Today, I Peed in the River

(Actually, this happened yesterday...)

Guys, I know I've already done a post about peeing outside... and I know that we've already discussed several strategies and differing opinions of how to handle it when nature calls for us women-folk when we're, well, in nature. But, I felt that this recent story was worth sharing, as it bring up some new issues/concerns.

On Sunday morning, Chris and I went sailing. After we stopped for soda/coffee, we drove to this public boat ramp to put in on a river. After we got the boat in the water, but before we pushed off, I realized that I kinda had to pee. However, unfortunately, there is no restroom anywhere close to this boat ramp. There are houses all around the river, and there were people constantly pulling in and out of the VERY PUBLIC boat ramp area. Also, there were no trees I could lean against that would keep me from view, the ground was marshy/wet, and did I mention that there were houses all around?

SO, I decided I would get on the boat anyways. Meh, I'd be fine.

Big. Mistake.

There was a pretty light breeze, so though we were moving, we were not moving fast. It was also a bit chilly and overcast. We kept our eyes out for spots on the shore where we could anchor so I could pee, but, as I mentioned, there were houses everywhere. So, after a good while, I was to the point where I was in pain, so we decided to turn around and head back towards the boat ramp. I was determined to make it until we could get to a bathroom.

But alas, on the way back, the going was even slower. Chris was making plans for me to hop in his van as soon as we got back to drive to a restroom, but at one point, I realized there was no way I would make it. I was in tears it hurt so bad. So, I made the executive decision to strip down to my skivvies, hop in the very chilly water and finally get some relief. So, I did.

Getting back in the boat was interesting, for sure (how Chris kept from laughing I'll never know), and then, after that, there was the matter of me being freezing. I layered up, and we continued to head to shore.

So ladies, I know this is totally TMI, but something I didn't know is that bad things can happen from holding one's urine for too long. According to everydayhealth.com, a "common cause of UTI is holding urine longer than you should." Let's just say I'll be on antibiotics for the next five days. Sheesh.

But seriously, what would you have done in my situation? I couldn't leave once we had the boat in the water, because the boat ramp was busy and you're not supposed to take up all the space for too long. I couldn't just pop a squat in front of a bunch of random people, nor could we anchor off of someone's lawn so I could "water" their plants! What's a girl to do?

Today, I Peed in the Woods

And I do not like to pee in the woods, nor am I particularly adept at it. My parents never really took me camping (my mother shudders at the thought of sleeping outside), and no one ever told me it was ok to do things like pee in the woods (people are supposed to pee in designated areas). And no one really said, "ok, this is how you pee in the woods," because, for a girl, it's not always as straight-forward as you might think... there's the Rodin's The Thinker position, the lean against a tree position, the hang off a tree branch position (yes, this is a real peeing position; I seen it!)... there are so many, and it's just such a vulnerable position to be in generally, and it just makes me uncomfortable. But, today, I'd say I excelled. Go me!

Chris and I took our new/old kayaks out together today for the first time. We went on a two-hour long paddle on a creek where you can put-in like eight minutes from our house (lucky us!). Also, conveniently, Chris's parents got him kayak racks for his van for his birthday. Happy birthday to him/me! 

We were lucky and had a gorgeous paddle on a gorgeous day. We saw Canadian Geese, Mallard ducks, fish, purple flowers, white flowers, and green all-around. It poured yesterday, so the water was really high, and we spent some time down a small fork, which was breathtakingly beautiful. I could have sworn we were in some other country; it didn't look like the Virginia landscape I was used to at all. And it was just peaceful and relaxing (and I'm sure you've all gleaned that I have trouble relaxing by now!). Here are a few pictrures, most of which Chris took:


Bow



Me paddling!



The end of the line for us up a small fork in the creek.



The captain.



I can't believe this is Virginia.



We really lucked out weather-wise.



These small, flowering trees dotted the countryside with purple.

At the end of the paddle, we ran in to one of our best friends, Jared. Hi Jared!

On the paddle back, I realized I had to pee. Pretty badly. Those two cups of coffee I had to have at brunch seemed like less of a good idea. I thought maybe I could make it until we got back, but then I realized that we'd have to get the boats on the car and all that jazz before we'd even leave for home. So I made the brave decision to pee in the woods. I paddled down a ways out of the way of where any traffic would be (though we saw all of three other paddlers the whole time), and, much to the chagrin of the Canadian Goose couple that was back there, I found me a damn-good tree. I made Chris my lookout. But don't even get me started on the whole drip-drying thing...

And I'm glad I made the decision to go, because I really enjoyed the paddle back to the car instead of feeling like I would die if we didn't get there RIGHT THIS INSTANT, DAMNIT!

I'm hoping to go paddling more weekends than not this warm-season. There will be some whitewater and some overnight trips on the horizon!

Oh, and if you ladies have pee-in-the-woods tips for me, please share. Please.