Pee Pee Ain't Easee in Okefenokee!!

“, romantic, breezy trip to the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge was... well, I already put enough adjectives... I will just say that I can't WAIT to go back!”

“Azimuth and I race down I75 to Tifton, Georgia and take 80 (i think?) through Waycross towards Folkston, Georgia. My neighbour, Holly, and her mom, Sherry were 30 minutes ahead of us. We all got to the campground on the sandy road that goes to Kingfisher Landing. Nowslimmer was already there! The owner of the campground was a fine, fine man and drank a few beers with us. His hospitality was cherished. He informed us on everything that would help us in our trip and even let us park our cars on his campground because their was a history of break-ins at that landing. We went to bed after the long ride (8 hours from Knoxville) scratching our mosquito bites...”

“Peeing in a yak is an art form. LOL”

“Friday morning, we all got situated and hit the water paddling around 10:20 or so. We were supposed to be on the water by 10, but we barely missed our deadline. The flora and fauna was incredible! The pitcher plants were fascinating as was the little yellow-eyed grasses that I saw. The lily pads dotting the glassy black water are still in my brain.

We paddled a tough 12 miles to Maul Hammock on the Red Trail. Azimuth and Nowslimmer shared a anoe while myself, Holly, and Sherry kayaked our sweet butts off! The prairies switched to lakes and lakes to curvy tight water trails. The spur trail to Maul Hammock shelter was a fantastic sight.

See their was no solid ground the 12 miles to Maul Hammock so where do you go pee pee in a 17 foot kayak? I don't have an easy leaker, and it's not like you can step out onto the quaking peat. I did not feel brave enough to walk in the water so I found my balance and used my paddle and managed to get my butt over my cockpit JUST enough to go. I know you are not supposed to do that, and I was a bit ill-prepared, but how the heck are you supposed to use a portable toilet in a kayak? Do they have a catheter of some sorts?”

“cool... you should have done the kayak ride... very neat experience... i used to live like 30 min from waycross so i would go there all the time, its great...”

“A lot of yaking women just put a towel under their butt and 'make water'.
The towel then goes into the water and is rinsed out.
Guys use a pee bottle.”

“Please continue the TR, LOL.”

“Excuse my terrible typing.

Anyway, a Maul Hammock morning was coffee and a power bar for me while I the sun crept its way over beautiful Maul Hammock lake. I forgot to mention on the night of Day 2, we didn't see any alligators during the day, but we shined our lights in the water at night and saw plenty! It was really neat!

I couldn't wait to get on the water Saturday morning and back into my kayak. I felt like I had grown one big yellow leg on the water. This is my first big long paddle like this so I was like a child at her birthday. (My birthday was on Monday, by the way.)

Sherry was pretty experienced in a kayak and I caught up with her from Maul Hammock to Big Water. She taught me some beautiful strokes and by the time I got to Big Water, I was gliding and stroking and arcing my kayak - I felt like I was in ballet.

At Dinner Pond before I got to the day use shelter, I was practicing on how quiet I could be with my paddle. I passed Sandhill Cranes that were 10 feet away from me. I had an adorable otter swim past my kayak with his head out of the water the whole way! He joined up with his friend and I paddled slowly after him and his friend while they played games in the water chasing each other up on the bank and splashing back in the water again. Oh... I was in heaven all the way to Big Water Shelter...”

“I was in a kayak? We had 3 yaks and a canoe...It would be awesome to live near that swamp!”

“Big Water Shelter was right on the Red Spur Trail to Floyds Island and didn't have much of a view like Maul Hammock, but was nice all the same. After we all got situated on our last morning, we paddled back out to the main Red Trail on Big Water Lake and started our glide towards Billys Island and Stephen C Foster State Park. I have to say that parts of this trail were my favorites with the big cypress trees - ponds and balds. I liked the tight windy turns and I was playing with obstacles in practicing my turns the whole way. The sun finally came out - we only saw it the previous two days in the morning as most of the previous days were overcase with a sprinkle the morning of Day 1. I could feel my face burning the last few miles with the black water reflection. We came out to Billys Lake and my heart was feeling heavy - seriously... I didn't want to leave. Sherry, Holly, and I paddled to Billy's Lake to walk and stretch our legs. That was interesting - reminded me of the remnants of logging towns in the Smokies, you know.
...We took the straightaway lined with lily pads to the bustling visitor center at the park. The trip was over.

