TEXAS/MEXICO Border Towns Drive: The CRAZY Things I Saw Between McAllen And Falcon Lake 

Cool report. I lived in Tucson, Arizona, back in the '60s. We used to go down to Nogales all the time and Mexicans came into Tucson all the time. If you got away from the road there wasn't even any border fence. People walked back and forth whenever they needed to. No big deal. I spoke Spanish as did many of my fellow Americans in the area. We got along just fine and I had many delicious meals in Mexican homes. Wonderful people who would give you the shirt off their back.

I lived in Starr County for 10 years 1950-1960. So much history that you by passed. The Rio was navigable during the 1800s with steamboat traffic from Brownsville to Roma and maybe Zapata.. I fished and camped out at Facon on "both sides" the dam was built while I lived there and was opened by President Eisenhower.

Espero q entiendan mi lenguaje español yo tengo 45añis de vivir aqui en el valle soy de Reymosa cruzando la frontera y q bueno q nos toman en cuenta porq pareciera q estamos olvidados nuestros pueblitos son chicos pero muy acogedores con gente buena y trabajadora gad tenemos todo para sobrevivir y si aqui se da muncho la cazeria de inmigrantes masxq en estados grandes pero igual cada quien hace su trabajo y se puede decir llevamos una vida tranquila y bien venidos todos quienes vengan a conocer la vida del RGV

The horse is an earth friendly lawn mower he will graze on what can be eaten and they will move him.

This was GREAT! Thank you so much I have always wanted to go down that way to wander.

Very cool video. It struck me how far south you were

I used to live in penitas back in the early 70s. We used to ride our bikes along the border until border patrol would run us off..Used to live next to the blue house next to the railroad tracks(9:08). Good times and great memories. Thanks for sharing the video.

The next time you enter an old church look up, be amazed if you are looking up at an upsidedown boat!

Excellent video.! I used to drive truck to the border between Brownsville, TX and Nogales, AZ and I'd always tell people that never been that whatever they picture in their mind about what the border looks like they were completely wrong. There are more things out there that raise questions without answers such as a horse tied up in the middle of nowhere

I’m from Rio Grande City ,23:10 on the left hand side there’s Che’s was an old hotel/ like tour area they have great country fried steaks, quiet little small town love the video

i live in harlingen and i always get sad looking at these towns and why they just get forgotten.

I would love love love to have a shallow water row boat and just coast down that beautiful river and live on that river for days and weeks - fishing, relaxing, exploring.

Thank you for the great tour. Very interesting for sure.

Always a good time riding with ya .

Thank you Mr. Spoda for taking us on the tour of our country. It’s surprised me that so many of these small towns are almost completely abandon. Poverty level are so high that almost like third world countries, and that’s a crying shamed. Now, it’s amazing that our border is so very close to Mexico, and as simple as walk across the river and there you are in other country. Wow!!

As a native of the Rio Grande, I suppose I should tell you why law enforcement and servicemen seemed suspicious while you were taking those border roads. Trafficking of drugs and people along the border is an unfortunate reality of our proximity to Mexico, and those traffickers require intelligence on what roads to avoid and when. Despite that, I want to stress that we are very safe down here. We've got ample US Customs and Border Patrol Agents, National Guard, Texas Guard, many Police Forces, Sheriffs, Game Wardens, State Troopers, the DEA and DHS and MORE to ensure our safety. Also, I would've liked to see McAllen, or any of the other several larger cities. McAllen has a population of 150,000 alone. Nice video!

In Los Ébanos there’s a ferry that crosses cars from the US side to the Mexican side known as Dias Ordaz..people use the ferry to travel back and forth..it was very popular before the big bridges started getting modernized..my father lived many years in the last little White House to the right hand side right before you get to the ferry.. To the left there was an old western store where people would stop and have a drink when crossing to and from..It looked like the ones from the western movies🤠in the ghost towns..At one point a lot of tourist would visit Los Ébanos..the owner of the store had a lioness in a cage for show

I was a truck driver all my life.i truly appreciate all your videos.i was surprised to see Cairo Illinois so dead i use to drive thru there many times but then the new bridge and the new interstate 57 i no longer had to go through Cairo.i think what killed that town was the deviation of traffic.just like many towns that supper highways took all the bussines out.

