The fact you were in Cherokee, NC. North Carolina is my home state. Wish you'd let us know you were in the state when you came through. Could've shown you some cool places....
Such a great video. We lived in Bryson City, right next door to Cherokee, for 21 years until recently. My son had a friend who loved to have his Birthday parties at the fun park. So we went there many times. There used to be an airplane on the hill but I didn’t see it, A lot of the hotels closed down soon after the casino opened. It was rather sad. And as for the painted bear, they put those all over town a few years back. Each one has a different paint job on it, They are very cool. I love all your videos but this one brings bak good memories from not that long ago. Thank you. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Cool explore/tour. Looks like a nice little town. I spend thousands of dollars a year trimming trees back that were planted to close to the building to prevent damage, can't imagine intentionally building around them! Gave thumbs up as always.
The hotel built around the trees was very unique and interesting! I also appreciate all the neon style signage used at the various locations you visited!
I love this video. My favorite were the Pink Motel with Tinkerbell. Next I loved the Motel with the treegrowing through it. That was so peaceful looking. I could see me drinking my coffee just relaxing. Thank you for this video. God bless you and your family.
JP ,What a great find,This place is cool. I love GoCarts ,Mini Golf This track looks like it would of be alot of fun. I could of spent all day there.So sad it's closed.🌳🌲Motel .Thanks for sharing ✌💜🐢💜
JP, It's like going back in time. Many years ago even New Jersey down the shore , where I lived, had Motels like these. Most are gone now,but I wouldn't be surprised if there are photo books of places like this throughout the country. We need to be reminded of a time when travelling the road meant adventure, not just a quick way to get to a destination. Rather than interstates ,taking the road less traveled even today, can show us the real America and you are documenting it before it entirely disappears. Thank you, Rik Spector
I remember staying at a little motel like the ones in the video around the late 80's or so during a family trip to Wildwood/Wildwood Crest. You opened the door to your room and the pool was right outside the door just about. I spent most of my time on the amusement piers riding the rides. We even saw a show with an Elvis impersonator at the one hotel across the road the one night.
@@CheapestGamer My wife and I had our honeymoon in Wildwood Crest and I remember a lot of those little motels along old route nine. That was a beautiful area as was and still is Cape May. WE live in the Pacific Northwest now, but haven'f forgotten that area, It is so unlike the northern corridor around New York City. Thanks for the memory. Cheers, Rik Spector
We stopped at a roadside attraction that had a chicken that played a small piano. You put a coin in the slot, a chicken appeared, played a few notes and corn would fall into a cup. They also had a large black bear and an Indian chief you could get a picture with him for a dollar.
Yes it's my favorite place to vacation I'm at both places multiple times a year it's just sad how many things are going to waste there it breaks my heart
Oh Wow! Poor old Cherokee. When we were down there in Summer of 2011 we went into town everyday and we met a member of the Tribal Council. He shared that the Casino turned out to be hurting them more then helping. Taking away from their businesses. So sad! My absolute favorite part on your videos was definitely the old neon signs. It is like stepping back in time. Thank you for an absolute amazing trip!! Be Safe and God Bless Jay!! 🎥💖🎈
Oh I loved the old signage!!! Years ago I went to Cherokee and at the time I had a pet ferret. He loved sitting on my shoulder and we were walking around and came upon to two Native American Indians. They were all dressed up taking pictures and they saw my ferret and the younger one asked us over. He was so excited to see my ferret and i told him if he wanted hold him. We stood there probably about 30 minutes talking and them playing with my ferret. We felt bad about taking up their time so we gave them $40. They were so shocked and surprised. But I felt honored hearing their all stories they told us. I do miss the old Cherokee, the new Cherokee is so plastic and fake. You can't get anything that authentic anymore. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. You showed me a part of Cherokee I never seen before. Thank you for for taking us on you adventure!
That go-cart, Mini Golf place would have been incredible in it's hay day I think. That wooden track was very unique, I have never seen one like that before.
Greed usually ruins everything. I'm from Dare County ( Nags Head. Cape Hatteras) and have seen it first hand. Natives chased out. Bet many wish they could turn back time.
The go carts track, the tree covered hills in the background, the motel with the trees growing through it, the memorial tribute to the POWs and MIAs. Again, thank you
I went there when I was on a road trip with my family I was 19 years old...I have some pictures stored away somewhere. We all made the trip on motorcycles...wow I completely forgot about that place..
While quarantined, I had the opportunity to go back and view some older videos that you did. I especially liked this one. I was born and grew up near Hickory, N.C which isn't so far from the Great Smoky Mountains and I recall many trips up to Cherokee (home of 15,000+ Eastern Band Cherokee Indians), Maggie Valley (home of Ghost Town in the Sky (closed)), Bryson City (home of the Polar Express Train ride), Beech Mountain ( home of the old Land of Oz Park with its Yellow Brick Road), and Hot Springs ( where the Appalachian Trail goes right through the town and you can hike along the French Broad River). I'm partial, of course, but I love N.C. and every place I ever was taken on vacation as a child. Thanks for reminding me of all that with this glimpse of Cherokee's best. Sorry to ramble on so much, but just want you to know why I like your channel!
What a waste that the amusement center couldn't be revived - it's really pretty cool. We'd luv to sneak our boyz over there to just hang out for the day.
I live in SC but a NC native. I tell everyone our mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world. Lots of movies filmed in the NC mountains. I'm lucky enough that I can be in the foothills of the mountains in about an hour and go hiking to the waterfalls quite often.
I have always loved Cherokee, NC, I go there every year for my birthday. I love to see the mountains and the elks. I liked the abandoned hotel with the trees growing thru it, that was so cool. Your hand on the tree really showed how huge they really are. Plz do more vids soon.
I passed by the Cherokee Fun Park very late at night last weekend on my way back from Dollywood. The sign still lights up at night! I also noticed that someone has since taken down the "Labor Day" lettering.
