You’d think that when you get to be my age (and I’ve been around for a while), there are some things I would have learned by now. Not necessarily so . . .
The skies cleared today and it was a beautiful day for a walk in the woods. After my heart attack 4 years ago, I am always a little apprehensive to go walking in the woods alone. So I chose Shevlin Park. It has some beautiful trails along the Tumalo River, it’s not overly crowded, but there will always be some people around.
Shevlin Park doesn’t have very many deciduous trees – mostly pine trees. I didn’t realize we had larch trees in Central Oregon, but we do.
So, I’m out there with my camera (and lugging my heavy tripod along), enjoying the beauty around me. As I’m walking back to my car, after about 1.5 hours of hiking, I realize that my car keys are no longer in my pocket. These were the keys to my life . . . my car keys, house key, mail key, office key . . . you get the idea. The only thing I could do was backtrack to look for them.
I had a pretty good idea where I might have dropped them. At one point I was laying on my back in a cluster of ponderosa pine trees to take a photo, and that was the only place I could imagine they would be. I was certainly hoping they hadn’t fallen into the river. The cluster of trees was at the farthest point of my hike so it was a distance back. But there they were, sitting on top of a pile of pine needles.
Next time I will be sure to wear a jacket that has a zipper . . . and bring more water.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
It’s always good to learn lessons . . . especially if the cost is only a bit of worry.
Nice photos.
On the bright side, I got about an hour more exercise than I had planned. 🙂 And it was a gorgeous day to be outside.
Lovely photos, Maralee. I’m glad you found your keys!
Thanks. Me too. It wouldn’t have been the end of the world if I didn’t find them, but there would have been more frustration and aggravation. 🙂
Firstly wonderful photos, as per what we expect from you…
Secondly, I wander the bush alone on so many occasions and I have a four pat system every time I stop, sit, climb, lie down or any other such occurrence.. top left pocket with right hand (cell phone), top left pocket with left hand (cigarettes and lighter) left hand pants pocket with right hand (wallet) right hand pocket with left hand (keys)… never lost a thing… yet now that I think of it, anyone watching must think I’m doing some kind of dance move… LOL… I must say where you lost your keys is an absolutely wonderful photo.. I would never have thought to lie down to take the photo… but then I’m learning every day from you… wonderful… thank you…
Thanks, Rob. I’m looking for a belt or something with zippers that I can put all my valuables when I go walking.
Where I lost my keys – my favorite …. so glad that you found your keys. Keys and glasses, but like you, I have learned my lesson – when I’m out walking I have pockets with zips. Stunning photos all of them – love your little fellow … *smile
Thanks, Viveka. I will be putting my keys in a safe, zippered pocket from now on. 🙂
I can imaging how it was to walk back .. lucky you.
Lessons are good, although they can sometimes be costly. Love the pic where you lost your keys – beautiful! 🙂
Thanks, Zelmare. I will always be walking with my keys in a zippered pocket from now on. 🙂
Beautiful photos, thankfully you had not gone to get the evening light photos. I have my keys on a carbiner (spell check does not like that word or any of the dozen variations of spelling I use) a small version of a climbers clip that connects to the safety harness. When I am out and about I clip it to my belt loop. The rest of the time it is in my pocket or camera bag.
You can be sure I will have a safe and secure place to put my keys. 🙂