ай бұрын

​@Robert Spence ahhh...and good luck getting flood insurance these days. 😢

I grew up between two small towns in Illinois and attended high school in Highland IL. I recommend you do a video about Highland. It is a gem.

Always look forward to watching your videos especially the small town ones as that is what my husband and I love to drive through rural mn and can’t wait to do it when we retire thanks for another great one

Been born and raised in Rockford but ready to bail out of Illinois! Governor had raised taxes so many times and taxed the hell out of people for any and everything possible and crime running rampant in Chicago has ran 100yr companies out. If I'm correct Illinois is either first or second behind California in people fleeing the state for relief.

@heatherfulmore3412

Жыл бұрын

I couldn't live in Illinois. My classmate said that her town is full of corruption. She lives in Bourbonnais.

@heatherfulmore3412

Жыл бұрын

I sawl that picture of that neighborhood. It looks better than some other places. They let that whole state run down.

@nelsonmcatee3721

Жыл бұрын

@@heatherfulmore3412 practically the whole state is full of corruption.

@evanwalton7138

Жыл бұрын

Heather i live a town over from there you are correct!

@jcastle2620

Жыл бұрын

I was born and raised in Chicago and I’ll be 40 soon. Everything has gotten so expensive and less responsive. We’re paying more for higher crime and destroyed infrastructure and potholes. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

It's not just happening in Illinois, it's happening everywhere. Remember that series where they went in and fixed up a lot of small town? I read they wanted to do a follow up, except most of the towns featured in the series are now abandoned.

@gamesthatiplay9083

7 ай бұрын

A lot of the remake businesses, or homes end up being sold within a year. Kitchen Nightmare is a good example demonstrating this phenomenon.

Always enjoy watching LS and the info you provide is awesome, really interesting. 👍

Thanks for showing us America!

Your travel logs are fascinating! Thank you!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

Thank you for your excellent work. Keep it up.

Thank you for showing towns I have never heard of, like Joppa. It's a shame these towns are falling apart.

I love your KZread channel, and the exploration of old homes and buildings. Brings back memories of Port Arthur Texas in 1989, I love seeing old abandoned houses and buildings. 👍👍👍👍

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Southern illinois is one of the most beautiful places in the country. From Mt.Vernon To Cairo

@nelsonmcatee3721

Жыл бұрын

Mt Vernon south of Broadway and east of 27th street looks like a war zone. And it definitely isn't safe.

@tomnorris3060

Жыл бұрын

@@nelsonmcatee3721 I grew up on 27th and cherry other southeast corner next to the bike shop.from 24 st east is still generally a good area bc the majority are elderly homeowners who don't like outside renters.if you want a lil southern illinois history you should look up my grandpa Lucky Leroy Marvel.

Ever since the KZread algorithm put your first Cairo, IL video in my feed, I've been hooked! Just Love your videos. Thanks for showing a place Google hasn't been, and SUPER thanks for the Metropolis tour.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you!

The stormy day here in Ft Worth has brightened because I got to spend this car trip with you. My heart aches for Joppa. My goodness… all those homes abandoned. I think about how full of life they once were. Metropolis is so interesting. I love the Superman statue and also the one of Big John. His statue intrigued me. I have a fascination with statues. I haven’t been anywhere but Chicago in Illinois. Now, I can say I have been… thanks to you! Love to you and Nicole always. She and I would have been cold. God bless… take care, both of you

Love bridges & fountains whilst traveling,ur work made me feel like I was there,👍🏻👍🏻,pray these towns/cities come back to life.,,shoutout to the wifey✌🏻💕

I just subscribed. I like the way you do this. I feel like I'm on an adventurous road trip! Thanks!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

I have enjoyed this one immensely. When I was a kid, I commuted through all of these towns weekly from Sikeston mo to Paducah KY. It touches my family roots! Thank you for the documentation of the river valley! 👌

I remember Nick Johnson and you filmed Cairo before thanks for sharing your journey appreciate it

the map location is helpful, thanks for showing. appreciate your coverage and minimalist commentary

Cairo has a sad history of both racial strife and terrible floods. I drove through there in 1996 and it really wasn’t to bad. I drove through again in 2013 and was shocked at the change. I live outside of Chicago so I don’t get down that way often.

@LightoftheMoon

Жыл бұрын

Oh, my that history! It really IS sad including the epic racism The flooding was terrifying, too~😢

@franbell7767

Жыл бұрын

I knew about the racism but as he kept driving, it occurred to me that something else catastrophic must have happened. I'm thinking catastrophic floods. Not just one time but consistent flooding over the years. I'd leave too.

