There's no way to really prepare for a week long trip down a river like the mighty Altamaha. I love the outdoors but I'm not a camper. As my friend Cathleen said "camping is for those who like to pretend they are homeless." I'm not really into that. But I must admit, it totally allowed me to leave the world's worries behind. I did not worry about anything bugging me back home and I needed the break. What I needed most of all though was to see if I could do it. I did y'all! I did! The most difficult day of the trip was a 22 mile paddle. We fought a headwind most of the day and I was tired by the time we reached Penholloway Creek. We had to make a hair pin turn and then head UPstream for 2 miles. At first it wasn't so difficult, but the creek narrowed and the current got more and more swift. Midway through you could not stop paddling or you would be swept backwards. Imagine your arms screaming for rest but you cannot rest or what you just accomplished will be wiped out. It was terrible but I kept at it. Everyone was struggling up the creek. No one was talking. Everyone was fighting the current. Little did I know, Pete had gotten ahead of me a good ways and could not see me when he looked back. He was worried and turned back downstream. Bless his heart. I couldn't have paddled upstream twice. I barely made it once! He paddled a good portion twice though since he came back for me! He told me where to go to avoid the worst part of the current and showed me where to pull off and catch my breath.
I paddled that damn creek by myself but I don't know if I would have made it if he hadn't come back for me and talked me all the way up the creek. It was awful y'all! After reading Bear Grylls new book "Mud, Sweat and Tears" I remembered a verse from Isaiah that Bear recited to himself during his SAS selection when he was waist deep in snow and trying to get back to ranger camp. "I am with you, do not be dismayed... I will strengthen you and help you... I hold you in my right hand." I kid you not- the last half of that creek, I just said to myself "He has me in His right hand.. He has me in His right hand over and over.. It was quite funny when I thought about it later. We were all so tired when we took out of the creek that we hardly said a word. The words that WERE said aren't suitable for young readers. I will say this though- for the first time in my life I totally understand what runners feel when they describe "runner's high".
I was amazed at the ages of people on the trip. There was an 80 year old woman who paddled with us. AMAZING woman! My 37 year old body just about gave out and she was pressing on! She got into some trouble on that horrible Penholloway Creek and someone went ahead of her and told the DNR she needed help. When the boat came for her, she said "do NOT touch my boat. I made it this far and I'm going to finish this creek." Finish, she did. How inspiring. If the DNR had offered to drag me and my boat up the rest of that creek I would have taken them up on the offer! I'm glad they didn't though.
Top Ten Things I Heard During Paddle Georgia:
10. One mile my #$#!
9. I really hope that is a stick floating by...
8. I don't care if my hoo ha shrivels, I need to go to the bathroom!
7. I lost my hoo ha in the Altamaha
6. If that #$%% rams my boat like that again, she's gonna be floating face down.
5. I have blisters on my butt, so Paddle Georgia officially chaps my behind!
4. Would you all like a surgical mask to wear today? Response from one great guy behind me- "No ma'am we would not and please don't go out and embarrass us on the river today. We are guests here."
3. There's no dignified way to walk into the woods with a roll of toilet paper.
2. Charles, Charles, Charles.(waterguns pointed)..we heard you tell that little Georgia joke back there.
1. The takeout has GOT to be around this bend.
oh and there is ONE more quote from a non-southerner I must mention- "If I learn to yell that Gooooo Dawgs Sic 'Em thing, can I have a Riverdawgs shirt?"
So there you go... a wonderful trip with wonderful people and memories I will not soon forget.
"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest... It's about who came, and never left your side"
I knew I'd make it down that river one way or another. In fact we promised each other we'd make it out each day even if we had to drag each other! It was a wonderful experience going down the river with friends, playing on the sandbars and teasing each other at every turn. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I will be back next year with the Riverdawgs on the Geech!! Gooooo Dawgs!
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