The Guinea Pigs-A-Go-Go Rescue Railroad Trip Jackie, Becky, Sophie, and Oreo (faithful companion) set off across the country on Monday, August 5th. The album starts the Sunday evening, prior to the trip, with final preparations. They returned safe and sound Friday at 5:30pm on August 16th. An 11-day, 5700-mile trip! One pig was brought back from the mid-west to go to Vancouver, Canada. One pig got mixed up and didn't make his destination and so will be finding a great new home in the Bay Area after touring the States!
Date(s): August 4, 2002. 1 - 214 of 214 Total. 6200 Visits.
1 The NIGHT BEFORE Sunday, Aug 4th Darkness is approaching, we are all very busy. Finally took a minute to grab a camera and get some candids.
2 Seems peaceful Looking down the back lot. The Animal Control vehicles are all in, the piggie barn at the end seems quiet.
3 A look out the RV door Just some local scenery. The bay breeze is what keeps us cool at PHS -- MOST of the time.
4 A look in . . . Becky is busy making arrangements in the RV. It's parked against the fence with difficult door access--in part to keep folks from poking in.
5 Make preparations Becky and Leah, busy prepping the RV for the tomorrows bon voyage!
6 Leah Leah checks out the cages
7 Jim Jim in the back, working on cages, the mess is up front!
8 Jim Hi from Jim, he noticed the flash!
9 Bob and Jim They took control of getting the cages travel ready!
10 The inside scenery! Pigs get settled in. The pigs were loaded and spent the night in the RV so we didn't have to deal with that in the morning. A number of squabbles had to be sorted out.
11 A pigger peaks out! Hey! Let me outa here!
12 The cages These cages were all custom outfitted with Coroplast. The entire Coroplast production line were some photos worth taking that we didn't have the time to get!
13 More special cages This is how the piggies traveled.
14 Top deck More piggies on top, too.
15 Out the front As parked in the back.
16 Relaxing in situ The pigs didn't take long to settle in.
17 More pigs in cages
18 Munching A piggie munches fresh hay.
19 Well hello!
20 Side of a cage!
21 Jim, is that you?!
22 The Marchioro cages Becky and Kara could not say "Marchioro," the name of these cages, to save themselves! Becky had her name for them and Kara called them "Marachino' as in the cherries!
23 Cages EVERYWHERE!
24 Custom made "stack" cages Making these was quite a feat. Jim and Bob made a lot of them. They are actually two wire cages integrated into one two story cage. Pigs on the top and pigs on the bottom! Won't cleaning these be fun?!
25 Leah and a pigger
26 Kara
27 Becky, Leah and Kara Oh, God! We were trying to match this pig to it's picture. Easier said than done!
28 Loving a pig
29 "Let me have a turn!"
30 Too many mother hens!
31 Application and photos. A copy of the entire "Adoptables Album" was cut up into individual pigs. Then we stapled the pigs onto the applicant they were going to. Actually worked quite well! These lucky pigs were on their way to Rachel in WI.
32 Organized chaos!
33 Not so organized chaos!
34 Becky and Kara's leg
35 LOTS of Lixit water bottles! At one point in the evening, Jim was using a Lixit water bottle for HIS water. Funny thing is... none of us even gave it a second thought!
36 Kara, Becky and Jim We were all busy doing "something!" Notice the push pin smile face on the cork board!
37 "She's getting WHAT pigs!?
38 Becky in the "bathroom" area We even had cages built into the shower of the RV.
39 Pink piggie ear
40 An RV with a view
41 Meanwhile, back at the barn...
42 Custom made tub cages Jim and Bob fashioned these tubs into temporary cages for the pigs on their way to Rover.
43 The "medical" table This is where all the pigs received their Ivermectin, Advantage and other medical treatment.
44 Moving into Rover
45 A bowl for every cage! Bob made the official announcement that there was no more "crockery!"
46 INCOMING! All of the CareFresh was loaded under Rover. Leah in the driver's seat, Becky ducking for cover.
47 More cargo We were all SO TIRED!
48 There's a latch here somewhere
49 "Do you think it will all fit?
50 The SEND OFF! Monday, Aug 5th At the Peninsula Humane Society
51 Becky with Piggie
52 Becky and Elly Admiring the little guy
53 Becky and Elly Too cute to resist
54 Becky, Teresa, Reporter, Elly The reporter was from the SF Chronicle
55 Telling some kind of story
56 Evening Magazine Out to film the story! AND they filmed their entire 1/2 hour segment from this location. It aired the next Tuesday evening.
57 More Evening Magazine
58 Filming Evening Magazine Filming more of their story.
59 Teresa and Scott
60 Dynamic Duo?
61 Scott intros the Cavy Spirit Team
62 Ignorance is Bliss Little did Jackie know what she was in for on the trip!
63 Hey, we're ready to go! Or so we thought!
64 Into the wild blue yonder?
65 Jackie on Center Stage
66 Jackie chips in . . . where Teresa leaves off. One way or another, we get the messages of adoption & guinea pigs across to whomever is listening!
