Those Johnston Kids were anxious for a little stability in their lives, and asked if we could stay at the infested Rainbow Falls for another night. I think the prospect of an afternoon on a paddlebike was a factor, but I acquiesced in order to give them the sense that this was their trip, as much as mine. The extended stay gave me time to realize that mosquitoes and blackflies work together in some sort of unholy alliance. The blackflies like to sleep in, so the mosquitoes do the dawn to lunchtime shift. Then the heat of the day chases them off to hide in the tall grass, and the squadrons of blackflies tag in to swarm anything still alive. We tried to count the number of bites on Short Pants’ torso, but gave up after 60. I would say he looks like he has smallpox, but that kind of humour might be too soon.

Yes, the paddlebike was got. It took 3 trips from the beach on one end of the campground to the office at the other, to get a) a key, b) a seat, and c) a working craft. I did not try it out, as I was still feeling sensitive after the paddleboat debacle, but Those Johnston Kids took off with a quickness and didn’t come back for almost two hours. They are not Olympic cyclists yet, so the paddlebike must be pretty efficient. They came back soaked in their hiking clothes. To a short person, all water activities involve immersion, whether or not a boat is being used.