Johnny, sorry to here that Ole Spot managed to get past you. Keep in mind though that success is in the attempt and the experience.
I'm like you, in a way I was kind of bummed that I wasn't able to take two of my big items on the want/need/hit list this time around but I would not change a single thing.
Even some of the long stalks that were fruitless at the end were amazing experiences and out of the 22 days I was there I was never bored for even an hour.
As my buddy reminded me, it's what we didn't get that will ensure we work hard to come back.
You had a good time, you brought home some trophies, and you probably made some new friends both here and there.
I'd call that a success.
On another note since I keep seeing it mentioned maybe we need to start a thread and set up a "date" for all of us to get together one night in Dallas at the DSC convention?
All the best.