Well, will I ever run out of things to video?  But it’s just been a while since I shared with you how everything is progressing.  Also, I want to share some hints to help you enjoy YouTube.  The first h

int is that along the bottom of the screen is a red line.  On some videos it is broken up into “chapters” that will allow you to skip parts you do not want to watch or listen to.  You can click on any part of the line, it will take you to that topic part of the video.  There is also a “table of contents” in the description with times if you are looking for something special, or just want to skip around the video for your pleasure.  YouTube is always changing and “Improving” things.  So I thought that might be something you weren’t aware of yet. I am having a minor fight with YouTube because some of the comments viewers post on my videos are not getting to me or the comments page.  They say its something the viewer or I did wrong, or the comments were removed for violation of terms of service.  But I see many in my “Notifications Email” and so I know what they say and who sent them and I talk to people who say they wondered what happened.  But YouTube doesn’t want to explore the problem, they just want to make excuses.  This will continue until I get a real answer or until they block my channel (You never know).

Retirement and Future RVs

I have come to the point where I have a limited duration of  time at my current work, and soon to have unlimited time to travel and video.  Retirement is coming up fast.  Possibly before the end of this year (2022).  At which time I need to decide where will I go, how far, and for how long. And, what will I do about my House.    I’ve considered doing an “Air BnB”, or “Vrbo”,  but its currently a Bachelor pad with a dog kennel inside. Not a spiffy guest house.  There is a lot of work and redecoration to get that up and happening. And for all that work who knows if it would ever actually get rented out.  I could look for a roommate, but I’m not really even looking for a “partner” much less roommates. So lots to think about there.

There is also the question about the Aliner. I love my Aliner, and All that I have done, and there is much more I want to do to it.  I need a clean out in the water tank, and install a power lift for the bed, a bigger bed, an awning, some more caulking repairs (Always more caulking repairs).  I’d like to add additional solar and another LiFePO4 battery.  Adding a way to carry a bike and maybe a kayak (for Akela of course).  By the time this gets edited and posted some of this may already be done,  or not.  It’s the reason you should never buy an Aliner, so much to do, so much fun to enjoy, we should be miserable while we are here on earth!  Happiness is the devils playground!   J

So, this isn’t supposed to be a total brain dump of all that’s on my mind, sorry if I was getting boring.  Old men are like that.   But I did want to review the channel for anyone who might be interested in starting a channel or working on growing their own channel.   I can see that some of my subscribers have YouTube channels that are growing, so I am impressed and glad we can share our experiences.  My Channel has been a regular weekly part of my life now for 7 years.  I have over 500 videos, and some I’m pretty proud of.  The ones with my sons are great memories,  certainly those with the “boys” are especially rewarding, though I’m sorry I never did get a video of one of the many times Caesar got skunked.  I’m sure that would have been a memorable video! 

The Channel is definitely the motivation to go to some great places, like Roan Mtn., Tenn, Seneca Rocks, West Virginia, White Sulfur Springs W.Va, and the National Forests and State Parks  throughout NC, Ga, Va, & Tn.  It’s giving me a whole new opinion of Georgia. The people appear to be much nicer than the politicians!  And, YouTube has definitely got me planning my future for travel to California and along the northern Border of the US.  And I will admit, I might have continued to do this channel and the videos with just 100 subscribers,  but it is really motivating to have 9000. Having engaged subscribers makes me want to do better quality,  more variety, reach out further, and try new topics.  I know my subscribers, and viewers, will let me know what they like and what they want. 

I have time for Viewers!

It’s especially super nice to meet viewers.  Even though I’m often with my head in a cloud fog trying to get some video clip done, it just blows my mind that I could meet a person in real life who actually knows me from the internet.  What an interesting time and world we live in.  (Guess I need to erase some early internet activities when I was younger)

So as of right now I’m almost to 9000 Subscribers,  so about 1100 a year, fairly steady.  I see some of the channels I watch get big spikes and go from 500 or 2000 subscribers to 25000, or 35000 in a few weeks. I know there are “Promoters” you can join to up your game a little, but I’m happy doing it the way I’m doing it.  I am looking forward to the time when I “retire” from my full time salary job into  full time YouTube & Akela Job.    HHhhmmmm ….  I may have to get Akela someone to play with.

Money and The Future

For money, YouTube is a task master with a very tight hand.  For the last year, I’ve gotten around $200 a month for all the videos and travel and editing I do.  Each 15minute video takes about 4 1/2 hours to edit, so let’s say 4 videos a month. I’m earning almost $11/hr. Not counting the actual time it takes to do all the video, and camera costs. And let’s not count the 3 drones I’ve lost, or the 5 camera’s I’ve moved into for better sound or video quality.  I’m finding out that I  need a new Computer to do 4k and expand to 5k or 360 video. I’m really very jealous of America’s Parks and Randy’s new 360 camera toy.  If I could just teach Akela to use it!  

But, for the immediate future of the Channel, I plan to keep things going for at least 2 more years.  I’ll be retired in there somewhere, and traveling to the Redwoods and Sequoia’s if they are still there.   I’m sure there will be at least a 100 videos between there and here, so much to look forward to.  Road Videos are always the best.  Also I want to get some merchandise out. (I need Christmas gifts for my family)   Coffee mugs,  Tee Shirts, Hats. So look forward to that(Maybe 2022).  And I also will be doing some Live streams on Youtube, because I need some good interaction with the tribe!  I love comments, but live interaction is so much better.

I also want to do more interviews in campgrounds and with RV owners.  I want to get more interactive with people.  I was going to do that this year, but the COVID stigma force people to remain too far apart to do a good job.  But in 2022 I will be interviewing Hosts and Campers in all my locations.  Maybe we’ll do a “Jay Walking” segment like Jay Leno used to do.

Anyway, just some random thoughts and ideas.  Glad to have you along and I look forward to having more time to spend on this blog as well as on more videos to chat about here too.  I really need to visit my twitter and facebook accounts more often, too.  My Social media skills are really lacking!  And time keeps marching on! 

Have a Great Holiday Season!

Rick & Akela.