The shuttle picked us up at 2:15 or so and drove us 2 hours back to Kingfisher with our boats in the trailer. I was so tired! 31 miles, we paddled. So much to see... After saying our goodbyes, Nowslimmer headed back to Florida and Sherry and Holly headed back to East Tennessee. Azimuth and I headed to Savannah to meet up with my brother and party late into the morning of my Birthday on Monday. The 3 of us paddled a bit in Lazaretto Creek outside of Tybee Island with friendly dolphins, and almost was swept out to sea - the paddle agains mid-tide and northern wind almost killed us! I got in last night and I still have the boats tied to my car!”

“a towel, Stovey? Hmm... I don't like the thought of that. I did manage to find a firm mat of peat and press my paddle against it and my kayak - then I raised up to my knees and crouched. I kept one hand on the paddle to keep my boat from moving and I used the other hand to pull down my pants and underwear and then I swing it over the side just enough to not get pee in the boat. But, if you are doing open water paddles, I guess you have to do the towel, hmm?”

“None of us fell into the water, although one of the girls almost did it when she lost her balance on a platform where we spent a night. However, after the trip was over and we were on dry land, I lost my balance while cleaning out the canoe and fell into it. Help was required to return me to my feet.

The scenery was great. Highlight of the trip was seeing a double moon! No, I did not get hit in the head. I was helping hold Smokygirl's kayak while she did her thing over the edge of the kayak. I hope Walmart does not lose this roll of film like they did with the previous one.

---

You wrote a great trip report, Smokygirl. Thanks.
last edited: 1/19/05 5:52:11 PM”

“My very first pee pee in Okefenokee - Azimuth and Nowslimmer was kind enough to help stabilize my boat. Nowslimmer was supposed to be closing his eyes - NOT GETTING THE CAMERA OUT FOR SIGHT SEEING!

Before you post that pic, you better let me review it or you will have to face the evil Smokygirl!”

“Glad you made it at the last minute - hope you had a good time!”

“LOL, remind me never to pee in front of nowslimmer.”

“LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Go Paul!!!! ;-)”

“Beware the DOM with the digital camera!”

“Thanks for the trip report, smokygirl!


Now let's see some pictures!
(except nowslimmer's special one) LOL”

“smokygirl - http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/40/womensissue1.html

Feminine Urinary Director
http://www.freshette.com/usage.html
last edited: 1/19/05 9:27:22 PM”

“Was that Stove"Show me the butt picture again"stomper talkin??????
last edited: 1/19/05 9:25:46 PM”

“Butt lizs, your's was covered by pants.”

“LMAO... oops, I said "A"”

“Smokygirl, great report. Sorry I missed it.

Hey Smokygirl did you do any night time kayak races ;)”

“LOL. Smokygirl was talking about venturing out in kayaks one evening, Ewker. But there was some talk about the monster from the deep, too!”

“thanks for that terrific trip report....i am way to close to there not to do this trip soon...

regarding the pee dilemma, if i am not close to a bank or in a place that i feel safe getting out to swim....I found the 105th use for a frisbee... a kayak potty. I have one dedicated to this purpose... depending on the volume....you may have to p in stages.
After my first bladder bursting experience when i was crossing the huge channel between Cumberland Island and the mainland solo, no little islands and deep , choppy water i was forced to use the towel method...which i did not really want to do again! so, i started stashing a frisbee just in case i found myself in that predicament again.

i love to shine flashlights along the river banks when night paddling..and see the gator eyes glowing...too cool.
thanks again for the report...ya got me psyched about doing this trip.”

“Excellant TR! Sounds like a beautiful place.

