Trip log
Motorhome trip: 102
RVing trip total: 182
Traveling solo: 40
After 6 years working for CDCR, the time had come for me to move on. I came to CDCR with the goal of retiring there and learning as much as I could about GIS (Geographic Information Systems - Basically Mapping). I learned a lot about GIS, enough to know that I had a passion to truly make it a career. I had many wonderful projects that I worked on at CDCR using GIS and learning about Esri software. Esri is the premier provider of GIS technologies and is driven by environmental causes... So for me it is a win-win. In 2019, I felt like I had truly found my "Sweet Spot", because as a member of the GIS team, I was also inducted into the Drone Task force. Their mission was first to explore how to prevent drones from flying into Institutions (AKA Prisons back a decade or so ago). Then, that role was expanded to explore how Drones could be used for assisting in finding prisoners who walked away from work crews and other similar low security activities.
These drone missions were championed by a few in upper management including Russ Nicoles who was the director of Information Technologies at CDCR. However, Tammy Irwin a middle manager saw no value in anything she didn't have a hand in creating, she did everything she could to stifle the GIS and Drone technologies. Both technologies held promise at CDCR until Russ retired at the end of 2019. At that point, Tammy was able to wield more power and kill the drone program and the GIS effort was holding on by a thread. By early 2022, it was obvious that Tammy was bound and determined to finish off the GIS program and it became obvious to me, that if I had a desire to continue working in GIS, I needed to find a different agency to do it at.
In 2018, a gentleman by the name of Isaac Cabrera became the guiding light as the GIO (Geographic Information Officer) for the state of California. Though he did not work for CDCR, he did his best to become known and as a resource to all state agencies for the State of California and in the Counties as well. I met Isaac in 2018 as he was making the rounds to all the agencies. Isaac and I stayed in touch periodically. I had known for a while that GIS was not winning engagement at CDCR, and I thought if I had Isaac as a reference, it might help me to get on board at another agency sometime. As luck would have it, Isaac reached out to me in the spring of 2022 to inform me that there was a promotional opportunity coming up at the agency that he directly over-saw in the near future. I applied for the position and got it! I was brought on board to what was a new team of 4 positions under a new manager.
In order to facilitate the transition, I had to go to Sacramento and turn in my equipment for CDCR, and go to California Department of Technology and pick up my new equipment. So, Remi and I made a speed trip down to Sacramento to facilitate the transition. Interestingly enough, the shelter coordinator for Siskiyou County knew I was making this trip to Sacramento, and asked me if I could transport some cats with me. There was a rescue in Truckee that would come and meet me in Sacramento and complete the transport to Truckee in hopes of helping the cats fine forever homes in Nevada. So, after setting up some kennels in the dinette area of the motorhome, we were well set up to transport the cats.
I stayed in Sacramento for the weekend. I managed to hook up with Carol, Katie and Russell and meet baby Jack for the first time. What a happy little guy he is. Sunday, Remi and I bummed around Sacramento and went and checked out some of my favorite haunts such as the Rail yards, Lake Natomas Regional Park, the American River and the new science center in Sacramento.
On Monday morning I went and picked up my new computer equipment and name badge from California Department of Technology. Once I had my equipment, I packed up the motorhome and headed back to Yreka.
Just prior to my divorce, Carol decided she wanted to get rid of a Chevy Volt that we had for the previous 6 years. It was a great car and it was hard to say goodbye to the Chevy Volt and energy efficiency and green footprint that it had. I've missed that car ever since. Not long ago, someone at the RV park had a new Jeep Wrangler 4XE. I had heard of these, but never seen one "In the wild" as they say.
The 4XE is much the same as a Chevy Volt, a lithium battery, and drive motor as well as a gas engine backup. Though they are engineered completely differently, many of the principles are the same. Well, after being awarded the new position at the California Department of Technology, I went and test drove the Jeep 4XE and fell in love. I decided that I want to have whatever car I have, paid off when I retire. So, I needed to make sure that if I pursued a 4XE, that I could financially afford the monthly payments over the next 5 years. I was surprised to find that the grey Jeep Wrangler was worth $27,000. That made the payments for the new 4XE very possible. So, the day after I returned from Sacramento, I went up to Oregon to Lithia motors and picked up my brand new shiny, 2022 Sarge Green Jeep Wrangler 4XE. I've only had it for a few days, but I love it.
I only have a handful of upgrades I want to do to it like install a tow hitch and trailer lights plug and a set of locking latches for the hood. Fortunately, the car cover from the grey Jeep fits this new one. Also, I'm able to install a charging station on the motorhome so that I can charge the Jeep overnight. All in all, it is a dream come true.
Here is the window to this blogs video.
Safe Travels all!
Eric and Remi too!
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