Camping on the Chickahominy River
(March, 2026)
A month ago on March 9th, I decided to go solo-dispersed camping off the Chickahominy River. I had never camped a day in my life, but I was deadset on checking it off my bucket list. Dispersed camping is a form of camping where there are no amenities like toilets, water, or trash cans — basically camping in its most primitive way. Before I headed out, I packed my gear, dried and canned food, and my camera bag in my truck, then set off. The drive was super relaxing, with long country roads that took about an hour to reach my destination.
Beforehand, I downloaded the area’s offline map on my phone so I would know where I was at and going when service was unavailable, which came in clutch because Google Maps literally took me to someone’s property. Nothing but “private property” signs plastered everywhere, which made me assume that happened a lot with GPS. But I quickly found where I was supposed to go and drove another 20 minutes to the camp sites. I left my house kinda late that evening, which wasn’t the smartest idea. I only had but so much time to find a decent camp site. I was driving all over the property (which is BLM land, where you can camp for free since it’s public land) for about another hour scouting areas. The sun was setting, and I knew I had to find a site or I’d be sleeping in my truck, which wouldn’t have been ideal for my first trip.
Eventually I found an area off a dirt road with a State Park sign and just ended up settling there. First things first, I had to set up my tent, which was the third time I’ve ever set up a tent in my life. The first time was a job interview for L.L. Bean (didn’t get the job) and the second time was literally the day before my trip to get accustomed to the process. After the tent was up, I got my sleeping pad and bag in order then began on the camp fire. This was another first, I watched maybe two hours worth of youtube tutorial videos on starting a campfire days prior to the trip. The firewood I was working with was kinda decent, I grabbed it from Kroger’s (grocery store) the day before.
To get it going I stacked three logs poorly on top of each other, with dry sticks and used dryer lint as my fire starter. I kid you not, my attempt at the fire was not impressive and pretty despairing. Tried my best I’ll give myself that, but it took maybe a little over 50 minutes to actually have a real fire. Which I'm truthfully grateful for because it showed me the importance of (A) perseverance even when hopelessness was kicking in and (B) how crucial warmth and light is while in pitch-black woods.
To celebrate the fire, I cracked open a bottle of orange wine that was recommended by an associate at Total Wine. I honestly thought the label was cool because it had an orange monkey on it. Using a coffee thermos as my wine glass, I enjoyed it while watching the fire and the crackles it produced. The woods were completely silent outside of my sips and the fire. The sky was lit up with stars like Christmas lights, it was truly a sight to see.
The silence and those moments were absolutely what I needed, to recenter, to think, to feel, to appreciate. Didn’t realize how necessary that moment was til I was experiencing it in real-time. I enjoyed my caveman TV entertainment til about midnight, which is the cutoff time for fires. Saw headlights in the distance around 12:30am and knew it was the campground manager. So I put the fire out before they passed my area, then snuggled up in my tent and watched youtube til I passed out.
The next morning arrived and I was awakened to birds singing and the sun greeting me. I slept like a baby after a temper tantrum, got up then made myself some instant coffee and also replied to messages my friends sent me as I started my morning. Afterwards I decided to lay back down for a bit to warm up while listening to music, then when an hour or two passed I got up and really started my day. Originally I was only staying for a single night but I felt like it would be best to stick around for another night. I packed enough food and water so it really wasn’t an issue. For a bit I began to read Understanding a Photograph by John Berger. It’s an incredible read that shifted my entire perspective on photography and photo documentation. It was gifted to me by my dear friend Arseniy during my first visit to England.
I will admit, I don’t read it as much as I should as it's a tough read for me but whenever I open it up — I make sure to dedicate my full attention to it. Read for a bit then checked stock on alcohol. I had a little bit left of my orange monkey wine, so I looked up the nearest gas station for some beer and a sports drink to gain some electrolytes. The closest one was 25 minutes away, so I put my valuables in my truck and headed out. The country gas station was pretty cool, they had homemade potato salad, coleslaw, pies, and more. The fat kid inside was yelling to “grab it all” but I knew it’d be overkill because I had some snacks and sweets at the campsite. Grabbed a liter of electrolyte water, 6-pack of PBR tall boys, paid the nice lady and returned back to my site.
There was plenty of time and sun to kill, I began to roam around in the woods behind my campsite with my camera. I took a bunch of photos the night before but this was my first time taking some daylight shots there. Having my phone on me, I was able to really just go any sort of direction and knew where exactly I was if needed be. For those who know me, they’ll know I’m more inclined to photograph people and candid moments over landscapes. So I found this to be an excellent exercise to challenge myself and push my creativity outside my comfort zone, especially since it was non-low light (which comes easier to me).
