This trip began under unusual circumstances. During the drive up to Farmington last month, I received a phone call from a company wanting to interview me. The timing was perfect as layoffs and down-sizing were imminent with my current employer. So, I set up the interview and went on with my work trip. A few days after I returned, I went in for the interview and it went well. They called me in for a technical interview the following week and, after passing that, I was offered the position. I had no ill feelings towards my employer, my boss (the VP of IT), or the guys I worked with. But, this new position did more than just ensure a continued paycheck; it was a hefty raise, a promotion, and offered a far more stable and far less stressful environment. In other words: the decision was a no-brainer. I mention all of this because changing jobs was the genesis of this trip up to Chama.

The camera network needed to be repaired again.  It died (for good) the week after I returned from the August trip. I had the replacement gear at home and it had tested out very well. I just needed the time/excuse to make the trip. It made sense to me to make a "quick run" up there between jobs. So, my last day (9/13/19) was planned as a half day so that I could go halfway to Chama (Amarillo) that afternoon. As it turns out, the Vice President (along with most of the team) took me and Michele out for a farewell lunch. I deeply appreciated the gesture and it made leaving all the more difficult. I worked with a lot of really good people and I will miss them a great deal.

After lunch and a lot of goodbye hugs and handshakes, I dropped Michele off at her office and raced north as fast as the idiot drivers that infect Houston would let me. I had an epiphany about 5 hours later: it is NOT a good idea to make a life-altering change (such as leaving a good job) and then drive 1,000 miles away from your family... while having nothing to do but ponder the unknown future and the past left behind. My attempts to focus on the task-at-hand (repairing the Chama camera network) proved mostly futile and my thoughts kept returning to the radical changes taking place in my life and I really just wanted to be at home with my family.

However, I was looking forward to spending a weekend with the guys in God's Country. This time John Cole and Steve Forney made the trek to help. And, as it turns out, I couldn't have done it without them. John did most of the prep and logistical work while Steve assisted me. The efforts of these fine gents allowed me to stay focused on the main objectives. It worked very well and we accomplished all that could be accomplished.
 

Days 1 & 2

Day 3

Days 4 & 5

Days 1 & 2

Day 3

Days 4 & 5