A DJ Saved My Life, Twice.

I made a trip back down south to go White Water rafting this weekend. It has become a tradition with some of my friends so I had to keep the tradition going even though I am all the way up North. This trip definitely tested me. I really think the South was trying to reject me. She was pissed I left and boy did she let me know.

I'll start from the beginning. I flew into Atlanta Friday night, then we headed to TN Saturday morning. Every summer, we go to High Country Adventures and raft down the Ocoee river. We rent a cabin so we can cook out, drink and spend the night. Let me tell you, if anyone earned her Grapefruit and Vodka that night, it was me.

First things first, I should of know our raft was screwed when Sara fell in the river before she even set one foot in the raft. DJ, our rafting guide, prefaces getting into the boat with, "now this is one of the most dangerous parts of the river. Watch your step getting in the raft. There is a step before the drop off." Well I guess Sara was in her own world cause damn if she didn't watch the step and was already floating in the Ocoee before we even got in the raft. Lord help us this is going to be a long trip down the river.

So all 6 of us, Kelli, Michelle, Sara, Cari (yes black people officially white water raft), Charlie and Me get in the boat and head down the river. Clint and Stacey had to go in another boat because they only sit 6. Kelli and I wanted to be in the front because we got the guns to paddle. Well that is what we said anyway. Truth is the front is just more fun. As we go down the river DJ tells us we are coming up on a dangerous rapid. If any of you have ever been white water rafting, the guide will usually call "all down" in dangerous areas. This is when you all get down and sit in the bottom of the raft. Well he warned us we would have to get all down because of the danger in this rapid. Well as we were paddling and before he called all down, damn if I didn't fall out the boat. You know it is bad when the guide starts yelling "NO NO NO" as you are falling out of the boat. Luckily I was able to grab the strap around the raft, but I still had a nasty spill. I rode with the raft through the rapid as I was pounded by the rocks below. Because of the suction it pulls you under the raft. Kelli said all she could see was my yellow helmet. Mean while all I could think was get your feet up, Shannon. Last thing I needed was my big ass foot to get caught under a rock and trap me. I made it through the rapid but I think I swallowed half the river. How DJ pulled me up I'll never know. This man is 5'-1" and about 125. The lord gave him strength that day for sure! As I coughed up half the river once I got in the boat, I told everyone I was OK. Then all I could say was, "oh no I lost my paddle." Needless to say that was the least of everyone else's worries. DJ told Cari to give me her paddle and away we went. Yes, I just cheated death and I still had to freaking paddle! That's how we roll in the front of the raft. Take it for the team!

After I finally settled back down and shared my adventures further down the river with Stacey and Clint in the other boat, we continued down the river. All was going good until yup, you guessed it, I fell in again. I don't know if it was because I was leaning too much or what. Needless to say this time it wasn't as bad. I drank more of the river and only hit one rock. Kelli pulled me in this time. I had the poor girl so worried every time I leaned she grabbed me. I had to tell her I wasn't falling in so she could relax. After that I learned to lean into the boat and not try to dig my paddle so far in the water. Ya'll know me, the events were probably very serious but all I could do was laugh and make fun of myself. I mean what idiot falls in twice, but hey I'm ready to go again next year.

We finished the river with no more problems and headed back to the cabin. We cooked out and just had fun hanging out. It is now tradition to play a few games of flip cup, so we invited the boys from the cabin next to us to partake in the excitement. They said they were 21, but honestly I questioned that. Either way, my team kicked ass! The winners were, Charlie, Cari, Clint and Myself. I must admit we did loose one round. Hey we had to let them win at least once. You know for someone who only learned about flip cup a few years ago, I must admit I am a natural talent. Next year I think we need to do a draft, that way I can get compensated for my expertise.

The next morning I woke up at the crack of dawn like an idiot. I cleaned up and sat outside reading Better Homes and Gardens and listening to my IPOD. I know I think I am turning into an old lady. One of the young guys from next door came out. He lit a cigarette and popped open a beer. "Breakfast of Champions," he said. I was like, "if you say so buddy." Um...my guess is he'll be meeting Betty Ford sometime soon in his life.

As the day went on I slowly noticed the bruises coming out. I guess I got beat up a little more than I thought swimming on the ground of the Ocoee. Oh well, I'll call them war wounds and consider them souvenirs from my trip. That is until someone thinks I am being beat up at home. I'll cross that bridge if it comes.

I had so much fun this weekend and miss all my girls already. You too Charlie! It has been hard making new friends up North, but this weekend really reminded me what great friends I have back home. I know you guys are always there for me and am glad I can put you in my TRUE friend category.