@johnmccree8941

Жыл бұрын

So. Illinois has some beautiful country... God's country some call it in areas. Garden of the God's in one. But... Illinois itself S_U_C_K _S.

@iceink

11 ай бұрын

god punishes these people for some evil

@hechla

7 ай бұрын

@@franbell7767 pretty sure most of the people have hooded robes in their closets

The mechanization of farm equipment has killed several small farming towns. You can take oneachine with one operator and do the work of 5 older pieces of equipment.

I’ve only recently found your channel and have been binging on yiur videos. I live in the U.K. and have found them a real eye opener. My perception of the USA from what I’ve seen in movies and tv shows is that it’s a very rich country with palacios homes. Wow how wrong was I. I can’t believe the poverty I’m seeing. It truly saddens me to see all these beautiful abandoned homes in so many places, especially when in some of your videos we see people living on the streets. We have our share of homeless here too but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this. It’s so very sad.

@dreckken

Жыл бұрын

Our Liberal Democrats have caused all this. There is no work anywhere, it's all been sent overseas.

@leob4403

2 ай бұрын

Yeah a lot of US cities I thought were so cool and I built up this fantasy in my head when I was a kid watching NFL and NBA, having seen them now in videos as these endless grid based freeways with giant parking lots and generic suburbia, I'm not so keen on going there anymore 😅

My family is in Streator…. I love small town America. God Bless them all. Nothing is better.

@wesawebi

4 ай бұрын

I am from Dwight, small world, now live in Tn.

If love to visit so these places. Fascinating and love your narrative. Thank you .Jo

I remember crossing that bridge at 1 o clock in the morning in the rain. That was a adventure, especially when you are in a old car with the dash board lit up with all the warning lights 😂

My husband and I both born and raised in the Land of Lincoln. Central Illinois is small town America💕 Love your videos!

kayro? Kyro? Those "Stop and Shop" stores...my Cajun wife calls them "Stop and Rob." At around 20:20 you show a disintegrating home with a large full-leaved tree on one side and a huge pink and white flowering tree on the other side; extremely evocative...I could feel the trees living on while the humans who lived there and loved to see those trees gone like smoke in the wind. It was sad. I wondered if the trees missed them. You mentioned T-shirts; that would be a great graphic. I think that old green car in front of the Superman Museum is the same as shown on Superman comic Issue # 1.

I"m surprised you didn't visit any of the ancient Indian mounds in that area. Fascinating history!

New To Your Channel, I Was Born In Illinois And I Would Never Move Back!

This was great! I loved seeing Joppa. It's sad to see all the broken down homes, but it definitely tells a story about a part of the US very few get to visit.

Great vids, so fun to watch. This time of year has very few colors. Everything is sooo drab.

You missed what might have been the most tragically misnamed place of all, just right outside the big Subway gate at Cairo…Future City! I never understood why they established it on the wrong side of the levee to begin with, never mind such a name. I live in the Ozarks, relatives in suburban Atlanta, so I’ve driven through Cairo many times coming and going both. Always a highlight, but a bit sad and grim as well. For a cool view, drive down into Fort Defiance all the way to the end of the road at the very tip of Illinois and then walk the rest of the way through the rocks (careful, watch the ankles!) to the water’s edge and just stand or sit there and watch the river traffic as it goes by, day and night both. Then look over to the trees and that building (gauge house perhaps?) and imagine the water as high as that, easily thirty or even forty feet over your head and you start to get an idea of just how much water we’re talking about when the rivers are in full flood.

Hi from Atlantic Canada, your enthusiasm is contagious Nic. It is wonderful to live vicariously through your travels seeing these fascinating small towns. It is something I always wanted to do when I retired, to travel allover USA and explore. I wonder if there would be any interest in doing this same thing here, many unique East Coast towns allover in these here parts. My Gran was from Decorah Iowa and loving the USA comes naturally for me. Keep up the good work, you are making this here Senior Ma very happy and well entertained. Wendy

In the first town after crossing the bridge. passing through Downtown and seeing the lack of, the abandoned grocery store and then you made the left turn to show the home's/house's while sharing home values. When I saw many house's collapsed on to themselves my thoughts were yelp it looks and feels a lot like the former but still Detroit. Which I'm am so looking forward to leaving again. Thanks for Sharing 🎈👈🏿😎

thanks joe very interesting video as usual

I really appreciate your videos. It's helping to give me ideas of places I would like to go explore and places that I would rather avoid lol

@lem01ne

Жыл бұрын

I also greatly appreciate Australian Siri!

