One of the things I have become accustomed to over time is crashing drones.

That doesn’t mean I enjoy it.

Far from it.

The first few crashes were nerve-racking.

They made me question my flying skills.

But over time, crash after crash and flight after flight, I realized it is simply part of the hobby.

There are so many things that can go wrong.

A brief lapse in attention.

A hidden branch.

Unexpected wind.

A technical issue.

It comes with the territory.

Why am I thinking about this today?

Because yesterday I explored a secluded waterfall in Gongen Valley, not far from my home.

The location was beautiful.

Quiet.

Hidden away in the forest.

I decided to fly my drone around the waterfall.

What could possibly go wrong?

As it turned out, quite a lot.

The drone became tangled in spiderwebs and twigs above the waterfall.

A moment later, it dropped straight into the pool below.

Without thinking much, I rushed in to retrieve it before the electronics suffered more damage.

And then I slipped.

Suddenly I found myself in the water as well.

Remote controller.

Microphone.

iPhone.

Car keys.

Everything was soaked.

At that moment, it didn’t feel particularly funny.

But looking back, it is hard not to laugh.

Before driving home, I had to undress in the middle of the forest, wring the water out of my clothes, and cover my car seat with grocery bags to avoid soaking it too.

Not exactly how I had imagined the day ending.

Yet as I drove home with all the gear drying in the car’s ventilation, I realized something.

The days that go perfectly according to plan rarely become memorable stories.

The days when things go wrong often do.

The waterfall was beautiful.

But somehow, the drone crash and unexpected swim are what I will remember most.

What a beautiful and ridiculous adventure.