Great video your a brave man

There's a very old graveyard from the 17 or 1800s close by. Never been there but I've seen it in videos

Hope you are packing when you go into some of these areas! It’s very interesting to see along the border.

Wow’ that’s nice I was born in Donna, and have family in brownville .

Thank you so much for sharing your video. That is interesting town to see.

If you went the opposite way you would be able to go to space x, see the rockets that are 40ft away, & free beach. It’s in boca chica near Brownsville

Thank you for a very nice and cool report... kEEP DOING THIS OVER AND OVER...

You missed the ferry in Los Ebanos.. you were so close to it.. ..... The Los Ebanos Ferry or El Chalán, formally known as the Los Ebanos-Diaz Ordaz Ferry, is a hand-operated cable ferry that travels across the Rio Grande between Los Ebanos, Texas, and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas. It is the last of its kind along the entire stretch of the Rio Grande

Before all the drug wars Los Ebonos used to be a water crossing into Mexico on a small rope-pulled barge, maybe 10 by 10. Now US has built a fully operational border crossing facility...sad to see the old ways go like they have...

Great video, keep it up. Give us a tour of rural USs.

If you go southern of houston, you'll see many small towns make up a city/community towards matamoros.

beautiful place. I was there a few weeks ago. sure is hot inside the capilla. a few hundred feet is that horrible border wall. no helicopters, when I visited. only a crop duster

Interesting. Thank you for the ride. 😃👍

Somehow I thought the Rio would be……more. You certainly caught the attention of the border patrol in a quick hurry! And here I’ve always thought you have an innocent face! 😃😂 Given what goes on around there, I can’t imagine ANY reason to spend time in those border towns. Hey, what a great job Trump did on that fence, didn’t he?! Boy howdy, NO ONE will be able to get over THAT without at least some heavy machinery. 🙄 GREAT drive-along, my friend!! Thanks for takin’ me along, but I’ve gotta say, I wish you’d stop for lunch sometime! I’ll bet the food along there is delicious!!! LOVE that Mexican cuisine! This gave a very good view of the kind of areas areas to be found down there. Thanks so much!! Stay safe out there please! The world would be a much sadder place without you in it.

hey i actually live here in rio grande nice to see our home town on youtube!!!

The aerostats (blimps) along the border are not Border Patrol assets, but US Air Force.

The city in the Mexican city called Miguel Alemán Tamaulipas

I'm pretty sure I'd been questioned a time or two by the end of the day if it had been me in your shoes. Lol I used to bike from the intersection of Hwy. 281 and Military Rd. (Las Milpas area) to Brownsville TX. on any given Sunday back when I was in High School. Most of my trip was on that dirt burm you probably seen just south of the Old Military Highway. The last time I drove that stretch there were representatives of pretty much all Law Enforcement Branches from, the obvious, border patrol, US Customs and the not so obvious like state troopers, sheriff's DEA and National Guard. I might try biking that stretch one of these again sometime soon, but now I'm in my 50's though might take me a Sat. and a Sunday to get it done. Lol 😁 Thank you for taking me back to a more peaceful time along the Rio Grande Valley border. 🙏 😎 ❤ Deeply Love all those old churches, old buildings and it's closely knit relationship with Texas/Mexican history and culture. 👍🙏❤ 😎

I am from Rio Grande City 😁

I moved to McAllen/Mission 8 and a half years ago (Originally from Ohio/Michigan) and over the years I just laugh at the perception my family up north have of this area. I love it here for a lot of reasons. I'll never move back up north. I enjoyed your video.

I loved that you drove through Salineno!!! My grandfather was born there in 1932 and he is buried there along with all of his ancestors! My great great great grandfather, Valentin Chapa, was born there in 1831, when Texas was still part of Mexico. My grandmother would tell us stories of how they would bathe when she was little in the Rio Grande in that exact same spot that you stood at.