67 Whoohoo!
68 We didn't pay them, really!
69 Our fans! Kind of?
70 Awwww The Animal Camp kids at PHS this summer really chipped in to help send us on our way!
71 Does it get any better than that?
72 Wait for me!
73 Rover--ready and waiting Or waiting anyway!
74 Rover Those cat eyes! Too bad we couldn't repaint them.
75 On the road!
76 Pulling in to Salt Lake City Tuesday, August 6th At the SLC Humane Society
77 Tiffini & Sunny Our SLC adopters
78 Tiffini & Becky Tiffini and her new pigger with Becky.
This photo made the Salt Lake City paper as photo of the day!
79 Off the RV at last!
80 The unveiling of their new babies!
81 Becky In a good mood as always! Happy at the first stop.
82 On board in SLC According to Sunny, 'Cages were stacked in every nook and cranny. Very Impressive!'
83 More cages I believe the two in foreground are sitting a top the loo!
84 On board Smiling! Not driving!
85 Photo shoot That is the San Jose Mercury News photographer.
86 Tiffini posing a pigger
87 Is Jackie primping for the press? Jackie gives one of her insightful interviews in SLC.
88 SLC Media LOTS of media were waiting for us in SLC thanks to Sunny.
89 SJ Mercury News Photographer The photographer for the San Jose Mercury News takes Tiffini's picture.
90 The Reporter for the SJ Mercury News Sunny gives an interview to Tracy from the San Jose Mercury News. Sunny was an articulate spokesperson for the plight of these and other rescued gps.
91 Sunny and Shawn Sunny and her stepson Shawn hold their new boys while giving a TV interview to a SLC station.
92 Sunny and Sophie Sunny and Sophie finally get a chance to pose for Becky!
93 Piggie Stars The piggers were the real stars in SLC and everywhere we went.
94 Tiffini and her new girl! Tiffini is the BEST mom for her new SLC girl!
95 Sophie posing a pigger
96 Sophie in a quiet pig moment
97 Rover adjustments
98 The Mirror Problem! Somewhere in Nebraska, the ladies lost the rear view mirrors in extremely high winds. The replacements were held together with bungie cords!
99 Jay joins in North Platte, NE Jay was flown out to North Platte at the last minute to help with the very stressful driving of the RV. He joined the ladies and did the bulk of the driving for the rest of the trip!
100 Jay and Rita Rita rides shotgun with Jay!
101 Rover arrives in OMAHA, Nebraska Friday morning, August 9th Jenny (Nurgle online) meets the Crew in Omaha.
High winds and problems in Nebraska caused a delay, but they started making up time.
102 Jenny says HI! Jenny (AKA Nurgle) was a welcomed sight in Omaha, NE. They wanted her T-shirt!
103 Jenny and her crew
104 Another shot of Jenny's Crew
105 Becky on Board in NE
106 Jackie and Becky and a new crew member?
107 Jay looks on He's just glad he's not driving!
108 Oreo owns the floor
109 Jenny's crew on board
110 Main cage section in front
111 Back cages left
112 Back cages right
113 Sophie and company You can't touch this!
114 On board Jenny's darling kids enjoyed meeting the piggers.
115 Jenny Another great mom for these piggers!
116 It only LOOKS like we're checking the sex
117 Des Moines, Iowa with Julie Friday afternoon, August 9th
Julie greets her new piggies! This photo was in the Des Moines newspaper.
118 Madison, WI Saturday afternoon, August 10th
119 Happy Campers
120 Madison, WI
121 Rachel from Baraboo! Rachel in the unbearable heat of Madison. Note the bags of produce brought by Rachel and other members of the public in WI.
122 Madison, WI
123 Madison, WI Sophie says goodbye to one of her favorites. That was a tough one.
124 NBC in Madison The NBC crew at Madison
125 Jay gets to visit home! Jay and his mom in Madison (and Rita).
126 A nice visit with Mom Jay and Mom catch up.
127 Jay at his lake This is a lake Jay and his family visited when he grew up. Sorry Jay! Can't remember the name! Powell?
128 Jay's Nostalgia Trip They all enjoyed the Jay Nostalgia trip. They learned LOTS of interesting things about him!!
129 Joliet, IL Saturday evening, August 10th Cavy Spirit meets Critter Corral! Becky, Sophie, Jackie, Bob and Rose
130 Becky, Sophie, Jackie, Bob and Rose Critter Corral on board the Piggebago!
131 Jackie, Rose,Debbie, Ginger, Sophie, Becky and Oreo
132 More piggies in their cages
133 Picking Piggies Becky searches for the 'right' pig!
134 Aha! Found you!
135 Off you go, Darlin' New Piggie Valley Girl
136 Getting Packed up to go A new life awaits!
137 Loading them up All ashore that's going ashore!
138 Wait, there's more!
139 Don't forget me! New Piggie Cow!
140 Leaving Becky's In-Laws Leaving Becky's in-laws home in Joliet... That's Sue looking at the pics she took. I'm sad we didn't have time to take more photos there!
