I had several worries heading into this paddling trip.  Chief among them, however, was concerns over how John and Mania would tolerate, both physically and emotionally, such close and intense proximity to The Chapler Family for one weeks duration.  I don't know exactly how, or when it happened, but we have become, surprisingly, one of the loudest families that I have ever encountered.  Fortunately, with the aid of copious amounts of coffee, several bottles of red wine and not an insignificant volume of Bailey's, I am happy to report that both John and Mania have not only survived the experience, but also vowed to repeat it at some unknown date in the future.