The Fun in the Water Page
Hi - You have reached Isaac Traxler's Fun in the Water Page
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior).
If you would like to join in on the fun, please drop me an e-mail at h2o@isaac.lsu.edu.
Trips in 2008
Trips in 2006
Trips in 2005
Pictures from 2002 June and July Canoeing trips!!!!!
NOTE: Seminary Canoe Rental.
Information - when, what, where, and how!
If you would like to join in on the fun, please drop me an
e-mail at h2o@isaac.lsu.edu.
Trips in 2008
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, September 6, 2008
Please come out and join us. Don't forget to check out the general information to find out where to meet, what to bring, what to expect, etc. Be sure to send us an email if you are interested in attending. This is the first trip of 2008 don't miss it.Folks who plan to have fun in the water:
- Isaac & Kathy
- Mohamed + 1
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, August 23, 2008
Please come out and join us. Don't forget to check out the general information to find out where to meet, what to bring, what to expect, etc. Be sure to send us an email if you are interested in attending. This is the first trip of 2008 don't miss it.Folks who plan to have fun in the water:
- Isaac & Kathy
- Wojceich & cousin
- Ariel + 1
- Josh + 1
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, July 12, 2008
Please come out and join us. Don't forget to check out the general information to find out where to meet, what to bring, what to expect, etc. Be sure to send us an email if you are interested in attending. This is the first trip of 2008 don't miss it.Folks who plan to have fun in the water:
- Isaac & Kathy; canoe
- Ariel + 1; canoe
- Heather & Josh; canoe
- Erik, Marcel, Bety, Ana; 2 canoes
- John D.; kayak
- Zhou & wife; canoe
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CANCELLED! Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, June 7, 2008
Please come out and join us. This is the first trip of 2008 don't miss it.Folks who plan to have fun in the water:
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Trips in 2004
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Trips in 2003
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Trips in 2002
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Canoe trips in 2006
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, September 9, 2006
Please come out and join us. This is probably the last trip of 2006 don't miss it.
Folks who plan to have fun in the water:
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, August 12, 2006
- Isaac & Kathy
- Damir
- Josh
- Yaakoub
- Ana
- Rakesh
- Tamara & Mishra
- Shad & Anthony
- Dempsey & Tony
- Kathy, Toni, and Nola
Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Wojceich Stryjewski
- Melissa Stryjewski
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Josh Abadie
- Ian Wesley-Smith
- Adam Hough
- Sara F.
- Allen Gordon + 1
- Mystery Guests (2)
- Damir Hasic (if he doesn't have to go to Seattle for a job)
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior)
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, June 24, 2006
Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior)
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, May 20, 2006
Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Josh Abadie
- Nik Svboda
- Yaakoub El Khamra
- Razvan Carbunescu
- Ian Wesley-Smith + 3
- Anvar Gilmanov
- Werner Benger
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, August 27, 2005
Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Adam Hough
- Others???
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, July 30, 2005
Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Adam Hough
- Sara F. and Rick
- Others???
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, July 16, 2005
This will be our first trip of the year. Please come out and join us.
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Adam Hough
- Sara F. and Rick
- Others???
Please let me know if you are interested.
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, June 4, 2005
This will be our first trip of the year. Please come out and join us.
Folks who went canoeing:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Adam Hough
- Allen Gordon
- Aaron and 2 friends
- John
- Others
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, August 14, 2004
This was a great trip. We had a cabin for Friday and Saturday night. In addition to a lot of
fun, the playing around on the beach resulted in a broken leg for me.
Folks who went canoeing:
- Isaac Traxler
- Kathy Traxler
- Josh Abodie
- Damir Hasic
- Steve Chance
- Wesley Valure
- Matt Eastman
- Yacoub
- Tom Goodale
- Florin
- Ravi
- Mike Sherman
- Holly Sherman
- Adam Hough (has own kayak)
- Raymond Johnson
- Irina
Note:
Kathy and I will be staying at the cabin in Okatoma on August 13th and August 14th (thanks - you know who). We need a volunteer to
lead the caravan from Baton Rouge to Okatoma. We are planning to get together after the canoe trip at the cabin. If you would like to,
bring a sleeping bag and pull a piece of the floor Saturday night. Seriously.
NOTE: Need a volunteer to lead caravan from Baton Rouge to Okatoma Saturday morning.