Nice bridge into Illinois. Lovely river views. Some great homes on Mound City. Stark contrast to Mounds. Metropolis looks like a nice place to visit. Big John is certainly welcoming! Thank you for another great video. I do follow you on IG 😊.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Cool! 😀👍

@AnnaAbney

Жыл бұрын

Big johns is more photographed than the superman statue

When I was a kid, we visited my grandmother in Tamms. Cairo was a big thing. We’d take grandma shopping and visit dads uncle. I’ve been to church camp in Elcho, been across the really skinny bridge going into Cape Gerardo MO. Chester, Illinois the home of Popeye. So many old memories. Been to so many of those small towns. And a trip to Horseshoe Lake was a must.

Lord Spoda, Thanks for taking the time to tour the small towns in Little Egypt. Please be careful in your travels because of a lack of Trauma Centers... If your in Wreck or Heart Attack, Stroke it takes to long to get to the Hospital. And I remember when 9/11 happened they burned a Pakistani Doctor Office, made no sense severe shortage of Medical Doctors. It's like going backwards in Southern Illinois.

@alanwilhite7034

Жыл бұрын

Yes, my aunt died in an ambulance traveling a great distance to get to a hospital.

@LightoftheMoon

Жыл бұрын

Hear, hear. Great advice!

@JTR253

Жыл бұрын

It is pretty stupid about the doctor's office. I wouldn't be surprised as this place is more southern than Midwest as 45 gets yuge crowds in Southern illinois. He can't even imagine that in the populated parts of Illinois.

Another interesting ride to see the difference between cities , states , enjoyable!!

You missed the old Massac theatre in metropolis, less than 200 yds from statue. Old art deco styling. Post office next to it is an art deco masterpiece. Superman festival is June 9-11...Huge Veteran cemetery in Mound City. The old Irvin Cobb bridge connecting Brookport & Paducah is more fascinating than the Kentucky to Illinois bridge. You should make a return...thanks!

Love traveling with you seeing towns ive never knew exists

Great new video! I will be looking forward to you coming to Viroqua, WI

I love watching your videos. How you show every culture and the history. I found myself going to google maps and finding the towns and zooming in. Lol.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome! I love that. 😁

My dad worked at the power plant in Joppa for about 23 years before they shut it down. Totally sad. Next time you should checkout Golconda. I lived in Southern Illinois for years and you were the one that taught me Cairo had a Millionaire's Row. Great video!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Cool!

Love your videos. From Illinois haven't been down to the southern parts

Another good one Joe, thanks.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

I love your channel . i am a long time subscriber. ive been with you since near the beginning. i live in Louisiana and am one of the people that recommended Best stop grocery in Scott La near Lafayette. You are making videos of places that i would like to visit but will never be able to. i am disabled for 17+ years and am only 59 now. Yep i was making real good money for 14 years and my knees went out at 42 y/o. i now live on 1/6 or 1/8 of what i would be making. Enough of that. Thanks for your efforts. Safe travels.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Oh, cool! Yes, you're why I went there in Lafayette. It was a great tip. :)

Yet again, following in the footsteps of the old Jim and Huck Finn (Cairo reminds me how they missed it in the dark). I must say I'd never imagined this sorts of dilapidated ghost towns in the heart of the old states, really strange to see that happening. Great journey! thank you.

Thank for your film. I grew up in southern Illinois, Belleville, and loved taking drives further south in the state. I can no longer do that so you bring back memories. In the fall there was something so comforting about stopping at a little local restaurant for comfort food in on long drive,

Fascinating stuff! I'm looking forward to the Gary, IN video. My mother grew up there in the 1940's.

Your videos are so informative and fact driven. Really shows what real life is actually about. 😢 Disappointment and heartbreaking but spots of hopefulness. I don’t think anyone likes seeing such poverty and despair. Like it or not then you have such spots of beauty. Wow after watching my being is rattled. Then you show us Superman and Lois Lane 😁👏Again thank you and your wife for sharing your experience. Even though your wife has been absent I know she is a force in your life and work.❤️

Love the videos, thanks for uploading. So sad to see these sprawling ghost towns. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. It seems like there are only ten people living in each, and they are the ones driving cars! Makes it all the more surprising when you run the stats like crime rate and earnings; the crime one surprises me as there’s no one to be seen. I live in London, England. and am shocked how many people live here. You can’t move for people; crime and congestion are overwhelming, and prices, especially houses, are astronomical.