141 Flying J Flying! Flying J takes the helm across Indiana and Ohio.
142 Oreo Oreo catching a nap on the way to Toledo.
143 Sunday, Aug 11, Hello Toledo! Rover rolls into Toledo, OH. These photos compliments of Jill (IAMPM).
144 Jackie doing a pig demo! Jackie giving an outstanding synopsis on guinea pigs and their care - with the assistance of one adorable, and vocal, prop!
145 Erin's balancing act Erin tries to "get a grip" on some wiggly pigs in Toledo.
146 Pig passes Becky's inspection Becky in Toledo, making certain this happy little pig is "road ready".
147 Cavy consorting Two of the Toledo, OH adopters keeping some great company. They are flanked by Jackie on the left and Becky on the right.
148 More consorting
149 It was a HOT day! Pigger gets water. Slaves goe thirsty!
150 Jackie holding court With all of this press attention, I think Jackie needs to have some "people"!
151 In her face! Look at that smile!!
152 LIVE! Live on the 6 o'clock news.
153 And Sophie, too! Is that pig coming or going?
154 Jackie Smiles On Board! After Louisville, there actually was time to smile.
155 Wonderful Winnebago Weather Becky thinks this was on the way to Kansas City. This was such a downpour! Fortunately, Jay fixed the windshield wipers.
156 Sophie checks the piggers Sophie just could NOT keep her hands off of the piggers. Who could blame her!
157 Cavy Command Central Calling! This was a very familiar pose. Screaming into the phone while plugging one ear to hear. Hmmm...I wonder who's on the phone? Teresa maybe?
158 Sophie and the Little Rascals Sophie and the Little Rascals. Again and again and again and...
159 Sophie Sophie was not pleased with Becky's attempts to capture her lovely self on camera!
160 Sophie and the piggies Sophie was so great about giving the piggers extra attention along the way. Here, she says another goodbye to a Kansas piggy.
161 Vicky and Piggie Vicky from Kansas (of Kansas State Trooper fame) brought a couple of her large family. Her daughter was wonderful and so thrilled with their new piggers. What a nice family this was!
162 Becky's Favorite This was one of the piggers who deboarded in Kansas. She was one of Becky's favorites!
163 Vicky and little one Vicky and her youngest. What a happy little one! They were very excited about their new family additions.
164 Cow Pies After Vicky left, it was time to get silly. They were in a nice, rural KOA camp with a lovely host. Out came the cow pies from Rachel.
165 More cow pies More cow pies. They were really delicious, by the way!
166 Jay, drinking, but not driving With just the Denver piggers on board, there finally was room in the frig for...BEER!! Here's Jay trying to decide between a MGD or cow pie. I think he settled for both!
167 Flying J Flying J stretching his leg as we flew through Utah and Nevada.
168 Cow Cookies I don't think any of the rest of us got to sample these cow cookies from Wisconsin, courtesy of Rachel (AKA,Lady Veg).
169 Anywhere, USA
170 WELCOME HOME! On Friday, August 16, 5:30 pm, after 11 days of being on the road with 101 guinea pigs, the Great Cavy Crusaders return! Safe and sound, at home at last. Although you can see Jay's handiwork--the strapped on mirrors since Nebraska.
171 Welcome home Jackie
172 Welcome home Becky
173 Welcome home all Jackie, Sophie, Becky, and Jay
174 Can't believe they're back!
175 Jackie and Becky
176 Sophie and Poppy
177 Pig retrieval
178 A pig pleaser for the crowd
179 Yes, we have one left
180 Too cute
181 Whoops And one little piggie comes home!
182 Poppy On to Pinta
183 Jay steps down The great guinea pig savior alights from the cavy caravan.
184 Scott says, give me a hug!
185 Lots of Hugging!
186 Can't believe they are home!
187 Looking on . . . Next to Bob on the left is the San Jose Mercury News reporter/columnist, Linda Goldston
188 Jay, come on down!
189 Jim observes, with Oreo
190 The welcome committee
191 Jay, Bob, and Jackie
192 Crusader Court
193 The Cavy Crusaders hold court
194 Telling stories
195 And more stories
196 Oreo perks up
197 Sophie stories, too
198 Oreo Not phased.
199 Will the real piggie please stand up!
200 Will the real piggie please wiggle your butt!
201 Welcome Home Practically Piggyless Cavy Crusaders
202 Side View By Creative Cakes in San Mateo.
203 Yum Yum
204 The audience
205 with Cameras
206 Nice sign
207 Informal fun
208 What do you mean? Pinta gets this pig? No way!
209 Well, okay . . .
210 Ann and Jay and Angel
211 Ann and Jay and Angel
212 Jackie with Sophie and piggers -- real and otherwise
