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We all got into our sleeping bags and were dozing pretty good.
The wind kept whipping up and blowing smoke back down the chimney
of the stove, so occasionally we would smell some smoke. But around
3:00 in the morning, we were awakened to John shouting "Fire in
the tent!" This was his response to Courtney's single "Gasp" and
Terri whispering to Jeff "There's a fire in the tent."
We all scurried to get out of our sleeping bags while the tent
was filling with smoke. It was very difficult to breathe, but I
was in my long johns and was weighing which would be worse - to
die from smoke inhalation or to freeze outside in the 16 degree
snow. I opted to lie back and breathe through my shirt that offered
a little bit of filter. Once the smoke cleared and everyone came
back shivering into the tent, I decided to take this opportunity
to step out and get a breath of fresh air and make some more yellow
snow before going back to sleep.
Did I say go back to sleep? Ha! From 3:00AM until we arose around
8:00ish I didn't even doze. I was wide awake the rest of the night.
I had John to my left and Dean to my right. We were literally like
a can of sardines. I turn to my left and I'm spooning John. I turn
to my right and I'm spooning Dean. Normally, this would be a good
thing, but when you're as tired as I was, a little knee-bending
space was at the top of my fantasy list.
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