Brian A. Hopkins
Adventure Stylin' Made Easy

Oklahoma Dualsport Rally
12 - 15 Oct 2006

-- "Danny, is the heat turned on?" --

At some point in the night, I realized the heater was slow-roasting us (like a Juan Valdez coffee bean). I threw back my sleeping bag and tried to go back to sleep. Danny got out of bed and turned the heat down. Later, I woke up because I was freezing cold. I crawled back in my mummy bag and zipped it up to my chin. Danny got out of bed and turned the heat back up. Later, I woke up hot ... Danny turned the heat down ... Later I woke up cold ... Danny turned the heat back up. This went on most of the night. Danny got lots of exercise.

Friday morning found the campground shrouded in fog. Cotton-candy floated on the surface of the lake. Some Canadian geese sounded as if they were having an orgy amongst the lily pads. Chris Marlow's snoring could still be heard, roaring like a chainsaw in the hands of a deranged Texan.

(Photo courtesy of Rich Desmond.)

(Photo courtesy of Rich Desmond.)

After my shower and a partial drying with Danny's wet towel, I went out to check on my bike. The thermometer on the handlebars told the tale.  Brrrrrrrr!

We rode down the hill to see if Ashley had breakfast ready. I parked the Beemer beside my tent and watched as the sun made its ascent, slowly burning off the fog.

(Photo courtesy of Rich Desmond.)

When he finally got up, Chris looked as if he'd had a rough night in his tent, but I know different. Chris can sleep ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. I'd give my right nut to be able to sleep as easily as Chris does. Of course, I'd give my left nut for an R1200GS Adventure. My kidneys for a Husqvarna TE510. My pancreas for a CBR1000RR.  My ... You get the picture. If anyone actually took me up on all this, I'd be in pretty sad shape, what with all the tubes and colostomy bags hanging off my body, but damn would I have one hell of a stable of bikes!

Rich and Chris wait anxiously for Ashley's breakfast burritos.