October camping on the James River: my survival story

Last Friday afternoon Jim and I embarked on a three hour drive south to the James River State Park for a two night camping trip. It was our first time camping in several years and the first trip without our kids. Our menu was planned, supplies purchased and our old camping gear - plus a brand new tent - was packed carefully in the back of our van. We were ready and excited! Having never been to the James River State Park, we weren't quite sure what to expect, but from the description on the Virginia State Park website it promised to be the perfect spot for turning life down a notch or two; an opportunity to truly relax and enjoy communing with nature. Jim even considered doing a little fishing.

Our campsite looking up toward the parking area from the bank of the river

I had reserved our spot a few months earlier based on our availability to get away and the availability of campsites at the park. For about 10 days prior to our weekend, I had been eying the weather forecast, wondering about how cold it was going to get at night. Based on the reports, there was no doubt that it was going to be cold. So we prepared for it by packing warm clothes, including extra socks, long johns, scarves, hats, gloves and winter jackets. We had very warm sleeping bags and an extra quilt. We stocked up on coffee, tea and hot cocoa. We would stay warm and toasty no matter what - no problem! Even Holly donned a new sweater and we packed her fleece doggy jacket. She had lots of blankets to snuggle up in, as dachshunds do not like to be cold.

Well. 

Man, oh man. Boy, oh boy. Did it get cold! Freezing, cold.

We arrived at the campground around 5:00 as the sun was going down over the James. A truly gorgeous sight. It was nice to have daylight to set up camp, but by the time we built a fire and sat around eating our soup supper it was dark and quite chilly. I switched my down vest for my winter jacket, and put on my hat and gloves. As we were sipping hot beverages later that evening and inching closer and closer to the fire, we decided to call it a night. 

Sunset over the James River

Here is what I ended up wearing to bed that night: two pairs of socks, long johns and fleece sweat pants, a long sleeved t-shirt, a pull-over sweat shirt, a wool scarf, gloves, a fleece hat, and my winter jacket. And I was still COLD. I was in my 30 lb sleeping bag (which happens to be way too warm in the summer, by the way) and I had a comforter on top of that. Holly, in her sweater, was snuggled up against my belly. I ended up putting one of those hand warmer packets that are designed to go inside your gloves or mittens inside my underwear. You may laugh, but it helped A LOT! I think it actually saved my life. Kuddos to whomever invented those little treasures. I figured out that the cold air was traveling down into my sleeping bag from the top, so I tried to close it up around me. What I need is a cocoon style bag - like my husband has. He claims he was warm enough except for his feet. And he attributes that to 'old age'.

I finally dozed off - only to be awakened a few times by the passing of a freight train on the railroad tracks situated across the river, then lulled back to sleep again by the baying of country dogs off in the distance. I prayed I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night to go potty. Thankfully, I did not. 

Around 7 a.m. a few of the campers in the neighboring site began stirring and woke me up. Then I really did have to go potty. The latrine was just up the road a piece - not really far - but not really close either. I slipped on my sneakers and unzipped the tent. The door of the tent crackled. Oh.my.gosh. A fairyland of frost and ice greeted me. Everything was frozen. The water in Holly's dog dish, our dish washing soap, our hand soap. Everything. 

I dragged Holly up to the latrine with me. She took care of her business on our way up and back. As soon as we arrived back at our tent, she made a b-line for Jim's sleeping bag to hunker down and snuggle up. Smart dog. She didn't emerge until she smelled the Canadian bacon and eggs cooking and the sun had inched a little higher in the sky. 

Holly goes back to bed

 

Saturday morning fire

There are small rapids up river producing little puffs of foam that float along the current. On Saturday morning the foam was frozen.

An early morning mist

The view from the campsite was gorgeous

After breakfast we hiked a few of the beautiful trails that meander through the park. Our five mile trek warmed us up nicely, but somewhere along the way, I convinced Jim that we should break camp and head back home that afternoon. 

Sun streaming down on the frost-covered trail

Canadian geese enjoying the chilly waters of the James

A beaver habitat along the trail

Jim and Holly taking in the view

Gorgeous. The James River State Park is beautiful.

 

By the time we got back to our site, the wind had picked up significantly and although the sun was higher in the sky and invitingly warm, the windchill made it seem much colder. After lunch we packed it all up and headed for home. I guess I wimped out. I just couldn't stand the thought of another night of trying to keep from freezing to death. Kind of takes the fun out of it, you know?

Before exiting, Jim and I explored other areas of the park. It really is a lovely place. There are campgrounds for folks with horses, RV's, and another primitive tent site tucked way back in the woods (where I would definitely consider camping for purposes of more privacy and for the distance away from the train tracks). There is a loop of very nice looking cabins perched on high ground. The westerly facing cabins have a gorgeous view across the mountains. In the summer months, the park purportedly is a great place for tubing on the river and for canoeing and kayaking at any time.

I would definitely go back. Perhaps in May or June. Although a cabin in the fall or winter would suit me just fine!