Love your videos!

Thank You for the trip. So sad.

Wow! I used to travel through Cairo 1 or 2 times per year back in the 70s and it was a very nice place.

Ghost towns where even ghosts do not live there. So sad... really sad.

Thanks a lot for this video ❤❤❤❤ I love it!!!!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome 😊

Thank you for the guided tour.

Could you add a couple 5 second shots to show the scenery between the towns please? I feel like that would give an even better idea of what life is like there

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

It’s a good idea. I’ll start doing it.

@LethalGuy1231

Жыл бұрын

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip thank you! :)

Hey, I've driven over that bridge in the beginning of the video! The park at the confluence is really neat where you can stand on the shore and see the line where the two different-colored waters meet. At 7:52, on the left there's cool mural of the Civil War gun boat Cairo (which is on display in Vicksburg--definitely worth a visit!) Now that you've visited Superman's hometown, maybe a trip to James T. Kirk's birthplace in Riverside IA is in order?

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! This summer. 😀

Great video....thanks

Thanks, enjoyed a lot... kept me sober for awhile 😂😂 really enjoyed 👍

I remembered your last video about "Care-o". There's a documentary about the area called "Between Two Rivers" which I'm watching now. I found it interesting your comment about the condition of the church in one of those towns. I noticed the same thing while driving around myself. Seems like some towns that are no bigger than a speck will have at least 3 immaculately kept churches along the country road, and no matter what kind of disrepair the town is in, somehow the parishioners find the means to keep the churches looking spiffy. In some of places I've been through the only thing that is not crumbling is the church and the Dollar General.

@loboblue5441

Жыл бұрын

It's called "Divine Intervention".

@cjdrinkh2033

11 ай бұрын

Strange isn't it how that works a town decaying away but there on the hill is the pristine illusion that it's going to be ok just gotta make that donation so he will hear you better

Another great video. Your videos have made me research my city and I found out the crime rate is 28 per 1000. I never knew that. Makes me want to do more research. Thank you.

Very informative and interesting 👍 thank you for your journey with Us amazing thanks 👍

Thanks, Joe!!

Some of the warmer small towns that you video I'd love to dream of moving to. I'm from outside a small town in the Province of New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦. I sure wouldn't want to move near a city at all!!! You do tell statistics which I love. Even better when you mention the types of stores we need for everyday life like groceries and maybe a dollar store or somewhere to buy gas, clothing for everyday or small gifts for birthdays etc. Maybe how far to the nearest hospital or doctor office would be helpful too.

My grandmother birthplace was Cairo,WV,6'4 CHEROKEE INDIAN...ONE SPECTACULAR WOMAN,RIP😓🙏🧖💟💟💙💙💜💜💕🛐

Cairo Illinois here I come! Great video

I live in illinois. Travel often on road trips I patronize old towns & and their businesses. I've never seen anything like these towns, in illinois. Such poverty and decay. Truly looks like detroit. So very sad that these homes, businesses and towns couldn't of been saved. Thank you for your video.

Pink and white blossoms in some of the trees already. Fascinated by the massive, mechanized flood wall gate in Cairo. Surprised to see a Stop & Shop supermarket, a staple in New England, in Mounds, Illinois. (I'm sure it's the same company because it has the ampersand in its distinct logo.) Loved seeing that emerald green '55 Chevy in Metropolis. Chuckled at the black cat, hesitating at first, then scooting across the road. Another memorable video.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. I’ve never heard of Stop & Shop and thought it was a one off until I saw another one in Springfield (Illinois).

@LightoftheMoon

Жыл бұрын

There's been some terrifying floods in Cairo over the years. There's always the possibility of an epic one. I really hope they have maintained that flood gate~

Thanx for the tour. Back to metropolis…… 23,700.00 dollars per capita is 450.00 a week Once taxes and insurance and whatever else is taken out they are left with around 250.00 dollars a week to eke by on. The town looks to be good economically. These people must have really good values.

a great post again Lord Spada,greetings from Scotland UK

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, blade!

Love your videos! I find them fascinating! I live in California and have yet to visit the East coast.

We watched in total amazement at all them run down homes. really makes you wonder how did that happen. great video...deliverance vibe???? was hilarious...........

@LightoftheMoon

Жыл бұрын

You may be surprised to know that northern states also have a deliverance vibe to them as well. The US really ais dying empire. More than half of America population makes less than 35K now ~