OMG what a time you had. I am not sure if you reached trace the first time, I do RTCP a lot and it does go really thick sometimes when you add the lye water depending on the oils used . But it isn't trace it just gets really thick , but not a creamy thick like a true trace. ( Does that make any sense?).
I really hope that it turns out for you though. I made some "fish ewww soap" too, isn't it delightful, I had tried kelp for color, couldn't get that sucker in the outside garbage fast enough. lol
Kitn