I am always fascinated by old motels and they way they were build out of the ordinary and with character and one of a kind. In my town we have vintage motels of the 50 and 60's with those kind if sigs
Excellent! The video views just kept getting better here. To me, this had an overall cheerful setting, the music added to that feeling. Difficult to pic a favorite, I've a soft spot for cemeteries of all types, a history of being around them as a child, including as adult working in monument business. I also travelled with family across the country as a child and flashed on memories of those detailed neon motel neon signs...so I have to go with the motel sign with the fairy. I love that you got the night time shot of the sign on the side that showed her wand! The trees in the motel were fascinating too. Thank you JP for this! Stay safe.
Roxanne Robinson July 10 Los Alamos Ca. Thanks for taking me along on such a cool ride! I would love to have your job, what fun can’t wait to see more stuff from you!
I'm sure you're long gone by now but across from that go cart place there is a road and off to the right there's a leather shop that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND for anyone needing anything leather, belt wallet purse jacket. Excellent quality stuff!
@@Sandy-is2kf hi Sandy. I don't know, lots of places appeared to be out of business and most of the shops had well to do white folks... This leather shop guy was, I assume - I didn't ask, native American. I was ashamed of myself because when he asked to help me I gave him the standard "just looking" answer, after he saw me grab a belt he asked again and I told him, and man he just really knows every thing in that store top to bottom. I mean him and his merchandise would put every leather store I've ever been in out of business. The week before we had went on vacation I had bought a hank's belt that has a 100 year warranty on it for $60. I bought a belt at this shop for $20 and it was thicker and much much better than the $60 one! I wanted a wallet clip too he started pulling some he thought I'd like... And he said here, this one is made by the same guy that made the belt I'd picked out. SOLD. AND THEN... I go to the register and he was like I'll give you 5 off that and 3 off that.... I'm like OK, you already sold me at full price but that's awesome! I very faintly remember going here as a young kid and natives were everywhere! It was so cool! I'd have to assume that many who were there before have passed on and that has attributed to this area no longer being what it once was. Sad! There were some in full dress dancing for tips in front of one of the restaurant/stores area, but honestly they appeared to be more Hispanic to my wife and I. Not the dude in the leather shop... Totally respectful and pleasant and the quality, wow! Needle in a haystack for sure!
@Andrew Sellers. I know exactly the shop you are talking about. Chief Henry owned many stores in Cherokee, he died many many years ago then his son took over. The Tribal Council member told me that many of the young people do not want to keep tradition. Lots of drugs and alcohol. He said the older Cherokee die and no one left to carry on tradition. Young people that do make it through College usually leave for a better life of the reservation. Jay does such an awesome job on his trips, it is like being right there. As kids we went there often and then over to Maggie Valley. Yes he said the casino was not suppose to build a Hotel and that way people would come to the casino and maybe drop down into Cherokee to stay~~~boosting business. But they evidently built a very nice hotel, restaurants and etc. Thank you again for all the information. Now I want to go for a visit before nothing us left. Have an amazing weekend!!
Sandy Hockemeyer, Andrew Sellers, & JP....Thank you for all for the great info, a view into history there, & J.P-- enabling us to see some visual sites of Cherokee, N.C. Greetings from lower Michigan; one who's never been much South. The town looks quaint to visit, Neon signed Hotels cool, glimpse of the ride park fun, sure wish I could ride The Doodle Bug Train, even though I'm a 'big kid' now! I can imagine that awesome cart ride, bumper boats in the pool, & putt putt golf really takes ya back...Does anyone know the name of the leather shop that was Chief Henry's, & if the son is still there? Maybe he sells some goods via shipping. Whenever traveling in the past, I made it a point to acquire business cards, postcards, menus of places visited for either possible return to recall favorites, eat again, stay at motel liked, or consider purchasing items later. Before we had Smartphones! Years can go by & get misplaced but one wishes revisiting/ connections. I hope to travel again as such, as it's been a long time for any road trips. Much of life has changed over the past 50-100 years, & with economy changes, many struggles, moving for employment, one can see how much Native American craftsmanship may be reduced, or their work opportunities lost, especially in small towns causing some folks to move. Not only has the digital age affected everything, advent of large Internet clearinghouses, selling used items by stores, on-line, neighborhood Marketplaces rising, + the rise of malls, big box stores or small--many still go out of business. It doesn't matter where you live. Often some sell overpriced goods for excess profits/can't keep leasing/ just can't compete with the volume of choices existing, or customers go to one place shopping national chains & discount stores. I live near many cities with thousands of stores, so it's easy to see, same with restaurants. There was a recent list online of 40+ national chains tanking. However, handmade goods by artisans can be rare, underappreciated, or not necessarily needed, not styles in fluctuating demand, but it's not the quality of their work. I hate to see those in Mom & Pop shops suffer business & hope the Chief's family is doing okay. Sometimes they must have 2 businesses, families working together; as for example, sell Gas for cars & put their goods in souvenir shops attached. Like Gift shops selling Hallmark cards to carry them for when gifts aren't selling, or it's not Xmas-time, tourist season. My own major national chain of Office/Printing/Technology supplier workplace suffered, & I left for family care, but major dropping of "in-person" business occurred; our local customers--comprised of businesses, teachers, students, churches, rerouted many purchases on-line with deliveries making it easier, sparing stock outages, travel to other branches. Only Copy/Print Dept. enabled surviving, but it can be feast or famine for merchandise sales at Back-to-school time/Xmas for computers, etc. with poor employee hours/turnover the rest of the year, in an unfortunately previous high volume location. Fortunately the economy is resurging again, with other jobs available to those willing to make changes. I wonder how well the casinos have helped or hurt Native Americans there, perhaps Federal help to reservations has changed employment greatly, & sadly I've heard many of those of our brothers/sisters admired in those cultures lack work, are on welfare, & deal with high alcoholism. A friend visiting & staying at an Indian Reservation out West saw such, but let's hope is not a prevalence. Another friend with N. American Indian heritage who