P3D Excursions

[markaren@xxxxxxxxx (Karen Obusek)]

Mr Toeppen wonders how many folks would risk their cameras to navigate a
stream. This story is to illustrate my idiocy, not my bravery:-)
I had my RBT X4 on a bulky tripod as we walked along a rocky stream in
the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania during peak fall season. I
strategically mapped out a rock-hopping approach that would land me on a
large rock in the center of the stream so I could photograph a little
waterfall with the veracity of a broken downspout during a light rain.
After I took my first step I quickly sensed that I was walking alone (
Karen, with Realist around neck, dared not carry an anchor into the
water, and stayed ashore) Turning my torso to look back would have been
disasterous. The tripod quickly came in handy as an emergency walking
stick as I prodded the legs into the stream to maintain my balance all
the while thankful that I had the UV filters on the camera.
That thought quickly flashed by replaced by a vision of myself opening
the back of the X4 to dump out the water, and setting the camera on a
hot sunny rock and praying to mortal and stereo God and gods that the
camera would work again. Anyway, shoes wet and heart pounding, I made it
to the rock. Once there, I took my time and fired 3 shots and got it
right!
I may enter this shot in club competition. It's probably not a super
great shot.....but it's a reminder to me not to do anything stupid like
that again! :-)                     Mark Dottle