Yosemite April 2023

Trip log:  103/183/41

Earlier this year, the California Department of Technology informed it's staff that they have to return to working in the office 1 day a week, regardless of where they live. Now, this is not the first time they have passed down this directive. They passed it down, and then a bunch of key people who live outside of the area quit. So then the agency said, "Ok, only those that live in Sacramento and the surrounding 4 counties have to come in once a week. Then, those live inside Sacramento and the surrounding 4 counties said "Ok, well then we will move outside the area so that we don't have to come in. So, then the rules got changed again to where everyone has to come in, and those that live outside the area have until October to make arrangements of either traveling without compensation or getting a different job. My boss has said they will try to get an exemption, but I'm not holding my breath for that, or even if it is granted, that the whole thing would stick for very long. 

Regardless of what the agency decides, we have all agreed that we would come into the office at least once a month. As a result of the new policy and the schizophrenic way they are handling it, I've started to take a look at options for places to live back down in the Sacramento area. To that end, I decided to make the most out of the monthly meeting trip by going down to Yosemite and spending 7 days at a Thousand Trails park near Yosemite. it was down closer to the office and it would allow me to see Yosemite as well as visit my good friend Stephanie Hoffman who now runs the Humane Society of Tuolumne County. It would also allow me to check out some options in the area. So, after work on Friday the 14th with the Jeep now ready to tow behind the motorhome,  Remi and I set out on a road trip to Yosemite. 

On the first night we drove as far as Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. As you saw in the pictures above, we drove past Mt Shasta and Lake Shasta on the way. It was a beautiful drive. After the first night, we left Rolling Hills Casino and drove to Yosemite. It was a long drive, especially California route 120, which was winding going up to the RV park. What was amazing was how green everything was in the valley before I headed up the hill. Like many of the Thousand Trails parks, this park has also had a lot of its buildings and infrastructure updated recently. It is nice to see that Thousand Trails is putting money into their parks. Even without spending the money on the park, this is an amazingly beautiful location.

I took Sunday to go visit Yosemite and I took Remi with me. I loved the drive into Yosemite. There is so much to see here. The views, from virtually every angle are amazing. There was a fire that approached the west a few years earlier. Though I fully realize that fire is part of the natural order of things. None the less, I am glad the fire didn't make it into the valley. With Remi in tow, I was concerned that there would be limitations as to what I could see at Yosemite, but I wanted to get her out in the car as much as I could. We both need to get out of the motorhome once in a while. 

On Monday and Tuesday of the following week, I worked just as normal, teleworking from the motorhome. On Thursday, I actually went into the office and worked with the team. It turned out to be a longer drive than I thought it would be to get to the office in Rancho Cordova from the park than I thought it would... it took three hours... one way. On Wednesday, and Friday of this week, I went and volunteered at the Humane society of Tuolumne County, where my friend Stephanie is now the director. It was so wonderful to be working for Stephanie again. I walked dogs large and small both days. On Wednesday, Stephanie told me how much of a challenge it is for them to get large breed dogs adopted. So, I took the opportunity to get video footage of 5 of her dogs in hopes that adding the videos to the dogs profiles would help them to get adopted. The weather has been perfect on this trip. I took the opportunity to take the roof off the front of the Jeep so that I could enjoy the weather... it was wonderful. 

On Saturday, I decided i wanted to take the opportunity to see more of Yosemite, but I didn't want to find a place I wanted to go, and not be able to because I had Remi in tow. So on this day, I went to Yosemite solo. I went to explore Lower Yosemite falls and Mirror Lake. I first parked at Yosemite Lodge and plugged the Jeep into free charging station while I went to Lower Yosemite Falls. Then, I drove to Currey Village and parked while I boarded a valley bus that took me to the trail head for Mirror Lake. The lake is just like a mirror and offers some really amazing and reflective views. On my way out of the park, I stopped to take one last look at Yosemite Valley, truly cherishing my visit to Yosemite. 

I found out there was going to be a presentation of the MMBI project to the movers and shakers of the northeastern part of the state at a community center in Chico, on the Thursday the 27th, so I extended my stay a few more days at the Thousand trails Yosemite Lakes park. I left Wednesday after work and drove to Chico and boondocked at the NVADG yard at the airport. I then teleworked at the site until lunch time and then went to the MMBI presentation on the afternoon which was really fascinating. Fun fact, one of the precentors at the event was Sunnie McPeak. She now works for the state of California, but back when I owned a house in Antioch, Sunnie was a County Supervisor. It was also cool to see some of the maps that our team has created. After the MMBI event, I returned to the motorhome, hooked up the Jeep and Headed home. But first, I stopped at a Blue Becon to get the Rig washed. It's always nice to have a clean rig.... every once in a while. 