I live about 15 minutes from McAllen, thanks for representing the Mexican-American culture here, showing that we really aren’t what the media portrays us to be c:

LOVE HOW YOU EXPOSE MY HOUSE WITH NO FOUNDATION, not the best looking house but its paid off

I'm sure that everyone watching these videos is waaay too young to understand what the name Del Rio means to anyone who grew up in the 60s or for that matter anyone around in the 50s, 40s, 30s. I speak of Border Radio. Before Spotify and car CDs people actually listened to radio and before album oriented rock became common on FM it was AM radio. As there were no limits on a radio station's power in Mexico several American entrepeneurs built super powerful radio stations just across the border, the most famous being XERA in Ciuded Acuna. Their signal was so powerful that they could be heard as far as New York, Chicago, and west into the mountains. In later years (1960s) they were the home of radio personalities such as Wolfman Jack who played rock that commerical radio did not play. One of the biggest contributions was the spread of country music to a wider audience. In the early days radio station had live performances as well as playing records and stars of the day flocked to Del Rio from there the commuted across the river to sing in the studio. For a short time before there was a Nashville, Nashville was in Del Rio.

Hello from Moscow! Those villages look just like the ones you can find in Russia. Except, there are palms instead of birch trees. Amazing! Like your video.

Roma native here, the observation deck overlooking the Rio Grande was built by my uncle. Im really glad you've taken the time to showcase the Rio Grande Valley

You were being watched constantly. Either by camera, drone or binoculars plus motion sensors. You just didn't notice They absolutely knew who you were and deemed you a low threat after running your plates to see who you were so left you alone.

Border? What border? There's still a border?

I dunno why RU-vid showed me this channel. I'm in the UK (for my sins) but I am finding wandering round Texas ghost towns and border crossings strangely compelling.

When I go on vacation this is exactly what I do. I want to see areas that are off the beaten path, not the advertised tourist areas. It can be a little dangerous driving in the unknown areas but it's what I call fun. Driving around with you was a real gas! Thanks for the ride!

Hello, I live in Africa and I must say that this is what we never see in our media and movies . A coin has two sides and its good that we see the other side of America. You do a great job, thank you

That side trip paradise you found is called Salineño, the place you drove up too and put your hand in the Rio is the Salineño Wildlife Preserve. People rent out their horses out here to cut the grass. they tie them off and allow them to graze. its popular just south of San Antonio, you'll see it in Poteet and all the small towns in the area.

Military Hwy was named for the Calvary that would ride horseback in the 1800's along the Rio Grande. They would travel between Ft Brown (Brownsville) , Ft Ringgold (Rio Grande City) and Ft McIntosh (in Laredo). All forts are still there today.

In Los Ébanos you missed the opportunity to see the only hand operated ferry crossing into Mexico. I would love to see Rio Grande City invest on preserving their old historic buildings. Many date back to before the Civil War and to a time where the Rio Grande River was a lot closer to where it is today.

I love your videos, as an Australian it’s just so very interesting.. Love the huge streets and old buildings in those old towns..

Beautiful little chapel. Love those old vehicles and architecture. Sad level of deserted homes.

Until the cartels took over. There was no problem on the border. We crossed back and forth no problems

I used to haul cattle off the border. Del Rio, Presidio, Santa Teresa, Columbus. Hauled the majority to Kansas. Ran into quite a few BP guys. They were always cool and respectful every time they inspected me. Loved the Santa Teresa run because we could walk across the border corrals and eat authentic Mexican grub. Steak and all the fixings and fresh homemade tortillas and a Mexican COKE for $4.95.

Fascinating tour of the border towns. Really love the little chapel and church, the interesting old buildings too. Never knew they had Border Patrol blimps! The butterflies down by the Rio Grande River were kind of magical. Cool video!

Your in Cartel Country.