passed away, stated college opportunities are huge for them with major government help. As our Veterans after Service used to receive help under GI Bill, & I'm sure today many of them qualify, for various help, even though elders cannot go to school, there are disabled, but other forms of assistance. In the Upper Michigan Peninsula, there was a lot of Indian heritage; tourism is tremendous come summer, but Winters are bad, so much shuts down or dissipates by Fall/Back-To-School Time around Labor Day. Going up North there to Makinaw City, Makinaw Island, historic M. Forts, crossing the several mile long M. Bridge, visiting St. Ignace across in the U.P, other cities beyond--or before there-- is awesome besides the Island. The huge Makinaw Hotel on the Island is a real site, (too expensive to stay for most, must plan way ahead there), & the small Island can't permit cars, but is great FUN by taking ferry-boats/hydroplanes over; there's horse drawn carriages, but most people walk around the town, see events, shop for loads of fudge, handcrafts, souvenirs, etc. One can stay in M. City (not on the Island) nearby, or in many cities not far. On my way up, we used to stop near Indian River, with N.American influence thereby, or stay in M.City right near the bridge reasonably on the lower part of MI. One can drive farther for the Soo Boat Locks, or if real adventurous, way over to Munising Pictured Rocks, with gorgeous boat tours of the Peninsula lasting a few hours. Or Tacquanomen Falls with walking & steps nearby for a great view. Camping too, but not my thing! The most fantastic shop I've ever been to in my life is right at those Falls, with lots of Indian items there besides those that aren't. It's been years, only for work/caregiving/stolen car reasons, but it's high on my list later on. J.P., My parents were from PA, Johnstown, (big flood city) from the valley, where many young people left for new lives in other bigger towns, too with businesses changing there dramatically, the old coal towns drying up, steel also, but one would have to look into any economic improvements, it's been awhile since there. My parents left when Dad was offered a Ford job here. As a kid, it was neat going up the PA hill on the Inclined plane, that one huge hill of houses on the side is just like a painting, later the Historical Flood Museum & attending the Bicentennial Celebration of City Rebuilding. Never got to Shanksville, PA, Pittsburgh, or that Frank Lloyd Wright Falling Water House...maybe someday. If anyone has the leather store info, please inform. Thank you all so much, new sub here J.P, stumbled across your video, great job! Where on Earth did you locate matching former pictures in the amusement park? So good they should be enlarged, framed, sold to put in a local restaurant/bar, like I saw in both PA, & 3 places here doing locally in MI. People love that, & it's History! Bet the Chiefs son could market items up North here, or we have zillions of Art & Craft fairs where we get peeps from every state! Happy Independence Day!
Pretty darn sweet❣️Love the throwback pictures seeing the doodlebug train on a yellow sidewalk when there's nothing left now. Of course being from Vegas I have to say the neon Pink sign throwback is my fav.;and a great artist she is👍
Liked the Pink Motel and the park....These old places remind me so much of when I was younger and when my Dad and Mom took us kids on road trips all over the place. So much fun back then...so many wonderful memories. Never went here unfortunately but lots of cool places I’ll never forget. Thanks for sharing😊💕
This was a great video! It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’d put the vintage neon signs in first. The trees growing through hotel was cool to see too. And as always I love the photos at the end! Looks like a great trip. Thanks for sharing.
This was a great roadside tour. My favs were the Ruby Mine hotel and the one with the trees growing through the hotel. They were all really cool, but those two really stood out for me. My fav 2 pics was the third one with the spiral racetrack and the one where you're in the cave looking out at the bridge. Well done! Thanks for taking us along again.
Awesome video! The local motels were great, loved seeing the neon signs and how they are keeping them going! Hopefully someone will restore that nice fun park, miniature golf, go-carts etc. For generations to come. Great finds JP!! Keep up the great work!!! Thanks again.
I liked the Veterans Park and the El Cameno motel. The well kept grounds of the motel says they take pride in their establishment and so it should be clean inside also. I did like the train track imprints too !!! Thank you for letting us join you on your vacation.
The trees were so awesome to show power to heal our planet. Let it all return and be alive again. Greatest video with the pics at end those are terrific. Great job Mr. JP. Sweet dreams. XO
That big Barrel with the water pouring was really cool. But otherwise I just love old neon signs. I love how they still advertise air conditioning and cable TV LOL just stuff I remember and loved from my childhood. Also that motel with the trees growing through was pretty wild. Obviously I would assume they were much smaller in their day, but like you said at one point they're eventually going to get bigger, not sure what they were thinking there but it is unique either way.
Interesting roadside finds. The motel signs unique. A wonder with the trees growing up into the structure of the building and the fact that they were huge ones !! Also the go cart park must have been lots of fun !! Thanks for sharing .
I liked the fun park with the before and after pics, looked like a great family fun spot. Also loved the old neon signs awesome to see the old pics of those as well.
JP you never cease to amaze me, adding the pictures of when these places were going strong is brilliant! I've ran straight to Google to look up a few places you've been just to see pictures from better days, tysm! My favorite was the vintage signs and the trees too, except now I'd love to hear why the trees were there, I'm sure before they got to big they were beautiful, now very interesting, :) Stay safe in your travels! ❤
Excellent video! Loved all of them, but my fave was the motel with the trees growing through it. Awesome finds! The photo montage is always a treat! Thanks for sharing! Take care, be safe, and see you in the next one, my friend. 😊😄🙋🏽♀️💙💙💙
Another great video enjoyed those signs.. The pink fairy, elcamino pool the Indian sign and that bear was beautiful oh and the trees growing through the motel ..thanks jp
So glad I discovered you channel. I like the " tree growing inside motel " place the best. Thanks for taking us along! Looking forward to the rest of your trip
This is one of my favorite videos JP!! I love all the retro motels with the neon signs and that go kart park looks like it was an amazing place at one time. Cherokee NC is a nice area and hopefully I can visit again real soon. Thanks JP 👍🏻❤️
Liked the trees growing on the motel sidewalk by the doors. Years ago maybe they did not grow up that high but surely they knew they would eventually. The El Camino was so nice. I would get me a room for a week there just hide out and swim and lay in that green grass. The way it looked outside I bet the rooms were very clean and quaint. Thank you for the little day trip.
