hey all.  i have just arrived in mesa, az.  and after a couple of days of rest and recuperation, and then a day more to find the computer cords to plug this puppy up, i am back!!!!

it took us nearly 3 full days to get from indy to home.  most of the drive was quite nice.  beeeeeeeyoooooootiful country out there.  i'm thinking you guys who live in texas and oklahoma have it pretty good.  

the only bad part of the trip was west of albuquerque, nm.  we were heading west on I40 and climbing in elevation.  we could see the rain clouds ahead of us, but we weren't worried much.  until the rain started turning to snow.  and then ice.  it got so bad that my windshield, wipers, and entire front end of suburban (including the lights, so it didn't matter if i had them on) were coated in at least a 1/2 inch of ice.  we pulled off at the next exit to calm me down (nothing like not being able to see to incite a panic attack) and de-ice the vehicles.

after filling up the gas tanks (didn't want to get stuck with low tanks) we were heading down the on-ramp back to 40, think the rest in downhill and the weather should be getting better.  well, not quite yet.

at the end of the ramp, matt (driving the ryder truck) says into the walkie talkie, "i think there's an accident down here."  and was there.  we stopped on the ramp.  and then 5 cars coming flying up over the top of the hill just behind us and skid and slide all over the road trying to avoid the stopped traffic and the previous crash.  what a mess!  saw at least 3 vehicles smash, cruch, or otherwise make contact with another vehicle.  the old Man up above was definitely keeping an eye out for us that day.  i'm thinking my windshield icing up and our retreat to the exit had some Divine intervention.  no telling how bad we might have had it had we stayed on the interstate.  but we got home safely.

all in all it was a good, safe trip.  aside from the snowstorm, the only other drawback was that we lost all but two of the fish we were transporting.  [:(]  but the anoles and cats are hunky-dory.  [:)]

and finally, i have never seen more patriotism in my life than i did in the 1800+ miles i traveled in those 3 days.  flags and bumper stickers galore.  it did my heart good to see those things.

and i'm glad to be back!

Look on the bright side... it will be your [b]LAST[/b] ice storm for a very long time!

you were gone?

Seriously glad you are well and happy that the lizards and felines and the humans made the trip ok.....

Thanks for the compliment![:D]
We like in these parts!

Welcome back!

BigDozer66

Yepper Arlady, glad you're back and we do like Texas.

Glad you like it too.

It got kinda cold here recently too, but, it'll be over in a day or three.


Cheers

I wonder if the good residents of Jarrel, TX, or any town that's been devestated by a toronado would agree with that.

Glad you had a decent trip, and glad to see you back! [:)]

Indiana misses you though [:(]


Tyler

Dang, ARLady!  Wish I had known you were coming this way.  We could have had dinner or something.  And you could have given your fish a swim in my aquarium while you were here.  What day did you come through?  We're on the north side of Albuquerque, and all we got was a little snow flurry the other day...no ice.  Oh well, next time, maybe.  Sorry about the fish, but glad you made it alright.

AR lady...... ahh, whoosat? [;)]
 

I remeber you guys from the AZ shoot. I'm glad to hear all went well, and that you and Matt worked everything out. Best wishes to you both.

Only when I kept throwing the snowballs and you kept ducking ...

Ted...

I think its hi time we see a pic of the happy couple. I'm curious, anyone else? [:)]

Yup, good luck on your new life, may you be happy as .....whatever

Miss you?

I wasn't even shooting at you!

Welcome to the southwest, ARlady.

i don't know.  i'm not sure i wanna be subjected to the photoshop demons.  [:D]  lemme see what i can dig up.  no promises though.  not even sure if i can still find anything in all these boxes lying around here.

speaking of that is there going to be another shoot then?