Interesting video! My family is, and has been, from Los Ebanos for well over 100 years. Needless to say, it has changed a lot. Too bad you missed "La Chalan" the last hand-pulled international ferry in the United States. Still, you'd be about a decade too late to actually see it. You used to be able to walk right up to it. There was only a small U.S. Customs shack that existed back then. There is a much larger customs facility now, however, and you can't actually see the ferry without paying to board the vessel. You navigated the area well. I am a multimedia journalist. I take a lot of photos and videos of this area and deal with border patrol and National Guard regularly. I appreciate and support what they do, but have to balance journalistic integrity and First Amendment rights. Still, with the 100-mile "constitution free" zone, one must tread carefully as to how far they are willing to push.

that’s cool that you came to the real SOUTH Tx. RGV PURO PINCHE 956❤️‍🔥🌴

Due to the large number of sundown counties in Texas, I have been able to trace many relatives who fled south to the border towns. McAllen was one of those where we located many graves of my relatives. There were equal number who crossed the border and lived on the other side of Falcon Lake. When I visited that area it was really nice and peaceful. At that time, we just took a boat ride across the lake visited sites and then came back. It was a nice visit.

You took such a risk at that river. Cartels probably use it. And all the big houses you see, are owned by people who run drugs. Everyone else lives in poverty.

Damn you made us kinda look bad 🤣 we actually do have beautiful spots and very delicious restaurant.. y'all take the back roads???

Wow I was born in McAllen Tx almost 70 years ago and have never been there 🇺🇸. Amazingly calm🙏. My mom was born in McAllen 87 yrs ago and now she wants to see the fence.

My son is currently working at the border... he's in the national guard... and yes they take their job very serious

Every time I visit the RGV, I drive the farm roads between the many small towns in Willacy, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties. It gets the "big city life" out of me. Love the Tex-Mex food.

did you miss the international ferry crossing in los ebanos? It's the only hand pulled international ferry in the U.S. where the cars get pulled across to mexico by hand using a cable attached to a big old tree. You drove past it at minute 16:48 in the video where the lady with the blue grocery bag is walking.

This by far was one of the most interesting and informative videos that you have done. I haven't watched all of your videos YET, but from the ones I have watched, this is #1. Keep them coming.

I was expecting Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef to jump out of the bushes at times. Love the fact you got down to the river, what a perfect place for a spot of fishing with some sandwiches and a flask of tea.

You naturally hesitated before proceeding on that narrow dirt road; but your willingness to "go the extra mile" proved very well worth it both for you and for your loyal audience. You were taken at ground level to the very edge of the Rio Grande at a spot that looked eminently navigable for just about any fit person and utterly absent any security patrol. Your pertinacity flushed out an obvious leak in the security dike--and you got to dip your toes in the sacred waters! Thanks too for getting out twice in Roma at higher elevation perches to let us see the great river and the Mexican town right next to it. Another rewarding and informative video.

Recording anything from a public space or road, is First Amendment protected activity. No matter if boarder patrol or the Military likes it or not. Great video! You don't disappoint! thanks for taking us on your travels.

the reason you see so many butterflies is because typical chemical agriculture isn't there spraying pesticides, fungicides all the time. the landscape is soft and subtropical like it should be naturally

Too many people here already. We need to regulate and reduce immigration at all cost.

Border wall should be tall in all spots not just some.

Yep, when my ex and I went to the Rio Grande, the Border Patrol drove up to us at an empty park a lot like that one. That's why you won't see anyone there. I guess they're just doing their jobs, but they almost bully people into not being there. It's a shame.

Nice! im from roma and its nice to see someone taking an interest in border towns. I used to spend alot of my time at that birdwatch since my grandma lived right on the corner.

These old chapels and grounds always seem otherworldly, truly imbue with the Spirit of Christ, and holier than those megachurches packing in tens of thousands on Sundays like major league sporting events.

that overlook in Roma...wait till the sun goes down and if you're lucky, you'll hear the sound of several large caliber firearms going off across the river!

I used to put my boat in at Chimney Park to water ski on the river in the late 70’s (I lived in McAllen). The palm trees marked boundary lines of people’s property. There were no border walls back then. Thanks for the video it brought back old memories.