Hi! Really enjoyed this trip! Loved everything really! The old motel signs and the abandoned park were really cool! So sad the park is closed. One of my first thoughts was, "wow, now these were the good 'ole days!" Really can't thank you enough for taking us with you to explore places many of us would never see in person!
This video was neat just loved the motels,would also stay in one if I was up that way,nice and quiet place as well.Thanks for taking us along again,take care and stay safe.
Love seeing these finds in my home state of NC! The vintage neon motel signs are quite a find. My husband and I just spent three weeks touring around New York state and saw numerous interesting old motels, most of which were still in business.
The Cherokee lived in houses . There were wooden cabins in a village with a long house in the middle of the whole area with gardens & other things on the outside . Thank you for the interesting video . That is a beautiful area .
Sweet 👍, I LOVE explorin' abandoned places all over the USA JPVideos! My favorite find in yer video was the Tree growin' through two of the Hotel/Motel rooms.
The El Camino looked pretty sweet! I just love hearing the birds singing in the background! At the Veterans park, the rules weren't strict, in my opinion. Common sense seems to be lacking for the past few decades, and it's ashame people need to be reminded. North Carolina looks very pretty! Thanx for the great vid, JP! 👍😀🌷
What cool finds 😎😍👌 dad took us all on vacation when us kids were younger, to Cherokee and surrounding areas. North Carolina is beautiful in the fall 😍❤ My favorite part of this video is all of the vintage neon hotel signs 😊🥰💕 you just don't see those anymore and so many of the smaller "mom & pop" places gave way to the bigger chain hotels...so sad 😢😞 I also loved the hotel with the trees growing up through it. Never have seen anything like that 🥰😊💕 Thanks for another awesome video and a couple of great finds 😀👍😊 Y'all take care and stay safe ❤🙏
Panfergold....love it.........thats so cool a tree growing through a home wow. That tree had to be there for years. THAT TREE THROUGH THE HOUSE WAS AWSOME.
Tell me what your favorite roadside find was in the video.
👍🏻👍🏻
Old motels are neato bro 😎
Old motels are so cool. I like the veteran's park also.
The fact you were in Cherokee, NC. North Carolina is my home state. Wish you'd let us know you were in the state when you came through. Could've shown you some cool places....
That is very unusual to see a tree growing through
Such a great video. We lived in Bryson City, right next door to Cherokee, for 21 years until recently. My son had a friend who loved to have his Birthday parties at the fun park. So we went there many times. There used to be an airplane on the hill but I didn’t see it, A lot of the hotels closed down soon after the casino opened. It was rather sad. And as for the painted bear, they put those all over town a few years back. Each one has a different paint job on it, They are very cool. I love all your videos but this one brings bak good memories from not that long ago. Thank you. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Thanks for sharing
Cool explore/tour. Looks like a nice little town. I spend thousands of dollars a year trimming trees back that were planted to close to the building to prevent damage, can't imagine intentionally building around them! Gave thumbs up as always.
Not sure what they were thinking, but very unique.
The hotel built around the trees was very unique and interesting! I also appreciate all the neon style signage used at the various locations you visited!
Wish there were more signs like that around.
I live in nc born n raised I visit Cherokee all the time I love the place it's so sad so many wonderful things there continue to go to waste
Enjoyed the video. Like the abandoned park but the motel signs were great. The tree growing though motel was an awesome very unique find.
Stopped at Cherokee Casino years ago and lost $40 in 5 minutes. Wife pulled me out and got my car before the vallet guy had time to park it...lol
That's a good story.Your wife probably thought you'd gamble the car away,if she would have given you 10 minutes 😁😆😅
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
I loved the fun park.
Emily Culley 👍🙂
I love this video. My favorite were the Pink Motel with Tinkerbell. Next I loved the Motel with the treegrowing through it. That was so peaceful looking. I could see me drinking my coffee just relaxing. Thank you for this video. God bless you and your family.
🙂
JP ,What a great find,This place is cool. I love GoCarts ,Mini Golf This track looks like it would of be alot of fun. I could of spent all day there.So sad it's closed.🌳🌲Motel .Thanks for sharing ✌💜🐢💜
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I dont understand.. how can you thumbs down this video? I find all JP videos to be awesome!
JP,
It's like going back in time.
Many years ago even New Jersey down the shore , where I lived, had Motels like these.
Most are gone now,but I wouldn't be surprised if there are photo books of places like this throughout the country.
We need to be reminded of a time when travelling the road meant adventure, not just a quick way to get to a destination.
Rather than interstates ,taking the road less traveled even today, can show us the real America and you are documenting it before it entirely disappears.
Thank you,
Rik Spector
I remember staying at a little motel like the ones in the video around the late 80's or so during a family trip to Wildwood/Wildwood Crest. You opened the door to your room and the pool was right outside the door just about. I spent most of my time on the amusement piers riding the rides. We even saw a show with an Elvis impersonator at the one hotel across the road the one night.
@@CheapestGamer My wife and I had our honeymoon in Wildwood Crest and I remember a lot of those little motels along old route nine.
That was a beautiful area as was and still is Cape May.
WE live in the Pacific Northwest now, but haven'f forgotten that area,
It is so unlike the northern corridor around New York City.
Thanks for the memory.
Cheers,
Rik Spector
We stopped at a roadside attraction that had a chicken that played a small piano.
You put a coin in the slot, a chicken appeared, played a few notes and corn would fall into a cup. They also had a large black bear and an Indian chief you could get a picture with him for a dollar.
