VPI Magic!!! (DUW!!)

[JLC]

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of being invited to have dinner at VPI and tour their facilities! I can't even begin to describe the pleasure it was to sit and converse with Dave and Tracy Barker and share a little slice of their evening, as well as just spending time with our indomitable Cueball! But...I'll try!

The evening began with me finding my way out to their place in the country. It's a beautiful home at the top of a hill way out in the middle of nowhere (but not too far from somewhere!) surrounded by enchanting acerage of Texas flora and fauna.

Dave met me at my truck while I was wondering if I was in the right place...invited me in and offered a cold brew. I felt welcomed and at ease right away!

One of the first things I noticed was a row of hummingbird feeders along the edge of the deck that was abuzz with the beautiful little birds. You just wouldn't believe how many of those wee little harriers could be seen!

Shortly thereafter, Tracy came out and Chris arrived and I felt as if I were among old friends!

Dave took me inside and showed me his Library. I just LOVED the way his eyes would light up at just mentioning it! He has a very large room simply FILLED from floor to ceiling with books, magazines, documents and papers...all relating to Herps. Modern books and original publications of ancient books. Common petstore books and obscure one-of-a-kind books. It was utterly fascinating!! I could spend weeks and weeks in that room, both with the books and all the knick-knacks and collectables and still not begin to absorb a fraction of the history there.

We sat down together for a terrific meal of lasagna and spinich salad...and just talked and talked! Dave tells the most remarkable stories! And Tracy is so warm and friendly! And they're both SO knowledgeable! It seemed like there wasn't a topic brought up that couldn't be discussed and expounded on with scientific terms and literary references.....and yet as down-to-earth and easily understood as anyone you'd want to spend time with.

After the relaxing dinner out on their deck (the weather was SO perfect!!)....we went down the hill to the Snake House. And there, with Chris and Tracy....I got to poke through VPI tubs and breeding rooms and hold the most beautiful babies and see one-of-a-kind snakes.

I'll tell ya....I'm spoiled rotten now. VPI yesterday....NERD day after tomorrow!! I may not be able to have my own collection of animals for many years....but it is my hope that I will be able to stay close to them through friends like Dave and Tracy and Kara and others. And even if I never got to handle another snake...just being around these people would be enough.

Thank you....Dave and Tracy and Chris....for opening up your home and your hearts!!!

And so, without further ado....here are a few pictures....and perhaps a few more to follow later when Chris sends me some that he took with his camera. (I'll have to see how those turned out before I post any! )

In no particular order except how they lined up in my gallery:

Albino Blood


Burgandy Albino -- A true one-of-a-kind!! She's female, if I remember correctly, so it will take awhile to prove her out. She's stunning in person...colors you just never see!


Calico -- This guy was in shed...but still pretty as a picture!


Clown -- Itty bitty baby!!!


Axanthic -- Greeted me and made me feel oh so special!!


Lavendar Albino -- WOW...just WOW! Unreal colors on this beauty!!!


Lesser -- Probably one of the most stunning examples of this morph I've ever seen in person. Check out that perfectly banded reduced pattern!


Pastel/Lesser -- Check out THIS cross! I don't know if the combination of genes caused this crazy squiggly pattern or not...but it's gorgeous!!


Pastel/Spotnose -- Unreal colors on this little guy!!


Pewter -- Tracy's personal favorite!


And last, but oh most certainly not least...the elusive Whitesmoke! This was such a stunning animal!! I just can't believe I got to see and hold it!


Those are the best of the pictures that I got. Saw and held lots more!! What an amazing and magical evening!!!

[lillyorchid]

WOW! You are one lucky lady! I can't stop looking that that whitesmoke... doesn't even look real. I'm jealous.

[Laooda]

WOW Judy!!!! What a great adventure!!!!!


Sounds like you had a phenomenal time..... and the pix are just fabulous! How lucky to spend time with great animals and people too!!!!


PS.... I LOVE that albino blood! :eek:

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I'm jealous, I need to move to Texas.

Oh and I am in love with that Blood, he is hot, hopefully someday I will get one.

[Emilio]

Judy wow!!!!!!!! Wow VPI baby!!! Amazing ball pythons.

[SarahMB]

Oooooh, Judy, you lucky lady! I'm so glad you had such a fabulous time, no one deserves it more

I'd cry if I got to hold a baby clown. Yup, I'd be the one in the corner blubbering like a baby.

[wildlifewarrior]

AMAZING!!!!!!


~mike

[rabernet]

Judy, Wow! What a wonderful evening you had and how gracious of them to open their home to you!

[cueball]

It was truly out pleasure to have you as a guest Judy, from your generous red wine gift to your captive interest in VPI. You do so much for the reptile community offering a wonderful gathering place to ensure the future of enthusiasts for generations to come. It is the very least we could do to have you as our guest

[mlededee]

judy you are SO lucky! what an awesome time it sounds like you had, and getting to see all those beautiful snakes in person... i am so jealous!