Oh man, that's a great save. I saw a post once where someone spilled red wine on a travel journal. They let it dry, then drew little maps and landmarks over the stains so it looked like intentional watercolor art. Your gel pen idea is just as clever.

That "different list of needed papers" problem is the real killer. I've heard the rules can even change depending on which officer you get that day. Paying the agent was probably the only way to cut through that noise.

Honestly used to laugh at the idea of a smaller suction line. Figured bigger hose just meant more dirt moved, end of story. Watching a crew fight constant pump stalls on a mucky, root-filled creek bed changed my mind completely. They dropped down a size and just kept working while everyone else was pulling wads of junk out. Now I get it's not about the raw power, it's about matching the tool to the mess.