USASA NATIONALS!

We came, we saw, we conquered.  Well, some things!

So the driving tally according to my truck was 1900+ miles, 35+ hours of drive time, and wait for it... 109+ gallons of fuel (at $3.50/gallon average).  Go me :P  Left on Saturday and got back yesterday (Friday).  Glad I know I can drive that far in one day still. 

Things I learned:
Audio Books are the BOMB on long drive
I like Qing
I love taking pictures
I love my family and bed <3
Going north is hard on me... WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE COLDER THERE?!
Getting back is bittersweet
You know you're home (Texas) when billboards are talking about chipotle and jalapeno things :D
You can live off of Taco Bell in other states, but its not ideal
Steak and Shake sells burgers.  I refused to eat there on the idea that that was false advertising lol
My truck is my friend and totally capable of being lived out of when needed
Maggie Pryor's new RV is so AWESOME.  I'll sleep in the back with the dogs... don't mind me
I like making friends and meeting up with people all over the country
THERE ARE SOME GORGEOUS DOGS OUT THERE!

OK, enough of that.  I left the state of Texas and marveled over lots of things.  Most importantly are the results I suppose:

• Trip showed in Futurity and Sweeps.  We won our class and also $176!  So that was a definite win :)  In addition, Trip had to go back in for Best in Futurity and he did great, learning to gait in the HUGE 100 x 80 ring and then promptly forgetting about it in Sweeps an hour later.
• Geo Qed with a 97 in Rally Novice B for her title!
• Cole Qed with a 98 (1 point out of a placement) for his title!
• Sutton Qed in Rally Excellent A with a 3rd place for a big rosette and a new slip lead!
• Sutton Qed in Novice B Obedience with a 3rd place for a big rosette and a new slip lead!

Here's our loot from Nationals (minus the check)

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I also took a TON of pictures at the show on Wednesday and Thursday and fell in LOVE with the lens I rented.  Yes, I promptly bought it when I returned home.  Doh.  Here's the link of all the gorgeous dogs I captured:

USASA Nationals, Gray Summit, Missouri LINKAGE

Now the irony... I have to wait to buy the pictures the "official" photographer took of my dogs in the ring and obedience.  *tap tap tap tap...

But seriously, if you have the chance to go to an Aussie Nationals (ASCA or AKC), go!  I'm not a social person and thought I'd be wasting a ton of money, but its super cool and only as frantic and stressful as you make it.  Also, Purina Farms is GORGEOUS!  The new building is so awesome!  I'll post pictures once I sort out where they are :)