Crash update & priceless things

[Audial <Audial@aol.com>]

Tomorrow begins the real teardown and inspection process.  I will be providing
all details and photographs to the list so everyone can witness the carnage
and follow the progress.  

I am feeling _much_ better, thanks to the unbelievable outpouring of mail from
people here.  I don't know how to thank you for helping me get back up off the
mat today.  

I am feeling some optimism getting going now, and I think the car might return
better than it left the road.  I discovered that the RR quarter panel had been
Bondo'd in the past - it flexed during my trip into the weeds and the bondo
popped right off.  So I'm going to be putting something new there, for sure.  

Thinking back over the accident with the benefit of 24 hours' perspective, I
was very lucky for many reasons.  First of all that I didn't try to steer away
(never would have missed the drainage ditch, probably would have flipped
over), and second that I didn't slow down too much.  The front end of the car
completely vaulted the drainage ditch instead of augering straight into the
far side, which might have killed me and would have at least totally destroyed
the car.  As it is, it's slightly bent, but it rolls and is not completely
pretzeled.  My fingers are crossed that the engine is OK, I'll know a lot more
tomorrow night.

I'll be in touch with updates and 'rootin-tootin photographs...

Thanks again, everyone, it has meant a lot to me.

Best wishes,
Alex