Getting Lost

There are places you go that you know like back of your hand. With every corner turned, you could travel ten blocks and know exactly how to get back to your starting point even by taking a completely different way.
There are certain paths with which you are familiar and comfortable, just like your hometown. But there are places you have no clue where to go and how to get back. You have to use a map and you have have to ask for directions from a stranger. But you're okay with doing so because it's normal to not know where to go in a foreign place.
Now this brings me to places you think you know so well, but come to find you are not so familiar with as you thought.
The other day I decided to go for a bike ride by myself and explore the nature trail not too far from my house. I've ridden these trails many times since I was about 7 years old. I knew my way to the nature center and back because of how many times I've taken it.
The thing was, I got lost in the woods. My first mistake was not taking the main entry way but instead wandering to a restricted dump area behind some warehouse I've never seen, and entered the trail from a side trail. However, I found an area that I was familiar with and continued on my journey to find this "hidden" pond area I was looking for. Well, funny thing is I forgot how to get there but managed to find myself at the nature center. So after I rested a little while, I decided to head back home.
But along the way, I found an area I thought was a way to the pond and then it wasn't, so I found I was really lost. Instead of going back the way I came, I decided to take a different path hoping it would lead me to a familiar place. It did. However, I found myself by the cement plant on the outside of town on top of a railroad that goes over a street. I was far too tired after riding for 3 hours to go back the way I came, so I had my dad come rescue me.
While waiting, I also managed to throw myself from my bike on a cement road.
So, how did I manage to get myself into this predicament?
Easy. Just because I think I know where I'm going, doesn't mean I won't get lost on the way. There are many paths to choose from, but not every one of them will lead me where I need to go, even if I think they will.
I could have asked people I passed where to go, but I chose not to for my own insecurity reasons, maybe? I don't know.
But this little story leads me to a good point.
I'll be living in Iowa City next year. Although I know my way through parts of campus, doesn't mean I know the whole town. Being afraid to ask how to get somewhere will allow me to lose my way.
Getting lost isn't always the best way to find your way back.
Asking questions may feel stupid, but the only way to learn your surroundings is to know when to ask for help when you get lost along the way.