Very good border video. But, you have to know that what appears to you to be an "open border" is not. Instead of having thousands of US personnel and expensive border structures, we have electronic surveillance plus satellite. As you observed, you don't see people wading across from either side, because they know that they would be discovered easily, etc.

Military Road goes all the way through Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri You can follow Military Highway on Old Maps from 1920,s and 1930's where I learn history of the Military Highway, my grandfather was a Geologist and Taught at University of Texas we lived in Waco 1950's and Benton, Arkansas in in1960,s.

I've been to numerous border towns from Arizona to Texas on work trips. It's amazing to see the culture change as you approach them. I had an interesting encounter with Border Patrol on one of my excursions. Great vid...

Was waiting for what was so crazy lol. I live in the McAllen area and lived in laredo for 12 years. Hope the people watching don’t think the border towns are all run down vacant cities. Great people and amazing food. The cities are modern and updated so it doesn’t look like an old western movie lol

Thank you for this video. I am old, pretty much isolated at home so it has been a pleasure for me to see these places. Can't wait until the next video!!

Man love watching your videos while smoking weed. From india, love these western village types of areas.

37:57 This grocery store used to be run by an old man which I forgot his name by now :( unfortunately he passed a while back and it’s been closed ever since. The motel you filmed is still owned and operated by the parents of my best friend. His father is a fisherman and leads fishing trips around falcon as well as Mexico. I remember back in elementary school the bus stop would drop my friend, brother and I off at the grocery store. We would stop by grab some snacks and head to my friends house and hangout all day. I can still remember walking to the store and how great it felt to be a kid back then.

Joe, you do a spectacular job of showcasing rural, small town America for those of us whose current situation allows us little or no time to pursue such endeavors. I've been watching you since your "Spoda" days (at least a year or so) and I always feel like I'm getting a civics/social studies lesson as well as a very well produced pictorial essay to towns and places I may never have the privilege of witnessing in the flesh. I, myself, have many future aspirations to conduct a similar, albeit, personally unique, reconnoitering of the "State -of-the-Union". A very heartfelt and deserved thank you is necessary for the dedication and hard work...the thankless time spent doing the due-diligence, the history and the research to enrich the videography. Thank you, sir!....On a different note, I can't help but notice the (sometimes multiple) satellite dishes on some of the most decrepit, run-down shacks....Seems to speak volumes on perspective, doesn't it?

You literally went through every place I lived at lol My mom lives near la joya, she’s in Abram rd. I’ve lived in Mission since I was 14, I’m 37 now and still live here. To be honest all the places you went through, not only is it historic, but it’s also haunted 😅

I'm 51 and never been to America, I'm really loving these great videos, and hope to visit sometime.

The area at the end of the video was once the tourist area. Good fishing before it came unsafe to be in the area. That's the reason all the motels are being abandoned

Lots of drugs come over from this way that's why BP is always working hard.

The border is a wonderful place. I am glad you were pleasantly surprised with the tranquility.

Why didn't you tell the National Guard you are allowed to film in public, including their vehicles 🙄

I'm from the Rio Grande Valley, our first/New home is being built very close to the butterfly park that you drove past in Mission. This was so cool to see!

you are on the u.s. side of the border, in a public area you are free to film what ever you want to. if the guard does not want to be filmed just stay out of they public eye.

at 17:03 that was a store my great grand father Luis Pena build in the 1920's he was a Mason/Woodsmen of the World. My mom said he'd have secret meetings in Mission TX. I grew up in the house directly across the cemetery @ 17:10

I don’t think you understand how dangerous the border is and wandering around unarmed is not smart.

Border Towns are Raw (real life) mixed with Century Old Tradition and Faith. Just an entirely different feel to them. Lord Spoda get's it. Regards, JP

They don't need to talk to you,they've already run your vehicle and know everything about you. You do seem suspicious like maybe looking to pick someone up lol

the river is being monitored even when you dont see it i put kayaks in at El rio park you can camp there and take a dip in the river too in Chapeno, Texas and come out in Salineño the location you did not know the name of, and when they cant tell what you are doing on the river they send helicopters and when they see youre not up to anything they turn around.