That made sense, since I couldn’t see the danger that lay between us, and, in the moment, there was no time for detailed explanations.

“Also,” I added, “when you did manage to stay right in front of me so I could hear, our boats rammed into each other a few times, and I almost flipped.”

“There must be a better way for me to convey the necessary information to get you safely and confidently down these rapids,” said Rob. “Let me think on it.”

Rob headed out to photograph birds, and I went over to check out what the family was up to. Eddi had challenged the kids to a rock-skipping competition, after which the kids decided to build a fort on the sand with rocks and driftwood. I sat in the warm sand and listened to their construction project and other pursuits.

Dressed just in swimsuits, the kids became caked with sand and river mud as they played for hours. It was great for them to be away from electronic entertainment, instead using only their imaginations and objects provided by nature. Sticks and deer antlers became swords, and raven feathers their warrior headdresses.

When our flotilla left camp the next morning, I floated along between the lead raft and a caboose raft. Rob and I ducked beneath the water fights that broke out between the different factions. Eddi had brought along an arsenal of high-powered water guns—a Stream Machine, an Aqua Blaster, and his secret weapon, the dreaded Hydro Stik.

Arjun led the charge, followed by Eddi and Edwin. They would paddle their inflatable duckies quietly into position and ambush the girls relaxing on the raft. I loved hearing Emma and Brooklyn shriek as they were drenched with water. That would always begin the water-war games that lasted for hours.

As we all moved easily downriver in the rising heat of the day, I practiced my roll and had the kids count how long I could stay under. Upside down, time tends to speed up as your instincts scream for you to get upright again. My goal was to reach five seconds. On my first try, I popped up and proclaimed, “I did it. Five seconds,” and lifted my paddle in the air. Everyone was laughing.

“Dad, try two seconds,” Arjun said, smiling. I couldn’t help laughing along with them. They were having so much fun at my expense as I stressed out underwater.

“This time, I’m definitely making five seconds,” I vowed. I flipped again and made a couple attempts to roll up but, for some reason, couldn’t pull it off. Each time my head came partway out of the water, I could hear the kids on the rafts counting, “One, two, three, four, five…”