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior)
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Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, July 19, 2003
Folks who plan to go:
- Isaac and Kathy Traxler (canoe)
- Steve and Donna Chance (canoe)
- Greg Brignac
- Josh Abadie and Mark Browning
Folks who might to go:
- Allen Gordon
- Jonathan G Harb (needs a ride and partner)
- Robbie and Ashley Perkins (canoe)
- Raymond (kayak)
- Gigi (kayak)
- John Guillory
- Michael Lambert
- Damir Hasic
- Nik Svobda (canoe)
- Aaron Daly
- Wei Ding and wife
- John Borne, wife, and 2 sons (1 canoe, 2 kayaks)
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior)
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Past canoe Trips
Canoe down the Okatoma on Saturday, June 14, 2003
Folks who went:
- Isaac and Kathy Traxler (canoe)
- Steve and Donna Chance (canoe)
- Robbie and Ashley Perkins (canoe)
- Josh Abadie and Chris Meyer (canoe)
- Raymond (canoe)
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Canoe down the Okatoma on Sunday, May 25, 2003
Folks who went:
- Isaac and Kathy Traxler (canoe)
- John Borne, wife, and 2 sons (1 canoe, 2 kayaks)
- Raymond (kayak)
- Steve and Donna Chance (canoe)
- Robbie and Ashley Perkins (canoe)
- Damir Hasic
- Josh Abadie and Nik Svobda (canoe)
- Aaron Daly
Please read the General Information section (and this section: And now some words about preparation and behavior)
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Pictures from the June and July trips of 2002
These pictures were all taken with disposable cameras, the film developed, and then scanned.
Some of them are blurry (camera got something on lens probably). They are also mixed up
(in other words, both trips are interleaved). Thanks Nick for cranking out the html.
Here they are!
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General Information
I will be at the shopping center at Sherwood Forest and I-12 (South Sherwood Forest exit of I-12) at 7:50 AM. Coming from LSU you will take the Sherwood Forest exit, turn left and go under the I12 overpass, turn left at the second stop light on N. Harrell's Ferry and turn right into the shopping center driveway immediately behind the Burger King.
Anyone wanting to caravan with us should be there BEFORE 8:00 AM. At 8:00 AM
we will depart headed for Seminary Canoe Rental on old Highway 49 in Seminary, MS. We should
arrive there at about 11:00 AM. If you plan to canoe with us but are not
"caravaning" with us, please plan to meet at the Seminary Canoe Rental General Store on Old Highway 49..
Hopefully we will pay for the canoes at almost 11:00 (this is also where we end up when the canoe
trip is over. Seminary Canoe Rental will then take us on a bus to the place
where we get our canoes and start the adventure.
Here is the address of the store where we meet at 11:00 AM:
Seminary Canoe Rental
152 SCR Lane
Old Highway 49
Seminary, MS 39479
(866) 652-8662
(601) 722-4301
- This is on the river about 25 minutes north of the I-59 and Highway 49 intersection.
- Here is a link to driving directions to Seminary Canoe Rental spot from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, etc.(NOTE: From Baton Rouge take I12 east, not I10. It will save time and miles).
Here are the directions from Baton Rouge:
- Take I-12E approximately 75 miles.
- Merge onto I-59N, be careful as this curve is very steep and has caused many accidents!
- Continue 75.7 miles towards Hattiesburg.
- Exit on US Hwy 49N (Exit 67B) towards Jackson. Continue 17.5 miles
- Turn right on MS-590, the first paved right turn after you reach the Seminary sign.
- Cross the bridge and then the RR tracks
- Take an immediate right onto Old Hwy 49 (there is an old service station that has been converted into the "Dixie Diner" on the corner..
- There will be a hard curve in the road going back over the railroad tracks then a mile or two to down you will see a big Seminary Canoe sign on the left. Turn RIGHT here (there is no left turn).
Their info says the canoe trip is a 2-3 hour trip. It usually takes us 3-5 hours because:
- We do not paddle aggressively
- We usually stop and eat snacks several times
- We do not paddle aggressively
- We usually stop and swim several times
- We do not paddle aggressively
- We usually stop and play several times
- We do not paddle aggressively
- We lose time chasing down frisbees
- We do not paddle aggressively
- We lose time bailing out my canoe
- We do not paddle aggressively
According to their pricing info, the cost is as follows (based on 2006 info):
- $30 - canoe with 1 or 2 people
- $35 - canoe with 3 people
- $30 - kayak
These prices are for the canoe/kayak, paddle(s), and life vest(s). So two people
sharing a canoe pay a total of $30. Of course, they are free to change their
prices at any time. They also offer a $25 per canoe rate for parties of 6+ canoes
(during the week -- not Saturday/Sunday).
Personal experience is that 2 is the right number of people in a canoe. It is very
hard for 1 person to manage/steer a canoe by themselves. A canoe with 3 people is
cramped and difficult to balance (assuming the canoers are not very experienced).