😲
Love Cherokee, NC! What a great town! Maggie Valley, NC is another great lil town! Thanks for the tour😊🎢
I cant wait to return
Yes it's my favorite place to vacation I'm at both places multiple times a year it's just sad how many things are going to waste there it breaks my heart
Oh Wow! Poor old Cherokee. When we were down there in Summer of 2011 we went into town everyday and we met a member of the Tribal Council. He shared that the Casino turned out to be hurting them more then helping. Taking away from their businesses. So sad! My absolute favorite part on your videos was definitely the old neon signs. It is like stepping back in time. Thank you for an absolute amazing trip!! Be Safe and God Bless Jay!! 🎥💖🎈
Oh I loved the old signage!!! Years ago I went to Cherokee and at the time I had a pet ferret. He loved sitting on my shoulder and we were walking around and came upon to two Native American Indians. They were all dressed up taking pictures and they saw my ferret and the younger one asked us over. He was so excited to see my ferret and i told him if he wanted hold him. We stood there probably about 30 minutes talking and them playing with my ferret. We felt bad about taking up their time so we gave them $40. They were so shocked and surprised. But I felt honored hearing their all stories they told us.
I do miss the old Cherokee, the new Cherokee is so plastic and fake. You can't get anything that authentic anymore.
Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. You showed me a part of Cherokee I never seen before. Thank you for for taking us on you adventure!
Great story. Thanks for sharing
LOVE the trees and ivy taking over that motel! Plus I’m a sucker for those old neon signs! Love seeing them in action still.
I'm from NC coast, but love the mountains! Great find!
Good morning from Bosnia 🇧🇦 👍for Cherokee Veterans!Thank you.
Wow....hello Bosnia. Beautiful country.
I liked the El Camino Motel. Beautiful scenery! This is the part of the country my ancestors came from. Great!
I loved the old motel signs ! But that family sure was pretty ! Thank you !
Family park that is....
That go-cart, Mini Golf place would have been incredible in it's hay day I think. That wooden track was very unique, I have never seen one like that before.
Ive seen those tracks in Pigeon forge, but never been on one.
@@JPVideos81 ...lol...your talking to a Canadian transplant living in Oregon. Where is Pigeon Forge..
@@lindaosmon5224 next to Gatlinburg in Tennessee
@@JPVideos81 Thank you..learn something new everyday.
I’m from NC and I remember Cherokee and that area before the casino was built. The casino ruined a little fun tourist town. So sad to see it now.
Greed usually ruins everything. I'm from Dare County ( Nags Head. Cape Hatteras) and have seen it first hand. Natives chased out. Bet many wish they could turn back time.
remember Charlie cucumber picking and singing many years ago.
The go carts track, the tree covered hills in the background, the motel with the trees growing through it, the memorial tribute to the POWs and MIAs. Again, thank you
You're welcome ellen
Love this video. The trees growing through the motel were really something to see. The memorials at the end were beautiful. Thanks, JP.
Always love it when you find old pics of the places you visit and include the "then and now" views.
It really helps everyone understand how it used to look.
I went there when I was on a road trip with my family I was 19 years old...I have some pictures stored away somewhere.
We all made the trip on motorcycles...wow I completely forgot about that place..
You're whole video was just awesome thanks for sharing..💜
Ty
While quarantined, I had the opportunity to go back and view some older videos that you did. I especially liked this one. I was born and grew up near Hickory, N.C which isn't so far from the Great Smoky Mountains and I recall many trips up to Cherokee (home of 15,000+ Eastern Band Cherokee Indians), Maggie Valley (home of Ghost Town in the Sky (closed)), Bryson City (home of the Polar Express Train ride), Beech Mountain ( home of the old Land of Oz Park with its Yellow Brick Road), and Hot Springs ( where the Appalachian Trail goes right through the town and you can hike along the French Broad River). I'm partial, of course, but I love N.C. and every place I ever was taken on vacation as a child. Thanks for reminding me of all that with this glimpse of Cherokee's best. Sorry to ramble on so much, but just want you to know why I like your channel!
Ramble on! Thanks for watching this one
What a waste that the amusement center couldn't be revived - it's really pretty cool. We'd luv to sneak our boyz over there to just hang out for the day.
I love the way you incorporate the pictures of the past with the present in your videos. Well done. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
I live in SC but a NC native. I tell everyone our mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world. Lots of movies filmed in the NC mountains. I'm lucky enough that I can be in the foothills of the mountains in about an hour and go hiking to the waterfalls quite often.
No one likes a bragger haha jk
I have always loved Cherokee, NC, I go there every year for my birthday. I love to see the mountains and the elks. I liked the abandoned hotel with the trees growing thru it, that was so cool. Your hand on the tree really showed how huge they really are. Plz do more vids soon.
More on the way
I passed by the Cherokee Fun Park very late at night last weekend on my way back from Dollywood. The sign still lights up at night! I also noticed that someone has since taken down the "Labor Day" lettering.
Favorite was the Tree Motel!! I have never seen anything like it!! Thanks for filming it!
My pleasure
I am always fascinated by old motels and they way they were build out of the ordinary and with character and one of a kind. In my town we have vintage motels of the 50 and 60's with those kind if sigs
Excellent! The video views just kept getting better here. To me, this had an overall cheerful setting, the music added to that feeling. Difficult to pic a favorite, I've a soft spot for cemeteries of all types, a history of being around them as a child, including as adult working in monument business. I also travelled with family across the country as a child and flashed on memories of those detailed neon motel neon signs...so I have to go with the motel sign with the fairy. I love that you got the night time shot of the sign on the side that showed her wand! The trees in the motel were fascinating too. Thank you JP for this! Stay safe.
You're welcome Deborah
Love these kind of places! Really neat to explore! Thanks for taking us along!,
Roxanne Robinson
July 10
Los Alamos Ca.
Thanks for taking me along on such a cool ride! I would love to have your job, what fun can’t wait to see more stuff from you!