I'm curious, did you guys have to cart your water or were in you in fresh?

Smokeygirl, I use a very thick sponge with a line tied onto it and just toss it over the side and drag it for a few. I like Om's idea with the frisbee but I'm so clutzy I'd be wearing that frisbee full of pee. There's also a way to hang your rear end over the edge with help from a fellow paddler. Much more complicated than the sponge though.”

“I had an empty, plastic, milk bottle that I use at night. I offered to cut it in half so that she could use the bottom part of it. But no, she had to flash a moon at me!

"Nowslimmer was supposed to be closing his eyes"
Smokygirl

Ha! Would you close your eyes to a treat like that? (One can't help but to love Smokygirl!)”

“Smokeygirl...using the two paddles, raft the two kayaks together for stability (Like a catamaran)....with the paddles forming outrigger arms...then one paddler holds a tree or plant to keep from drifting, and the other pees...TEAMWORK!...LOL...”

“Om, the frisbee thing sounds great - I will try doing that next time.

Sassafras, do you mean our drinking and cooking water? Azimuth and I packed a load of water in because the guidebook suggests it. But our friends Sherry and Holly used to go to the swamp for family canoe trip each Spring and they drink the swamp water and use it for cooking and such. Apparently, people used to come to the swamp and stock up on the pure water (because it is fed entirely by rainwater) before going out to sea in the olden days... I had a little bit of swamp water - I was a bit tentative...”

“Yep, that's what I was wondering about.”

“How do I post a picture that is on my local drive? I don't use webshots....”

“1. Click on "Pictures" (above and to the right).
2. Get your picture in an album there (follow the instructions given).
3. Then refer to it with a link or the url, or post it, using a size limiter, if necessary.

---

The first couple of experiences with it will be frustrating, most likely.
last edited: 1/21/05 8:51:52 AM”

“Thanks! I will try to get them up here shortly!”

“Waiting......
Waiting......
Waiting......
Waiting......
;-)”

“StoveStomper - That's the story of most of my life_____Waiting at traffic lights.

Matt's photo album system is not easy to use the first time or two.

Smokygirl is at work, most likely, and from her comments at Okefenokee Swamp, she does not have much time for TT there (anymore). She will be doing good to finish with the pictures within two days.

So, be patient, StoveStomper. I suggest using this time to study making links. They are really easy and fast to do(a couple of seconds), when using a template.
last edited: 1/21/05 10:18:18 AM”

“In this report Smokygirl demonstrates how to do it from a kayak!

Click on image to see album.

last edited: 6/19/05 12:10:41 PM”

“Paul, she's gonna kill you!”

“And Paul wonders why people don't tell him about trips.

...hmmmm... hey Paul, did you do something like this to the Old Flame? That would explain a lot, lol!”

“LOL


Folks have funny attitudes about peeing.

Some are embarrassed, some go to great lengths to hide, some go right in front of you.

One of my climbing partners had a whole collection of me going, she had been taking pictures for years and I never noticed. We were so use to being together we lost the taboos. On one trip her sister came along...I had to go, so while I was talking to her, I just turned to the side and took a leak while I kept up the conversation. I noticed a strange look on her face and then noticed my partner behind her in hysterics. Ooops.”

“the look on her face says shes straining really hard. are you sure shes just peeing?”

“Smokygirl reviewed the pictures and gave me an "OK to post."

There were more pictures taken, including a "full moon," but Walmart lost them.”

“HAHAHAHA...that area looks awesome..i'm gonna have to show a few buds these pics, and get some floats lined up”

“smokygirl aint shy. when i told her about nude hiking, the first words out of her mouth, in front of a campsite full of trailtalkers, at traildays, were "dont your balls chafe?"”

“I guess that is better than going IN your kayak, huh ??”

“lizs - FYI my relationship with My Old Flame is OK. We are communicating and love each other. But she simply has not recovered sufficiently from a very lousy marriage. She has shown some recent signs of recovery, though. So, who knows, one of these days, maybe.”