And now some words about preparation and behavior
The goal of this outing is to have a lot of fun. Sunburns are not fun. Wet clothes to
ride home in are not fun. Being hungry is not fun. To make it easier for you, I have
compiled a list of suggestions that may make this trip better for you:
- Dress for a hot, wet day. I suggest a swim suit with shorts or jeans and
a shirt. Swimsuits are great in that they hold up to water well and make it fun when we
stop to play and swim. Jeans and a shirt help protect tender "geek" skin from sunburn.
An hour on water is much more likely to give you a sunburn that an hour in a field (the
reflection of the sun rays up from the water).
- Bring a change of clothes to put on after the canoe trip is over (clothes,
underwear, shoes, ...). They have natural (read cold) water showers that you can use
to clean up after the trip. You obviously will need a dry towel at the end of the trip
for this to be useful. Soap/shampoo is not a bad idea either -- if you can stand the cold
water that long). Be prepared to leave your dry clothes in the vehicle.
- Use suntan lotion. Use it before you get on the bus. Take it with you and
use it liberally throughout the trip. Few things are more aggravating than an hour in
a canoe on the water with a sunburn (not to mention the ride back home).
- Consider sandals or shoes for the canoe trip (unless you have tough feet).
At times the bottom of the canoe gets rather warm. Walking on the sand (at breaks) can
be tough on water-logged feet, also the rocks at the bottom of the river are hard..
- Hats are a good idea. Sun-burned ears, foreheads, necks can be a real pain.
- Food -- bring some. I suggest an ice chest with handles and a top the closes
FIRMLY (as in latches closed). I would put ice, water bottles, colas, juice, sandwiches,
chips, cookies, ... in the ice chest. Make sure to bag all food in zip-lock style bags
(Kathy double bags our stuff). Bring a rope to tie your ice chest to the canoe. If the
ice chest shifts from side to side, you dramatically increase the odds of flipping over.
If you flip over (regardless of what reason), anything not tied down can get lost and will get wet.
- Note that all containers should be plastic. GLASS is illegal.
- Alcoholic beverages are illegal.
- Cameras -- only bring water proof cameras. Others will probably not survive.
- Bring a garbage bag to put all your wet stuff in after you change at the end
of the trip.
- Glasses - bring you old glasses and/or cheap sunglasses to wear during the trip.
Consider straps to hold your glasses on. There is a possibility of losing your glasses (I have
lost 1 pair).
- A partner -- no guarantee they will have kayaks. Besides it makes it more fun.
- Money for the canoe.
- Money for food afterward and gas to get home. You are almost always starving after a day on/in the water.
- We typically hit a buffet in Hattiesburg before heading home.
Be aware that some people are more playful than others. Some folks think that splashing
each other during the trip is an absolute requirement. Do not be surprised if you get
splashed (hence one of the reasons to water clothes that can get wet). Also, water guns, frisbies and splash balls contribute to the wetness factor. Plus there are places to swim if you are so inclined and a tree with a rope swing.
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Canoe down the Okatoma on September 1, 2002 (Sunday of Labor Day Weekend)
We did it. We had a small group but had a lot of fun anyway.
- Isaac and Kathy Traxler
- Donna and Steve Chance
- Justin and Jonathan
- Gigi and Kinberly and Gaby
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Canoe down the Okatoma on August 18th, 2002
We made the trip! It was great (as usual). Thanks to Steve and Donna for hosting the cabin.
We had a great canoe trip on Sunday (the river was a lot less crowded). The supper
and games after the canoe trip Sunday excellent also. The breakfast the next
day was wonderful!
As always, please drop me an e-mail if you plan to go.
Folks who actually made:
- Isaac & Kathy Traxler
- Steve & Donna Chance
- Justin Merrill and Katherine
- Mikhail Miltchenko and Elizabeth
- Allen Gordon and Bean
- Josh Abadie and Nik Svoboda
- Mike and Holly Sherman
- Josef Kouba
Canoe down the Okatoma on July 13th, 2002
The weather was great! It was overcast (hence much cooler) all day.
We had a small drizzle as we returned to the cars.
Afterward, we all visited Mack's Fish Camp for supper.
Folks who made the trip:
- Isaac & Kathy Traxler
- Allen Gordon
- Brian Ropers-Huilman
- John Borne and son
- Steve & Donna Chance
- Xinlian Liu
- Li Zou and friend
- Dayong Huang and friend
Please send e-mail to
h2o@isaac.lsu.edu.
Canoe down the Okatoma on June 22nd, 2002
We did it and had a blast!
Actually went on trip Saturday:
- Isaac & Kathy Traxler
- Steve & Donna Chance
- Harry Smith and nephew Justin
- Justin Merrill and Katherine
- Raymond "tip-over" Johnson
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