RV Squid: Rookie Hiker

December 9, 2025

After a weather delay of a day, the drive to Cheatham Annex from Harrisonburg was beautiful. We started even later than we had planned. We had to break out the hair dryer to thaw a frozen slide out latch, and our slide out topper fabric (which protected the slide out top itself from snow) didn't want to roll in properly. Once we got going though, we enjoyed relatively dry roads and beautiful snow covered trees.

Once to the campground and set up, I decided to take a walk. Spotting a sign that said nature trail and catching a glimpse of water beyond, I started down the trail. My hopes were to snap a photo of the snow-covered trees and the water beyond. It was around 4:00 pm.

Well, as the title suggests, this little walk turned out to be more than I expected. This lake had more fingers than I ever imagined. It was starting to get dark. Sunset was around 4:49 pm. I thought maybe I was more than halfway around. Do I turn around or go forward? I debated the turn around or go forward dilemma a couple of times. I finally decided to check my phone. I saw that I was approaching a road. I got to the intersection of the dirt road and decided to follow it as opposed to the trail.

I was hoping that dirt road didn't lead to a fenced off area. We were on a military base. I had fleeting thoughts of security forces surrounding me with grim faces and asking me just what I thought I was doing. A secondary thought was at least they'd get me back to the coach!

While walking and half jogging a few times, I recounted my foolish mistakes. I failed to check the trail length, which turned out to be 7 miles, and I was probably not even half that before I decided to bail off.

I wasn't wearing the proper shoes, which were slightly wet since there was melting snow on the ground. I was so thankful I didn't twist an ankle.

I wasn't wearing the proper clothes for this cold day. I had dressed for a quick campground walk before I allowed myself to get sidetracked for a "short" trail.

I hadn't taken any water with me. Again, I was just going to take a quick walk around the campground.

I did have my phone and could have called Harold to figure out where to send someone to come get me. The trail was extremely well marked. My phone had a flashlight feature, somewhere. I had never used it.

While I knew that, truly, the situation wasn't completely out-of-hand, it was far from optimal. It was a reminder that I am never above foolish mistakes. Thankfully, I have a gracious God who watches over me, and maybe, just maybe, gently reminds me of a thing or two!

The Lord preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me. Psalm 116:6