Greg Cook

Richard, I was browsing YouTube and came across a video you did about the John Day River. I saw that you have 395 subscribers (now 396).

It would be a great idea if you included a link to your YouTube Channel when you post on the Savanna 65 Cozy Corner Chat.

Everyone wins you get more viewers and your classmates get to see more of your amazing work!

Jerry Labuda

Another great job Richard. Thanks

Greg Cook

Jerry Labuda

Very interesting Greg, good post.

Richard Maurer

Another virtual visit to Oregon, this time to Cape Blanco on the southern Oregon coast.  As suggested by Greg Cook, I will also mention that I have other travel videos on my YouTube channel, Northwest Camper Van Travels at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTuAdrx622fOIaae4byOlQ.

Greg Cook

Richard, as a subscriber to your YouTube channel I watched this video earlier today (and left a comment to help your ranking). I was fascinated by two things: 1. The coastal rock formations that I had never seen before and 2. Your cinematography, So many different camera angles, had me wondering how a one man show was able to do that with himself included in the videos. Great Job! Looking forward to the next one.

Richard Maurer

Greg, thanks for the very nice comments both here on this forum and on YouTube.  Yes, the rock forms on the Oregon coast are amazingly varied.  Most of the rocks are volcanic basalt that came from massive lava flows produced by  volcanoes far to the east in central Oregon.  The lava often flowed over relatively soft sedimentary rock.  Where there were cracks, valleys, holes in the sedimentary rock, the flowing lava filled in the depressions.  When the soft sedimentary rock was washed away by ocean waves, it left the varied shapes of basalt.  Sometimes the shapes are almost symmetrical, nearly geometric.  Other times the shapes seems somewhat tortured.  Occasionally the rocks are almost whimsical as if from a some mystical story.  In any case, usually interesting.

Shooting video from multiple angles helps keep things interesting.  But as you recognize, it takes some work for a solo traveler to capture things from of different angles.  Especially if you want to capture yourself in some of the videos.  It is my intention that the videos are about the places I am visiting, not focused on me.  But it also occurred to me early on that having a person in the frame provides scale and context.  And also perhaps adds some connection to the traveler and the process.  One approach that I have been using for some time is to place the camera on a tripod.   I can capture a view of scenery and then walk, bike or drive into the scene.  It takes a little time to set up, but it is easy.  More recently, I have been using a drone which of course provides a lot more flexibility in placing the camera.  I really like using the drone and getting the kinds of video that can be achieved with it.  Unfortunately it cannot be used everywhere.  Sometimes it simply isn't practical.  For instance, I don't fly the drone when there are high winds.  Other times drones are prohibited.  For the present I am trying to focus on visiting places where I can include drones in my travel videos.

Greg Cook

Thanks for the insights! Do you have a Drone pilot's license? According to some people's interpretations if you receive income from your videos you have to have a license. I noticed you have ads on your YouTube channel, I'm wondering if that would be considered income which required the license.

I'm thinking of monetizing the drivers on AZ Hwy 347. Some of these folks are crazy! I could create videos of some of the driving habits on this road. There are at least 2-3 accidents every day. Anytime you mix folks who are driving 85-90 in a 65 zone with the semi-truck traffic it would definitely make for entertainment.

Keep up the good work on your videos!

Richard Maurer

My YouTube channel is not monetized, I receive no money.  At one time, YouTube only included ads on channels that were monetized.  However, for some time YouTube has run ads on non-monetized channels.  If you are interested, there are a number of web sites that allow you to determine if a YouTube channel is monetized and many of these sites can also estimate income received.  My use of the drone is just for enjoyment.  Although I probably could monetize the channel, I am not going to do that.  So I fly the drone under the exception for recreational use and therefore do not require a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.  I have taken The Recreational UAS Safety Test which is required for recreation use and I carry proof of completing the test.  

Greg Cook

I'm not surprised that you have all the bases covered. I didn't know that YouTube had monetized and non-monetized categories.

The reason I asked was not to question you but because there's a guy on YouTube who provides updates on Lahaina after the fire. We've been to Lahaina a few times and his local knowledge (like you in your videos) helps put everything into context. He mentioned he got his drone pilot's license through an online course so I was curious if you had done the same thing.

Keep up the good work!

Greg Cook

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Rich, I enjoyed the Cape Blanco video very much! What a beautiful place to visit. I agree with Greg, your cinematography is outstanding… You are over, under, around, and through every vista! My first grandchild will be graduating from The Ohio State University this year and looking at an Oregon college to do graduate work. So It may turn out that I get out your way eventually...

Richard Maurer

Joan, it is great to hear from you.  Thanks for the nice comments about the Cape Blanco video.  I really enjoyed visiting that part of the Oregon coast.  And it is just splendid that you have a grandchild graduating from Ohio State University and looking at graduate programs.  That's quite a journey in time and space from our Savanna days.  There are a number of good graduate programs in Oregon,.  It would be great if events proceed so that you make it out to Oregon in the future.