I'm sure you're long gone by now but across from that go cart place there is a road and off to the right there's a leather shop that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND for anyone needing anything leather, belt wallet purse jacket. Excellent quality stuff!
Andrew, I know right where you are talking about. I wonder do the Cherokee still put on their Tribal dances down that street?
@@Sandy-is2kf hi Sandy. I don't know, lots of places appeared to be out of business and most of the shops had well to do white folks... This leather shop guy was, I assume - I didn't ask, native American.
I was ashamed of myself because when he asked to help me I gave him the standard "just looking" answer, after he saw me grab a belt he asked again and I told him, and man he just really knows every thing in that store top to bottom. I mean him and his merchandise would put every leather store I've ever been in out of business.
The week before we had went on vacation I had bought a hank's belt that has a 100 year warranty on it for $60. I bought a belt at this shop for $20 and it was thicker and much much better than the $60 one! I wanted a wallet clip too he started pulling some he thought I'd like... And he said here, this one is made by the same guy that made the belt I'd picked out. SOLD. AND THEN... I go to the register and he was like I'll give you 5 off that and 3 off that.... I'm like OK, you already sold me at full price but that's awesome!
I very faintly remember going here as a young kid and natives were everywhere! It was so cool! I'd have to assume that many who were there before have passed on and that has attributed to this area no longer being what it once was. Sad!
There were some in full dress dancing for tips in front of one of the restaurant/stores area, but honestly they appeared to be more Hispanic to my wife and I. Not the dude in the leather shop... Totally respectful and pleasant and the quality, wow! Needle in a haystack for sure!
@Andrew Sellers. I know exactly the shop you are talking about. Chief Henry owned many stores in Cherokee, he died many many years ago then his son took over. The Tribal Council member told me that many of the young people do not want to keep tradition. Lots of drugs and alcohol. He said the older Cherokee die and no one left to carry on tradition. Young people that do make it through College usually leave for a better life of the reservation. Jay does such an awesome job on his trips, it is like being right there. As kids we went there often and then over to Maggie Valley. Yes he said the casino was not suppose to build a Hotel and that way people would come to the casino and maybe drop down into Cherokee to stay~~~boosting business. But they evidently built a very nice hotel, restaurants and etc. Thank you again for all the information. Now I want to go for a visit before nothing us left. Have an amazing weekend!!
Sandy Hockemeyer, Andrew Sellers, & JP....Thank you for all for the great info, a view into history there, & J.P-- enabling us to see some visual sites of Cherokee, N.C. Greetings from lower Michigan; one who's never been much South. The town looks quaint to visit, Neon signed Hotels cool, glimpse of the ride park fun, sure wish I could ride The Doodle Bug Train, even though I'm a 'big kid' now! I can imagine that awesome cart ride, bumper boats in the pool, & putt putt golf really takes ya back...Does anyone know the name of the leather shop that was Chief Henry's, & if the son is still there? Maybe he sells some goods via shipping. Whenever traveling in the past, I made it a point to acquire business cards, postcards, menus of places visited for either possible return to recall favorites, eat again, stay at motel liked, or consider purchasing items later. Before we had Smartphones! Years can go by & get misplaced but one wishes revisiting/ connections. I hope to travel again as such, as it's been a long time for any road trips. Much of life has changed over the past 50-100 years, & with economy changes, many struggles, moving for employment, one can see how much Native American craftsmanship may be reduced, or their work opportunities lost, especially in small towns causing some folks to move. Not only has the digital age affected everything, advent of large Internet clearinghouses, selling used items by stores, on-line, neighborhood Marketplaces rising, + the rise of malls, big box stores or small--many still go out of business. It doesn't matter where you live. Often some sell overpriced goods for excess profits/can't keep leasing/ just can't compete with the volume of choices existing, or customers go to one place shopping national chains & discount stores. I live near many cities with thousands of stores, so it's easy to see, same with restaurants. There was a recent list online of 40+ national chains tanking. However, handmade goods by artisans can be rare, underappreciated, or not necessarily needed, not styles in fluctuating demand, but it's not the quality of their work. I hate to see those in Mom & Pop shops suffer business & hope the Chief's family is doing okay. Sometimes they must have 2 businesses, families working together; as for example, sell Gas for cars & put their goods in souvenir shops attached. Like Gift shops selling Hallmark cards to carry them for when gifts aren't selling, or it's not Xmas-time, tourist season. My own major national chain of Office/Printing/Technology supplier workplace suffered, & I left for family care, but major dropping of "in-person" business occurred; our local customers--comprised of businesses, teachers, students, churches, rerouted many purchases on-line with deliveries making it easier, sparing stock outages, travel to other branches. Only Copy/Print Dept. enabled surviving, but it can be feast or famine for merchandise sales at Back-to-school time/Xmas for computers, etc. with poor employee hours/turnover the rest of the year, in an unfortunately previous high volume location. Fortunately the economy is resurging again, with other jobs available to those willing to make changes. I wonder how well the casinos have helped or hurt Native Americans there, perhaps Federal help to reservations has changed employment greatly, & sadly I've heard many of those of our brothers/sisters admired in those cultures lack work, are on welfare, & deal with high alcoholism. A friend visiting & staying at an Indian Reservation out West saw such, but let's hope is not a prevalence. Another friend with N. American Indian heritage who passed away, stated college opportunities are huge for them with major government help. As our Veterans after Service used to receive help under GI Bill, & I'm sure today many of them qualify, for various help, even though elders cannot go to school, there are disabled, but other forms of assistance. In the Upper Michigan Peninsula, there was a lot of Indian heritage; tourism is tremendous come summer, but Winters are bad, so much shuts down or dissipates by Fall/Back-To-School Time around Labor Day. Going up North there to Makinaw City, Makinaw Island, historic M. Forts, crossing the several mile long M. Bridge, visiting St. Ignace across in