Wandering around I found a great spot overlooking the river, saw bald eagles flying around talking to one another, dudes on their boats way out cruising by. It was really peaceful, so peaceful I began to meditate. Last year I attended a Tibetan monk seminar at the city library and that was my first true experience with meditation. It was so powerful, I may actually do a two and a half hour drive — one day to their temple and for a day-retreat. But back to the river view! So after the meditation sesh I decided to head back to the campsite because I didn’t bring any water with me. Got back to the site, had some water then wondered what I should do next to fill in the time.
Using all my firewood the night before, I began to remember from the tutorials that I could use dropped wood for a fire. Okay, time to find dead wood and some sticks for tonight’s fire. Walking all around finding logs I could break apart with my feet and thick sticks I could snap with my hands. Felt like a damn beaver with all the wood I was hauling around. Just kept adding to the pile, because personally I didn’t know how much was enough but if I stacked too much. Could always leave it at the site for the next camper, so they won’t have to work too hard for a fire.
After that it was pretty much lunch time, had some baked beans with canned chicken. Man oh man, was that bussin. Arthur Morgan type beat meal and it was such a morale booster, and made me enjoy the simplicity of life. I brought a two burner camp stove but it sat in the box, and instead used a backpacking stove kit for everything this trip. Next time I’ll be more intricate with the meals.
After lunch I set up my camp chair in the shade because the sun was beginning to get a bit too much for me. Whipped out my book and read a few pages, then decided to take a cat nap. On the third wakeup I had a really bright idea, “I should leave my phone and go read by the water to really be in tune with nature”. What a jackass idea that was, let me tell you. I got to the spot I wanted to read at, read for a bit then realized I was tired and a bit dehydrated. Once I turned around to head back I instantly got confused on the route to walk back. For context here, this is the sticks in the country.
There’s no trail, no land markings, no nothing. There’s only ribbons on some trees for logging (Google told me this), which I tried to use as markings for myself but it did not help. Immediately told myself to just relax, if you work yourself up you’ll be more screwed. For the life of me, I could not find my campsite or where I had to walk. I kept finding new areas I haven’t walked past or been to. Panic began to slowly and surely creep in… Then I asked myself “which way was the sun facing me when I left?” the answer was my back. So I walked towards the sun with it slightly to my right to make up for the time that passed. That fact alone saved my ass because within 20 minutes I found my site and chugged water then kissed my phone. I know we’re in an era where people are hyper-attached to their phones and technology, but when used correctly it can save your life and is quite beneficial.
Once that whole debacle was over with, it was time to prep for dinner and tonight’s fire. On the menu was tortilla soup I originally bought to hold me over for the blizzard we had a few months ago on the east coast. Woofed that down then began to work on my second-attempt at a campfire. Learning from yesterday’s mistakes and I stacked the wood like a log house, with dry brush at the base with the little bit of dryer lint I had — placing it in the four corners of the fire. I forgot to mention, in yesterday’s fire I literally used up all of my dryer lint because I was so desperate. So I knew I had to be smart about tonight’s campfire. Lit all four lint corners and began to feed the fire oxygen, with the found wood I was able to get it going in like 8 minutes. Was so proud of myself, and to celebrate once again the orange wine was enjoyed.
For my last night by the fire I made sure to savor the moments. Listening to Japanese Jazz along with new music I discovered for the month I was at total peace. Gathering the wood earlier was pretty clutch as it kept the fire going for about five hours or so. And of course, I had to take campfire photos and document this experience. Once midnight crept up, I made sure to put out the fire, but this time I sat in my chair and just stared up for a bit. Man, I’m so glad I did this and proud of myself for doing it alone while not depending on others to join me. Most of my life until I began to caregive, I always did things with others. But when that responsibility came, and went. I seek peace doing things by myself, if I could do the toughest thing in my life alone, new experiences alone don’t compare — I can do it and you can do it.
The final morning arrived, slept incredible like the night before. Laid in my sleeping bag for a little bit then began to clean up camp, always leave things better than you found em (that goes for people too). Cleaned up my trash along with the trash others left before me. Packed my gear, made sure I didn’t leave anything I’d be pissed to find out when I got home, then broke down my tent. Threw everything in the bed of my truck, told nature “thank you”, and rode off back home. Once I got home, I washed my stinky ass and laid in my bed for a bit then remembered I made plans a week prior to meet my friend at a lake. Got dressed then went to meet her, damn I’m so lucky for my life.
Until next time & with love,
Jamie “Peanug” Nixon
posted April 6, 2026