Richard Maurer

Another Oregon travel video, this one to a lake high in the Cascade Mountains.  It is great place to paddle a kayak and view the mountains.

Greg Cook

Richard, once again another great effort. Beautiful scenery helps to tell the story of your destination, but the cinematography and film editing get the Oscar.

How do you get drone video showing your van from above? You're not droning and driving are you? I've heard that's illegal in some states.

Thanks for keeping the party going!

Richard Maurer

Greg, thanks for the nice comments.  The drone has a number of autonomous flight modes.  One is a "follow" mode.  I put the drone in a position with a good view of the van.  Then I put the controller in the correct mode and on the controller screen I draw a box around the van image.  The controller locks on the van image.  When I drive off, the van follows with no input from me.  For this activity I select a side road with very little traffic so that I can go slow and pull over if necessary.  It is also possible to put the controller in a mode where the drone stays stationary, but the camera autonomously follows a subject. 

Greg Cook

Thanks for the insight Richard. You've obviously spent a lot of time learning how to drone.

Is the next step adding a Predator to your drone fleet? That would make for some fun videos.

Jerry Labuda

Once again great job Richard. Always interesting. Thanks for sharing.  

Richard Maurer

Greg, I like my small drones, under 250 grams (that's just a little more than half a pound).  But if you had a spare million $ or so and wanted to make a REALLY big impact, the Predator drone (aka reaper) could be one approach.  Although "follow me" mode with a Predator would be just a little too exciting.

Greg Cook

I've sure gotten old!

I have outlived my feet and my teeth.

I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes.

I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, and take 40 different medications that

make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.

Have bouts with dementia.

Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.

Can't remember if I'm 75 or 92.

Have lost all my friends.

But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.

Greg Cook

I went to my primary care physician and she said I might be experiencing "destinesia". That's where you get to where you wanted to be but can't remember why.

Kathleen Daulton (Dacey)

Hi Everyone and especially Richard and Greg.  Thanks you two for keeping our Cozy Corner Chat going. I don't post very often but I do enjoy your humor Greg and the beautiful videos you have recently been sending Richard.  I am also impressed with your photograpy and narratives.  Your voice sounds the same as I remember it from school.  Very smooth and calming. I have also enjoyed the lovely musical duets you and your wife share with us.  Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday recently.  I forget to look at that section. I had a wonderful birthday "month" with lots of fun activities with family and friends...The Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival, the beach, concerts on the lake in front of my patio, long lunches out... Summer is my favorite season.  I am so glad I did not have to go back to school again this year!!! Retirement is the best.  Thank you Anita Dunn for being such a faithful birthday well wisher.  That is super thoughtful of you. I noticed that Linda Eng updated her "now" photo.  Very cute.  I wonder if that is your granddaughter in the background.  Thank you Nancy Anderson Madeira for keeping our website online.  It is good to stay in touch. 

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Hi Rich, Kosmer Lake, another winner of a vacation video! There is such beautiful scenery, I could use it for my meditation time. And you're quite sturdy as a kayaker; did you bring that kayak with you? I also enjoy your dialogue with Greg about the drones. They are so lightweight. I suspect wind could be a factor at times. Very interesting topography that one/two lakes would be divided by a long winding channel. It reminds me of the Strait of Magellan dividing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Probably because the book I'm reading for my Book Club, The Wager, is about a shipwreck, mutiny, and murder in that  area but around the 1742 timeframe. It's a very engaging mystery about how the survivors got separated, how the angry ocean gave them a battle, and they all have different stories to tell, if you're interested. And I say ditto to Kathleen, it’s nice to stay in touch!

Richard Maurer

Thanks for the positive feedback about the videos, it is appreciated.  I love visiting the many wonderful natural places in the Pacific NW.  And I enjoy sharing the journey.

Joan, yes, I bring the inflatable kayak with me.  The kayak folds up to a reasonably compact package that can be stored inside my camper van.  It makes it possible to get out on the water and see places that wouldn't be reachable otherwise.  The book you are reading, the Wager, sounds interesting.  I am always looking for things to read.  I intend to give it a try.  It is apparently a very popular book as my local library estimates that my hold will take about 18 weeks until I can check out the book.

Greg Cook

Thanks for the shout out Kathy. 

A real conversation taking place on CCC, that's how these things are supposed to work. How often does one get to chat with others with whom we have so much in common? I hope this inspires more of our classmates to get involved and keep this site going for another 10 years.

Sandee and I were invited to attend a charity steak fry by Jerry LaBuda. He's one of the folks making it happen, he's also the music director for the band Warner Express who perform each year.

Jerry and I were catching up and it occurred to us that 2025 will be the 10-year anniversary of our 50th Savanna anniversary. They say time flies when you're having fun so I wondered what other fun things others have done in the last 10 years? (not all but just 1 or 2 that stand out)

For me 2017 was a memorable year. I did two things that I don't think even existed in 1965.

Sandee and I circumnavigated Key West on a personal watercraft.

I had a blast not sure my passenger agrees.

I don't know if it was too late to be considered a midlife crisis but it's something I'll always remember (as long as the Prevagen holds out)