To be honest, I have never done any video imagery. It just hasn’t appealed to me. So, I am way behind the curve (again).
I think I want a way to easily record some video along my travels. After looking at this video stuff, I realized that I could film the trip and then I could film the subjects that I am shooting . And of course I can capture selfies of me and the dog doing our Art On The Run thing. And with the proper camera, I can even do so in the rain or under water.
The Cadillac of these so called action cameras is the GoPro line. Way too rich for my novice blood. After all, I may not care for this video stuff and toss it into the corner where it’ll sit until I stumble across it years later and sell it at a huge loss on eBay.
Which brings me to this. I picked up an SJ4000 camera with wi-fi for about a third the price of a GoPro. It comes with waterproof housing, all sorts of attachment gadgets and very little documentation. I figure I can experiment with it and learn if it is something I want to add to my bag of tricks.
This is this first video I recorded. The Sj4000 was suction cupped to my dash board of the Honda Fit while I drove up to the parking lot at Brasstown Bald.
I discovered afterwards that I missed one of those pesky clear vinyl protectors they stick to every screen, etc.. This one was covering the lens window in the waterproof housing which I happened to be using (though it wasn’t necessary). Imagine how much better the video might have been if I’d removed it.
Well, it is food for thought, isn’t it? I’m pretty sure I won’t become a threat to the accomplished videographers of the world!
It crossed my mind recently that once we are on the road I won’t have my bowflex handy so I’ll have to find some new ways to exercise. Of course I expect to hike often and keep active but that won’t be enough. I’ll probably refresh my Tai Chi routine but that also won’t be enough.
I tried planking this morning! WOW! I have never, ever exercised without moving and worked so many different muscles. I like it. I can plank in the T.O.A.D. regardless of the weather or where we’re parked.
I will incorporate planking in my mobile exercise routine.
I thought a photograph of the dog and me behind the camera every once in awhile might be good. Having only one DSLR (currently a Nikon D7000) I need a way to capture an image of me using it.
Hey, I have an Apple iPhone and it has a pretty nice camera built in. The newest camera app even has a self timer in it. Do I really want to prop up the camera somewhere and start the self timer and then run to my spot to grab a self image? Not if I can find another way.
I’ve purchased several items to help me accomplish this.
Joby makes a slick little spring loaded device to hold your phone that has a standard tripod mount. I can put it on my monopod if I want and shoot a selfie from more than an arm’s length away 🙂
While I was at it, I found a Joby GP3 Gorillia Pod, a flexible tripod that will hold up to 6 pounds. I can use it for both the iPhone and maybe my Nikon. We’ll see. I ordered it from a Chinese outfit who doesn’t have the best feed back regarding shipping times. I’ll let you know how it works out.
I also ordered a SPARK Electronics Bluetooth remote trigger for the iPhone. It will save me from running back and forth, setting the timed release on the iPhone.
If you decide to purchase either of these items, please use the Amazon link I provide here. I’ll earn a tiny fee for referring you which will help with traveling expenses.
Thanks
Paul.
Each day we’re inching ever closer to departure: Heartland Road Tour.
Yesterday I ordered spark plugs and plug wires. The current plugs have around 80,000 miles and the wires have never been changed. Replacing them may just bump my fuel economy a bit. Although I’m not complaining about the 17 to 20 mpg I’m getting now.
This morning I washed and waxed the roof. I figure that the T.O.A.D. Should look good for the shakedown run to Florida in a few weeks. I’ll start on the sides tomorrow. Oh, while I was up there, I snugged down the rotating television antenna. It was pretty loose on its pivot. I’ll probably never use it as I have no TV in there but I figured it should still work properly.
I think that’s it for the day. I’m off to a friend’s place to cut and split some firewood.
I need your help!
Late March or early April I’m heading west. And then north, east and south.
This is a photography trip and the dog and I are traveling in the RV. I am looking for input for places to visit, people to meet and places to stay.
I’d like to visit Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah on the first leg of the journey. then maybe up to the North West for a while. After that, I think it would be fun to hop scotch across the Canadian border while heading east to check out New England.
