The perils of photography

Me and my son decided to go on a little excursion for photos out to Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe. It started out as a great plan, that didn't last. First off, I parked in the wrong state park and ended up having to walk a few miles further than expected. It wasn't too terrible because it was down hill, and we got to take some pictures on the over look. We finally got down to the lake about an hour later and got some really good shots, got to see an Osprey nest with mother and baby (too high for good pictures) and the view was fabulous. It is now about 4:30 and we decide we need to start heading back.

Now as you recall at the beginning that it was an easy hike because it was downhill the whole way. Well now we had to pay for that easy hike, as the walk back was up hill all the way with no easing up. Now I am not a young man and not in perfect shape (round is a shape right) we had to stop every 15 minutes as the sweat is pouring off of my head, back, chest. I was sweating in places I didn't realize I was able to sweat from. My chest is on fire from breathing the dusty hot summer air and having to wear a mask while doing it. I thought I was going to stroke out or have a heart attack, and I'm sure that I looked like a Calvin Cline underwear model the whole time up too. With every bend in the trail ahead of us I was praying that it was the last bend before hitting the end of the trail only to be let down again and again. I think it took us 3 times longer to get up than to get down. By the time we got in sight of the car I didn't think my legs could move anymore. But was I glad to see the car, I think there might have been a tear in my eye forming.

But it was a good day with my son and we got some good pictures and were able to spend time together. So all and all it was worth it. The moral of the story is know where the hell you are going and don't be afraid to ask for directions (did I mention we passed a ranger station way at the beginning?)