Happy GIS Day

Day 50
Methven Rest Day

Today we awoke to snow…in the mountains. The snow line was very low and the cold southerly was blowing. Why move on?
On another note: Happy GIS Day! What the ? – what is GIS Day? Well, sit back, relax and I will tell you all about it.
GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. In simpler terms, GIS is computerized mapping. It combines the study of Geography and the technology of computers and software. GIS has the ability to make maps and analyze data. Before we decided to go bicycle touring I was “doing” GIS as a profession. I worked for a county government (Eagle County) in the mountains of Central Colorado. I was part of a top-notch department that mapped everything from property boundaries to mountain bike trails and analyzed things like water and transportation. To me, GIS has been a very exciting career and I hope to continue when we return. In the meantime, I’ve been incorporating GIS into our travels. Using a GPS unit and ArcMap software, I have been tracking our progress and compiling data at the end of each day. In the long run I hope to create a multi media presentation of our journey.
People celebrate GIS Day by hosting and taking part in different kinds of events. Some people go to schools and teach children about GIS, some businesses open their doors to the public to show how this technology is used in their daily routine.
So… GIS Day is a day to celebrate geography and GIS technology and its utility in the world.
LK
ps – yes, I am a geek.