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.