Here is a link to the video for this episode of the VLOG. 

Safe Travels all.. 

Eric and Remi too! 

Winter adventures February 2023

 Well, I've been anchored down here in Yreka for almost a year now since my return from my four-month road trip, and I find myself fully immersed in animal rescue in my off hours. It helps to serve two purposes, I'm helping homeless animals, but it also allows me to get as much exercise as possible walking dogs 5 times a week. 

All of this activity at the shelter is great, but one must also look to completely unplug on a regular basis. I love hiking and exploring, but this time of year, with snow on the ground in much of the environment around us, "Hiking" is not always something easily accomplished. 

At least once a month, I make a trip to Medford Oregon to obtain some bulk supplies like dog food, granola bars and breakfast cereal. Just prior to Christmas, I was at the Medford Costco, and found that they had, as part of their winter apparel, Snowshoes. I thought to myself, I've always wanted to try snow shoeing. They were only $70 for the set, but I thought, It's the holidays, I need to worry about others more than worrying about myself. On my January trip to Costco, I wandered past the Snowshoe display again, and I thought "What the heck, let's get a set". 

Since then, I have been out twice to snowshoe, and it has been a wonderful experience. I went once to Castle Lake which is northwest of Castle Crags and also up to Goosenest, a collapsed cinder cone from an ancient volcano in the eastern part of Siskiyou County. I have had a blast both times. 

Black butte covered in snow on the way to Castle Lake! 

Remi enjoying her ride! 

Mount Shasta on the way to Goosenest

Goosenest from a distance

Here are links to videos for both of these experiences. 

Here is the video from the Castle Lake snow shoeing trip. 

Here is the video from the Goosenest trip. 

Safe travels all! 

Remi and Eric

The Christmas holidays - 2022

The months of November and December were very busy and a very successful ones. First off, Karen, Mike and myself enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday meal hosted by Mike's brother Chuck and his wife Teri. 

Next, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Remi and I attended the Annual Christmas parade in downtown Yreka. The parade was well attended by members of the community, and it was an absolute blast. There were lots of cars, some bands and loads of first responder vehicles. It was just like the parades many envision in small town America... which is appropriate since Yreka is the quintessential "Small town". 

The holidays are a favorite time of year for me. Not only because of the fine food and the family get togethers, but also because we typically get a break from Fire Season. Also, I love to decorate the motorhome for the holidays as you can see here. 

For Karen's birthday, I took the family to Callahan's which is south of the town of Ashland. It is one of my favorite restaurants ever. The Staff at Siskiyou County Animal Control got me a $300 gift certificate for all of the work I did during the fire season this last year. It was nice to be able to treat my family for all they have done for me in the past. :-) 

One of the cool things that I mentioned in an earlier blog entry was a dog named Randy that was running loose at the Randolph Collier rest area north of Yreka. You may also remember that I took my motorhome The dog had been out there since spring of 2022. Well, the dog was finally captured by Stephanie Hoffman of county Animal Control and Rick Formanek of Rescue Ranch. Well, not long after Randy was captured, she was adopted by a wonderful family in Southern Oregon. 

During this month, one night Remi and I loaded up in the car and went and checked out homes that were decorated for the Christmas holiday, and the homes did not disappoint. This was the first time we had ever done this while living in Yreka, and it was simply a blast. 

Twice in the month of December, I helped transport dogs in need of homes from Siskiyou county Animal Control to South Coast Humane in Brookings Oregon. My first trip was on the 14th of December transporting Zoey, a Great Dane who came into our shelter on Halloween complete with a costume after being found running on the highway with another Great Dane. The other Dane was claimed by its supposed owner, but they did not claim Zoey. Two months later, I was transporting Zoey to Brookings and within a week, she was adopted. 

And a couple weeks later, right after Christmas, I transported three puppies to South Coast Humane because the owner Jenniffer was able to take a few more dogs. It does my heart good to help out these unloved dogs with opportunities to be adopted in areas not quite so overrun with dogs. 

I am truly thankful for my ability to be able to do what I do to help these homeless animals. 

Also, this month, I installed the last of the equipment that is needed on the Jeep in order to be able to tow it behind the motorhome. I installed the braking system which allows the air system on the motorhome to press the brake pedal on the Jeep. As part of the system, there is an emergency braking cylinder that holds extra air. If the Jeep breaks away from the motorhome, the emergency system will stop the Jeep so that it minimizes any damage that might occur. Fortunately, Karen and Mike were willing to let me use their garage to do these upgrades! :-)  As a bonus, they let their dog Woody help me out on my upgrade process. 

Break out the popcorn and make yourself comfortable for the extended edition of this posts video, because it is longer than normal, primarily because I crammed so much into this month. 😁

Safe travels all!

Eric and Remi too!