We are looking for national and state parks where we can camp while exploring. However, the dog and I are perfectly comfortable with driveway camping along the way. So, if you or someone you know has space for a small T.O.A.D. (22′ Winnebago Rialta) in the driveway, we’re happy to make new friends, meet people and pick up a bit of local intel along the way. Maybe you can direct us to a great place to shoot some photographs.
Finally! I’ve spent a fair amount of time going through the T.O.A.D. getting it ready to ride. I’m feeling pretty good about it’s mechanicals and am looking forward to getting on the road for the Heartland Road Tour. I want to embark on the trip late March or early April. YAY!!!
This gives me the whole winter to research locations, accommodations and people around North America to add to the itinerary. Uh, that’s the itinerary that is currenty a clean slate.
Speaking of accommodations, Dog and I are perfectly comfortable with driveway camping along the way. So, if you or someone you know has space for a small T.O.A.D. (22′ Winnebago Rialta) in the driveway, we’re happy to make new friends, meet people and pick up a bit of local intel along the way. Maybe you can direct us to a great place to shoot some photographs.
I’d like to visit Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah on the first leg of the journey. then maybe up to the North West for a while. After that, I think it would be fun to hop scotch across the Canadian border while heading east to check out New England.
Gosh! Can I squeeze all that into a single Road Tour? Well, I have the winter to figure that out, huh?
The Achilles heel of the Winnebago Rialta is its transmission. I’ve been especially nervous with this because it has 150,000 miles on it and none of the service receipts (I have a lot of them) indicated that the transmission fluid was changed. Yikes!
The reason it is the Achilles heel is this: VW (the chassis builder) bolted a tiny metal box about 9″x6″ directly to the transmission that allowed the fluid to flow in one bolt, through 4 small tubes and then out the other bolt. They connected the box to the engine coolant lines to control the temperature. All this accomplished was to insure that the transmission fluid was hotter than the engine. Much hotter at times.
I removed the “box” and installed a cooler kit purchased from Makco Transmission Parts. Now the fluid flows from the transmission to a separate air cooled unit mounted in front of the radiator.
Holy cow! The transmission fluid is now substantially cooler than the engine coolant and it fluctuates independently of the engine temperature. For example, when driving to my house after everything had warmed up I used to see a transmission fluid temperature of 250 degrees as I created the last hill before my driveway. Now I am seeing 168 degree transmission fluid at that spot while the engine temperature is around 200 degrees.
With this cooler installed, I am no longer nervous about stressing the transmission and am looking forward to getting in the road.
Ciao
Paul
So, Arts In The Park has come and gone. The weather was a mixed bag of tricks, rain one minute and sunshine the next. In spite of the rain, we had a good crowd and I met some great folks including new neighbors.
The ground became soggy enough to turn into mud and the art center spread hay which only helped marginally.
However, it was warm enough for shorts and as always the air was fresh and the mountains were beautiful. I’m sure the people who came from out of town enjoyed their weekend.
Thanks for stopping and visiting.
While my mind has been wandering across the country exploring places to visit on the Heartland Road Tour, I’ve been right here at home getting the Rialta (T.O.A.D. check out the name in another post here on the site) ready to roll.
I’ve changed the transmission fluid which is no small feat thanks to V.W. not including a dipstick or any reasonable way to add or check fluid.
I located a master calendar in Great Britian and now have it here to install.
I bought a transmission cooler and will install and the master cylinder it in January when I visit Florida. Oh, and spark plugs too.
There was a rust problem on the post between the passenger door and windshield. I guess that part faced the Gulf of Mexico at its former home. This has now been repaired and painted. I didn’t want it to deteriorate.
As you see, I’ve been busy making sure the TOAD will be road worthy when we depart for parts unknown.
On Monday, September 15th we made our official inaugural excursion in the T.O.A.D. (Winnebago Rialta).
