Posted Monday --- January 7, 2008 --- 5:45pm

While buses carried people away from the scene, towing companies organized to clear the roadway -- taking some vehicles to an investigation site and others to lots for drivers to pick up.

Sunday is still giving tow truck companies a heavy workload. One local company had more than a dozen trucks devoted to the Interstate scene. Another had 24 trucks. Now, they're trying to help drivers figure out what to do next.

"We were worried on this trip about rain, snow and wind but never thought about fog," Holly Watkins says.

But Watkins and her friend ran into fog on the Interstate.

"We slowed down because we saw stopped traffic ahead of us," she says.

They managed to avoid running into anyone in front ...

"We slowed to a stop," she says.

... And, they put on their hazard lights.

"Then, maybe 45 seconds later, somebody just came and rammed us behind. They were going way too fast for conditions," Watkins says.

The two were on their way to California for a seven-month trip when they became a part of Sunday's pileup.

"So we really had everything we needed for this big research trip," she says.

They're now picking through their belongings, speckled with shattered glass and lodged in their crumpled trunk.

The pair is among a number of people visiting a Schmidt's Auto lot in Stoughton.

"It's been quite a Winter. That's for sure," John Schmidt says.

Owner John Schmidt's been fielding calls in Madison.

"Good afternoon, Schmidt's Auto can I help you?"

... after towing 60 vehicles and several semis from the Interstate.

"The biggest hurdle today is talking to all of the people, trying to explain to them where their car is," he says.

Edward Smith of Sun Prairie needed an explanation. He left his car behind when he got stuck in the hours-long ordeal.

"I'm in one piece. The car is too. It runs ... it's all good," Smith says.

... All good because Smith, who drives a truck for a living, still could drive away without a problem.

"Just take your time. Keep that cushion of space. I don't mean to sound like a driving instructor but hey, it works. It worked for me," he says.

Schmidt's says it's also keeping busy re-towing cars to body shops. Mike's Towing, meanwhile, towed roughly 30 vehicles and helped another 30 cars get back on the road last night.