the U.P, other cities beyond--or before there-- is awesome besides the Island. The huge Makinaw Hotel on the Island is a real site, (too expensive to stay for most, must plan way ahead there), & the small Island can't permit cars, but is great FUN by taking ferry-boats/hydroplanes over; there's horse drawn carriages, but most people walk around the town, see events, shop for loads of fudge, handcrafts, souvenirs, etc. One can stay in M. City (not on the Island) nearby, or in many cities not far. On my way up, we used to stop near Indian River, with N.American influence thereby, or stay in M.City right near the bridge reasonably on the lower part of MI. One can drive farther for the Soo Boat Locks, or if real adventurous, way over to Munising Pictured Rocks, with gorgeous boat tours of the Peninsula lasting a few hours. Or Tacquanomen Falls with walking & steps nearby for a great view. Camping too, but not my thing! The most fantastic shop I've ever been to in my life is right at those Falls, with lots of Indian items there besides those that aren't. It's been years, only for work/caregiving/stolen car reasons, but it's high on my list later on. J.P., My parents were from PA, Johnstown, (big flood city) from the valley, where many young people left for new lives in other bigger towns, too with businesses changing there dramatically, the old coal towns drying up, steel also, but one would have to look into any economic improvements, it's been awhile since there. My parents left when Dad was offered a Ford job here. As a kid, it was neat going up the PA hill on the Inclined plane, that one huge hill of houses on the side is just like a painting, later the Historical Flood Museum & attending the Bicentennial Celebration of City Rebuilding. Never got to Shanksville, PA, Pittsburgh, or that Frank Lloyd Wright Falling Water House...maybe someday. If anyone has the leather store info, please inform. Thank you all so much, new sub here J.P, stumbled across your video, great job! Where on Earth did you locate matching former pictures in the amusement park? So good they should be enlarged, framed, sold to put in a local restaurant/bar, like I saw in both PA, & 3 places here doing locally in MI. People love that, & it's History! Bet the Chiefs son could market items up North here, or we have zillions of Art & Craft fairs where we get peeps from every state! Happy Independence Day!
I’m glad I didn’t see Dan Bell and friends entering one of those motels 😳🤣
I really loved the hotel signage. Each one was unique. The tree hotel was awesome and different. That's one to remember. Thanks for an awesome video.😉
Pretty darn sweet❣️Love the throwback pictures seeing the doodlebug train on a yellow sidewalk when there's nothing left now. Of course being from Vegas I have to say the neon Pink sign throwback is my fav.;and a great artist she is👍
Those motels remind me of when we took road trips as a kid. Spectacular. Thanks.
My children who are now 38 and 42 spent many hours here several times while on vacations in the mountains. It was a fun place to go back in the day.
Liked the Pink Motel and the park....These old places remind me so much of when I was younger and when my Dad and Mom took us kids on road trips all over the place. So much fun back then...so many wonderful memories. Never went here unfortunately but lots of cool places I’ll never forget. Thanks for sharing😊💕
You're welcome
This was a great video! It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’d put the vintage neon signs in first. The trees growing through hotel was cool to see too. And as always I love the photos at the end! Looks like a great trip. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it kari
This was a great roadside tour. My favs were the Ruby Mine hotel and the one with the trees growing through the hotel. They were all really cool, but those two really stood out for me. My fav 2 pics was the third one with the spiral racetrack and the one where you're in the cave looking out at the bridge. Well done! Thanks for taking us along again.
😊
The hotels look so MAYBERRY like. I love old shows like Andy Griffith. Looks like they preserve history there unlike other states.
Awesome video! The local motels were great, loved seeing the neon signs and how they are keeping them going! Hopefully someone will restore that nice fun park, miniature golf, go-carts etc. For generations to come. Great finds JP!! Keep up the great work!!! Thanks again.
🙂
Great video. I loved the motel with the trees. I have stayed at the El Camino before.😊🇺🇸
How were the rooms?
@@JPVideos81 I stayed there in 1998. It was nice then but I don't know how it is now.
I liked the Veterans Park and the El Cameno motel. The well kept grounds of the motel says they take pride in their establishment and so it should be clean inside also. I did like the train track imprints too !!! Thank you for letting us join you on your vacation.
Thanks melodie
The trees were so awesome to show power to heal our planet. Let it all return and be alive again. Greatest video with the pics at end those are terrific. Great job Mr. JP. Sweet dreams. XO
That big Barrel with the water pouring was really cool. But otherwise I just love old neon signs. I love how they still advertise air conditioning and cable TV LOL just stuff I remember and loved from my childhood.
Also that motel with the trees growing through was pretty wild. Obviously I would assume they were much smaller in their day, but like you said at one point they're eventually going to get bigger, not sure what they were thinking there but it is unique either way.
Gotta love crazy roadside finds
@@JPVideos81 there's a ton of good stuff out there. I am taking notes as I'm driving as well LOL
Interesting roadside finds. The motel signs unique. A wonder with the trees growing up into the structure of the building and the fact that they were huge ones !! Also the go cart park must have been lots of fun !! Thanks for sharing .
This video is a winner! I love that Pink motel sign, it makes me happy!
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I liked the fun park with the before and after pics, looked like a great family fun spot. Also loved the old neon signs awesome to see the old pics of those as well.
Thanks for watching
JP you never cease to amaze me, adding the pictures of when these places were going strong is brilliant! I've ran straight to Google to look up a few places you've been just to see pictures from better days, tysm! My favorite was the vintage signs and the trees too, except now I'd love to hear why the trees were there, I'm sure before they got to big they were beautiful, now very interesting, :) Stay safe in your travels! ❤
Thanks karen
@@JPVideos81 You're very welcome!, :):)
Excellent video! Loved all of them, but my fave was the motel with the trees growing through it. Awesome finds! The photo montage is always a treat! Thanks for sharing! Take care, be safe, and see you in the next one, my friend. 😊😄🙋🏽♀️💙💙💙
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Loved the vintage intact and in use still motels.Reminds me of vintage Maples motel near Cedar Point on US6 in Ohio.
