How You Get a Tetanus Shot From Kayaking
Only recently my left arm stopped hurting. The pain, which prevented me from scratching my own back, subsided and allowed me to once again resume my scratching pleasures.
Why was my arm hurting? I received my DTaP shot which helps to prevent tetanus (as well as diptheria and whooping cough). And no, I did not start my Tuesday, Nov. 11 planning on getting a shot. Nor did I plan on the mysterious scratches on my lower back, 7-inch gash on my thigh, and scratch on my knee. Although it would hilarious to make up a story about how those wounds came from my boyfriend beating me up for not serving rice with his chicken, that’s not the case. Ah, the plot thickens…
Rhea had gone kayaking before and thought that on this Veteran’s, no-school, day it would be wonderful for the rest of us to try. So three couples took the journey north to Weeki Wachee.
Weeki Wachee is a town most famous for its underwater mermaid show. Beyond that it’s a great camping area with sparkling rivers. Beyond THAT… um… it has a cool name. Unfortunately, the mermaid show/ water park was closed for the season leaving travelers to enter the kayak/ canoe rental area nearby.
Dong and I took the canoe. Based on the observations of my friends, not only were we always at the back of our line, but our canoe moved in a motion similar to a one-finned salmon. Hanging branches and tree roots became my friends while Dong and I argued over how to steer.
But the Weeki Wachee river… HUMINA HUMINA WOW! You could see to the bottom which ranged from two feet to perhaps 10 feet deep. At the beginning, the water’s current pulled everyone forward. Eel-like fish and huge sparkly white fish swam around. I became close friends with them as well. As Dong and I approached another branch coming at our faces we both leaned left– and into the water.
Ryan and Rhea caught our things, which floated forward to them, while Jay helped overturn the sinking boat. I did my best Michael Phelps against the current until I had found an underwater log high enough for me to climb back into the canoe. Dark-skinned, Sherpa Jay became our native superman for the day… and no this still doesn’t explain the tetanus shot.
Throughout the river there are trees nailed with boards for people to climb then jump into the water. The people in front of us had managed to dominate the one tree with a rope to swing from. One particular branch stretched out over the water. Because I’ve never climbed trees, this was an ideal beginner. After a quick accident where I tried to stand up at the trunk and ended up slipping, twisting my ankle, and falling face first into the water, I managed to scoot up the branch.
Rhea said this branch USED to have boards. All that remained were nails– ah, you sense the culprit of my misfortune as well right? As I turned to prepare for my jump, my thigh rammed into the nails causing blood. To further that I jumped into the water adding who-knows-what natural bacteria to my cut. (Later, my pediatrician dad tells me to get it checked out and the doctor ended up giving me the shot… but God bless the insurance company) Now I may continue my story without interruption…
For most of the journey there is nothing but trees and swamp. Later, a calmer river brought us to some houses. It was here that we saw manatees just lazily swimming below. Rules permit boaters to swim with the manatees, but not chase them. I merely placed a hand against its potato-like skin.
Been couples kayaking. Good way to get a couple to start arguing. Of course the more intelligent couples would learn how to steer individually, and then work together and properly communicate.