We arrived at Standing Indian Campground in the Nantahala Forest of North Carolina. It was a darn steep grade we climbed getting there and the transmission fluid temperature was entirely too hot by the time we crested the mountain. I think it survived but a transmission cooler is now high on the list of things to do to the T.O.A.D.
We found site #14 at the Headwaters of the Nantahala River right away and put boots on the ground. Boy, the temperature of that water was chilly. I checked and it was 58 degrees.
Since Standing Indian offers no hookups for RVs, setup was simple. Back T.O.A.D. into place, open the door and windows and crank out the awning.
#14 is a great site. It has no space for neighbors on one side and the other side is a nice distance from anyone. Walk right out the back of the site and up a small hill and you are at the bathrooms. And nice bathrooms they are, clean, concrete, wonderfully private showers with hot water and convenient.
One of the community fresh water spigots just happen to be right ouside the site so I used very little of my on board 45 gallon fresh water supply. That was nice.
HeyLeigh and I went for a walk around the loop to check things out where we met our camp hosts, Judy and Gerald Morgan. They also operate the camp office/general store. They gave me some great information and maps outlining where the trails are and general layout of the camping areas.
What was left of the afternoon, we sat at the site and relaxed. I with an Irish whiskey of course and HeyLeigh with a dog treat. Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed having ice in the freezer to pour my Jameson over. Our one pot dinner was cooked outside on the 1 burner Coleman propane stove. After, I read a bit and by the time we turned in, I had to close the windows. It was pleasantly cool and we slept well. Monday was a delightful day.
Tuesday morning we awoke around 05:30. I put a kettle of water on the stove in the RV. A short time later thanks to hot water and a coffee press we sat outside and enjoyed our morning coffee – pretty much the same as at home. Ahhhh Life Is Good!
At first light we hiked over to the Group Campsites and explored Kimsey Creek. The campsite area is in a glen where large and obviously old apple trees thrive. I was amazed by the number of apples lying on the ground. I’m certain the bears and other critters love that place.
Apples at the group campsites
When we returned home to the T.O.A.D. I scrambled some eggs and sausage with green peppers for breakfast. Oh, and another round of coffee was in order too.
After breakfast I tested the generator. It took way too long to warm up and had difficulty carrying the load when I turned on most of the appliances. Fortunately it wasn’t a big deal and I let it go for the time being. After giving it some thought (and reading the manual) I decided it was running too rich at the altitude we were. After I returned home to Blairsville, I checked it out and tweaked the carburetor. Bingo! No more problems.
Next we hiked back to Kimsey Creek. This time I brought a pan along with me. Kimsey Creek is well known for its gemstones and rubies, sapphires and garnets can be found if you look in the right places. I found lots of tiny garnets. It is amazing how every handful of gravel from the creek bed is littered with bright red pieces of garnet. I didn’t find any rubies or sapphires though. Well, I might have tossed them back being as how I haven’t a clue what they should look like in the raw. We were un-plugged entirely, we had no cellular coverage or other form of internet. I couldn’t research them online while I was there. Next time I’ll bring reference material. Lots of it!
We also hiked along several of the other trails in the area which are native and natural (not unlike living on the national forest back home). The late afternoon once again brought the pleasure of an Irish whiskey over ice. This time it was accompanied by a delightful Ybor City cigar. Did I mention that Life Is GOOD?
Dinner was a warmup of Monday’s dinner which was just as good the second time around. I lit the single mantle Coleman propane lamp and settled in with a good book for the evening. The weather was perfect, we didn’t encounter any annoying insects and the silence IS golden.
Once again I brewed coffee in the morning and we sat outside enjoying the early dawning of the day. This time I headed out with the camera to try and catch some early, first light photos. Upon return it was eggs and sausage and then a stroll around the camping area.
We struck the colors and broke camp around 11:00. I chose a different route for the return trip. I didn’t feel like riding the brakes all the way down that mountain. We went over to Franklin and picked up 441 south through Dillard to Clayton GA where we turned onto 76 which takes me right back home through Hiawassee and Young Harris. It was a peaceful drive.
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