Another awesome find must visit some of the places you mention while traveling and most definitely other parts thanks for the tour
That amusement park looked great when it was opened. Liked seeing the before and after pics.
Loved the whole video. Those motel signs were the icing on the cake.
🙂
I'll tell you what Jay, I like all it. It was a really cool little town with alot of vintage and unique things to see.
Nice little step back in time
Another great video enjoyed those signs.. The pink fairy, elcamino pool the Indian sign and that bear was beautiful oh and the trees growing through the motel ..thanks jp
This is a great video! Thanks taking me along on this journey. I enjoyed it. I loved the tree growing though the building.
My pleasure merilee
Love the neon signs! The motel with the trees growing through was interesting. Thanks for the tour!
Ty for watching
So glad I discovered you channel. I like the " tree growing inside motel " place the best. Thanks for taking us along! Looking forward to the rest of your trip
Glad you discovered it too
Loved each of the neon signs. The Pink Motel is so unique. I think it would be fun to stay there
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All of this video is awesome. That one room was tree locked. No way in or out. Tree to the left tree to the right. Mother nature takes over
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Hi JP ! Peggy again lol !!! Definitely the children’s doodle bug train was the sweetest!!!!
🙂
My favorite was the tree motel! lol that was awesome! And that doodle bug train was the cutest thing ever :)
Great videos! Thanks for sharing :)
😊
The veterans park was my favourite. But the motel with the trees, wow what a find JP. Another great video,thank you for the tour. Maria 🇬🇧👍😁
This is one of my favorite videos JP!! I love all the retro motels with the neon signs and that go kart park looks like it was an amazing place at one time. Cherokee NC is a nice area and hopefully I can visit again real soon. Thanks JP 👍🏻❤️
Looked like a fun place
I loved all those great finds. Loved that abandoned park! I bet it was a great place in its day! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure
I liked all the old motels. Especially the pink one. It had a 50s and 60s vibe to it. Cool finds
Liked seeing the “before “ pics of the park as well as shots of the neon signs lit at night.
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Liked the trees growing on the motel sidewalk by the doors. Years ago maybe they did not grow up that high but surely they knew they would eventually. The El Camino was so nice. I would get me a room for a week there just hide out and swim and lay in that green grass. The way it looked outside I bet the rooms were very clean and quaint. Thank you for the little day trip.
Cool video JP. Thanks for letting us tag along with you! ✌
cool finds - they sure do have the vintage theme going on and that is a cool attraction -- heck it would grab me passing through for a few nights
Whole different world in Cherokee
Hi! Really enjoyed this trip! Loved everything really! The old motel signs and the abandoned park were really cool! So sad the park is closed. One of my first thoughts was, "wow, now these were the good 'ole days!" Really can't thank you enough for taking us with you to explore places many of us would never see in person!
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Loved it all love the all in one music snippet at the end. Great video JP
Ty
This video was neat just loved the motels,would also stay in one if I was up that way,nice and quiet place as well.Thanks for taking us along again,take care and stay safe.
My pleasure
Love seeing these finds in my home state of NC! The vintage neon motel signs are quite a find. My husband and I just spent three weeks touring around New York state and saw numerous interesting old motels, most of which were still in business.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
God bless them!
Thank you for your service! ❤
The Cherokee lived in houses . There were wooden cabins in a village with a long house in the middle of the whole area with gardens & other things on the outside . Thank you for the interesting video . That is a beautiful area .
You're welcome
Probably for me would be the little abandoned theme park, and the Veterans park. Great video
Good choices
My favorite was the hotel with the trees growing through it! That was neat!
Really like the clip and Thank you for the photo's they really do help but the best part for me was seeing your Awsome shirt ( Hay you guys as!)
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Loved seeing all the old neon signs!
Love the abandoned race car park thing. Its really cool. I liked the vintage signs too!
Ty for watching
Sweet 👍, I LOVE explorin' abandoned places all over the USA JPVideos! My favorite find in yer video was the Tree growin' through two of the Hotel/Motel rooms.
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@@JPVideos81 thanks! 👍👍👍👍
I found the abandoned mini golf course really nice. Great to see the before and after pictures. Rather sad that such a nice place is closed.
The El Camino looked pretty sweet! I just love hearing the birds singing in the background!
At the Veterans park, the rules weren't strict, in my opinion. Common sense seems to be lacking for the past few decades, and it's ashame people need to be reminded.
North Carolina looks very pretty!
Thanx for the great vid, JP! 👍😀🌷
Love the funpark and all the signs were really cool too! The motel overgrown was neat too.
🙂
You don't get to see things like that anymore, everything was interesting and more and more those things are disappearing. Good job JP !
What cool finds 😎😍👌 dad took us all on vacation when us kids were younger, to Cherokee and surrounding areas. North Carolina is beautiful in the fall 😍❤
My favorite part of this video is all of the vintage neon hotel signs 😊🥰💕 you just don't see those anymore and so many of the smaller "mom & pop" places gave way to the bigger chain hotels...so sad 😢😞 I also loved the hotel with the trees growing up through it. Never have seen anything like that 🥰😊💕
Thanks for another awesome video and a couple of great finds 😀👍😊
Y'all take care and stay safe ❤🙏
I live on the other side of the smokies, I love to visit Cherokee. Thanks for the memories.
Panfergold....love it.........thats so cool a tree growing through a home wow. That tree had to be there for years. THAT TREE THROUGH THE HOUSE WAS AWSOME.
I liked the fun park & the motel with the trees growing thru the roof. Thank You for another interesting video
You're welcome
The motel with the trees growing through was pretty neat! Enjoyed the whole video.Thank you! 😊
Very unique
Cherokee Fun Park was the greatest. Hopefully it will reopen soon. The raised go cart track is awesome!
I enjoyed all the sights in this video. Thanks for the trip.