www.roanoke.com

A few weeks ago I wrote about tangling with triggerfish during my vacation in the Outer Banks.

No visual evidence of my exploits existed because I realized upon my return to the 'Noke that my beloved little Canon Powershot G9 camera had not made the return journey with us.

I assumed the camera had gotten punted out of my too-full truck during a stop on our trip's final two days. It wasn't labeled, so even if someone found it, they would have had a hard, if not impossible, time tracking me down.

But this picture is that visual evidence, so clearly the camera is back in my hands.

About a week ago we got a call from the Ramada Plaza on Nags Head beach. We had spent the final night of our trip there because we had a cottage for a week but needed and extra day so I could race in the Outer Banks Triathlon (which became a run-bike-run duathlon due to dangerous surf from Hurricane Bill).

In the message the manager said they had a camera they thought might be ours. It was. Apparently the cleaning crew found it in the room. It got stuffed somewhere with a note listing the room number and date found, but no manager was notified, which is why it took so long for them to contact us. The manager was actually apologetic, which was totally unnecessary. I was grateful that they made the effort to find me, and return the camera promptly (via FedEx) when they confirmed it was mine. I can tell you who I will call first next time I'm looking for a motel room in the Nags Head area.

Of course I have since purchased a new point-and-shoot camera. It's a Canon D10, which is waterproof so actually better for me in many ways because I can use it on fishing trips without sweating getting it wet. In fact, I've already had it out a couple of times and taken a few undwerwater shots (I'll post one here one of these days). My wife doesn't mind. She's already laid claim to the G9.