25% of the earth's water = 25% of the earth's mosquitoes

The first part of that title is undisputed; this part of the world contains 25th of the earth's water. The second part of today's title might be a bit of an exaggeration! For the moment, let me tell you, I believe.

It's Thursday afternoon on a day which started out quite warm and slightly muggy. For those of you living in the south, you wouldn't have noticed, but the folks here were a bit on edge. By early afternoon thunder distinct in the distance and Tal and I came in off the water. The wind picked up and the temperature dropped almost simultaneously and -- what a storm. Pat (proprietor of Shining Falls Lodge along with his wife, Chickie) considered a kite and a key to give the generator a rest ... The heavenly electrics have calmed down now. The wind's brisk and gusty, nothing to keep us from fishing again today. And, the mosquitoes won't have a chance ...

I probably don't need to tell you that we're having a wonderful time. The days are just slipping away too, too fast. We're in camp with three other parties, two of them on the housekeeping plan (meaning they 're doing their own cooking). Tal and I, with a family from Buffalo Wyoming, are enjoying Chickie's cooking three times a day. They are the Gonzalezes -- a mom and dad, dad's dad, three children and one cousin. Having the children around reminds me of my camp counselor days. They're full of questions and ideas, open to conversation with everyone, best friends with the Harristhal's two dogs and cat, enthused by everything associated with fishing for walleye and pike. The three adults are quietly teaching all the time, patient -- and tired. When the conversation gets to be too much, I have the luxury of retreating to cabin 4.

I'm getting better at driving the boat. The fishing technique is a slow back troll. Keeping up with the boat and the fishing proves to be too much at times and I have to admit defeat and concentrate on the boat. I have, however, learned to set the hook BEFORE shifting to neutral. The other way around and the fish makes its escape! To quote Badlands Meany, "curses, foiled again."

I wish you could have seen the full moon the last two nights. Tuesday evening it was bright and clear, producing a golden path from us on our deck to it across the water. Last night it rode low in the sky behind thin clouds, a softly glowing orb. Giving up and going to bed both nights was hard.