Random lesson learned: DO NOT LOSE YOUR CAR KEYS WHILE ON A NATURE HIKE!
A great day turned real ugly today. I drove to Great Falls National Park in Virginia and parked my truck, locking my wallet and cell phone inside (at least I did something smart). I put my car keys inside a small accesorry case on the strap of my camera bag, and headed out to Mather Gorge below the falls to take some photos of the Potomac River. 90 degrees F, but there was a slight breeze and I stayed in the shade, so I was happy. Sun shining, birds chirping, and all that. I reached the river bank, which is mostly cliffs and rocks here, and lots of teenagers are jumping off a cliff into the river. Took some action photos, climbed down to the water, set down my stuff and took a little swim myself. Water was very nice. Got out, grabbed my camera gear, and hiked back to the parking lot, only to find my keys had fallen out of the half-unzipped case somewhere along the way!
Spent the next 3 hours hoping AAA could send a tow truck before the Park Police locked the gates. Since my wallet was in the truck, I couldn't even pay for a ride home. On top of all that there was a huge thunderstorm raging as it got dark. It's still raining even now. (My avatar is pretty much what I looked like as I waited by the toll booth of the park for the tow truck to arrive, but without the sunglasses.)
Finally, the rollback truck showed up and we carried my pickup truck back to my house, where I jimmied my own front door and went in to get my spare keys so I could get my wallet, so I could pay the driver and park my truck where it belongs. What an awful experience, and it could've gotten much worse. At least I didn't get locked in the park, had spare keys, and Triple-A helped me out in time.
NEVER, NEVER LOSE YOUR KEYS!