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You asked for it! Tent-mates
I recently stumbled across your riding stories and spent an entire afternoon and night going through them. Now I can't wait to read your next one. The one I enjoyed the most was in your Dear Muthuh page from the lady in Virginia who put up some guy overnight on his ride through her city. I thought I'd share a similar experience. You asked for it...here's my story!
I live in Sturgis, SD and run a small campground in a vacant yard every year. I even know the lady you stayed with in 2000, although I don't think she does a campground anymore. Last year a few months before the August Rally, I bumped into a dude on the computer who wanted information about where to stay in Sturgis - it was going to be his first time at the rally. I mentioned my place and he seemed really interested but wasn't able to commit because he was still unsure if he'd be able to ride out here from Pennsylvania. We talked often online and I was hoping to meet him. I knew he was married and his wife wasn't going to be joining him. That's OK, I'm married too, and my husband runs the ranch during Rally preferring to stay away from town those two weeks.
I kinda lost touch with him in the month prior to rally with all the goings-on of getting ready. Two-days into the main rally week, he shows up one morning looking for a spot to pitch his tent. Oh my god! he was a hunk of a man! I was quite flustered as I looked at my overflowing campsite and had to tell him there were no spots left. The look of dejection on his gorgeous face broke my heart, so I did something I never would have done otherwise.
I mentioned to him that my own tent was quite large and he could crash in there for the night, but he'd have to find someplace else in the morning because my husband would be there by noon with supplies. I felt absolutely decadent offering this, but this Marlboro Man on his dusty Harley with gear and bags tied all over it was too much for me!
I really didn't think I was being too naughty in offering this because I was usually up til 3am partying and back out stoking up the firepit by 7am with hot coffee and Danishes for my other tenters. He smiled and asked me if I was sure that'd be OK, and my knees got weak!
We spent the rest of the morning around the fire with me running around doing small favors for my guests and chatting with everyone who sat by the fire. My best friend showed up at noon and took over campground manager duties, and instead of crashing for a couple of hours as I usually do, getting plenty of rest before another evening in Sturgis, I accepted this guy's offer of a ride on his bike.
He had never been to Sturgis before so I showed him the nice back roads and canyons and bars and party spots. We drove by the Buffalo Chip to see if anything was available and I went to see a friend of mine who helps run it. He told me they had a few tent-only spots available. My heart sank as I told this guy he could get a spot here instead. He said nothing for a moment and looked at me saying - mind if I stay with you this one night?
Well, of course I said yeah! After the day of riding around, showing him places the usual visitors never see, we spent the late afternoon on Main Street and in the bars and got quite toasty. I had to get back on duty at the campground and he stayed with me helping out with chores and getting the fire going at dusk. He'd go off every once in a while to take in Main Street, but returned often - and I was glad to see him.
There was plenty of Tequilla and doobies and beer...plenty of antics, impromptu wet T-shirt contests, and stories. Everyone was having a great time (in fact wasn't a fight the entire week!) and by 1am his eyes were drooping, so I suggested he go ahead and lay out his bag on the far right side of the tent I was using. When he left, I couldn't keep my mind off the tent and the new friend I had laying in it. I've never cheated on my husband before, even during the many Rally's I've been through, but tonight was questionable.
By 2am I had had enough and left the party-goers on their own and slipped into my tent. He had laid out his sleeping bag right next to mine, zipper open, bare legs splayed out across the foot of my blankets and sound asleep. I had to bite my tongue! After I curled up on the floor and wrapped myself in the blanket, I felt him roll over, place his arm protectively over my waist and resumed his steady, deep breathing. I'll admit I pressed myself closer to him enjoying the warmth and body heat, thinking every bad thought there was at this point, but like him, fell asleep.
Unlike your other writer, Jewel, we woke up still curled up together - I'll leave the rest of the morning to your imagination, but I agree with her that some of the people you meet online turn out to be some of the greatest people - we're still best friends. I'll always look for someone to show around my part of the world as they ride through - if you ever head this way - look me up ...during Rally or not!
- Carnie
-Muthuh  For Information, contact: Muthuh@Muthuh.com
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Carnie - Hey! If I have someone willing to pitch a tent for me and let me crash in it so I don't have to carry tenting gear, I'm all for it! Thats what happened in Sturgis in 2000 - and was a highlight of my trip... sleeping right on Junction Street in a tent provided by the camp owner. Next time, I'll look you up!