The Cadillac's engine roared softly as I turned the key in the ignition. With the sky still dark and the campus streets nearly deserted, the car seemed too luxurious for our little expedition, but Olivia insisted that the trip be done in style. And frankly, I wasn't about to complain if it meant comfortable seats and a more relaxed ride.
Lindsay settled into the passenger seat with a thermos of coffee in her hands, while Olivia got comfortable in the backseat with her usual energy, despite having woken up just minutes ago.
—"Come on, guys! This weekend is going to be legendary!" she exclaimed, adjusting her seatbelt.
—"Only if we manage to leave campus without you forgetting something," I muttered, checking the mirrors before putting the car in motion.
Olivia stuck out her tongue and leaned back with a smile.
No sooner had we left the university than Olivia pulled out her phone and connected it to the car's sound system. Not even five minutes had passed when the catchy rhythm of "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter began to play.
Now he's thinkin' 'bout me every night, oh
Is it that sweet? I guess so
Say you can't sleep, baby, I know
That's that me espresso—"That's that me espresso…" Olivia hummed, moving around in the backseat with a radiant smile. "Come on, Lindsay!"
Lindsay laughed and shook her head, but it didn't take long for her to join in.
Move it up, down, left, right, oh
Switch it up like Nintendo
Say you can't sleep, baby, I know
That's that me espresso
I rolled my eyes but said nothing. We hit the road, leaving Stanford behind as the first light of dawn began to paint the sky in orange hues. The drive to Yosemite would be long—about three and a half hours not counting stops—but at least the roads were clear at this hour.
We drove south on US-101 before heading east on I-580, passing through Oakland as the city slowly woke up. The lights from the buildings flickered as we crossed the bridge, then we entered I-205 East, leaving the bay behind and heading inland. As we moved forward, the city faded away, and the landscape became more rural, with rolling hills and vineyards scattered along the way.
—"I can't believe you're not singing with us, Sack," Olivia complained. "Not even a little bit? Not even the chorus?"
—"I'm driving," I replied without taking my eyes off the road.
—"That's no excuse," Lindsay chimed in, amused.
Between laughter and jokes, we kept changing songs. At one point, "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd came on, and Olivia turned up the volume enthusiastically.
I've been tryna call
I'm going through withdrawals
You don't even have to do too much
You can turn me on with just a touch, baby
Lindsay and Olivia belted out the chorus with energy, swaying to the beat of the music.
I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the lights
No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch…
When the song ended, there was a brief moment of shared silence. Olivia leaned back in the rear seat, gazing out the window with a peaceful smile. Lindsay took a sip of her coffee, letting out a small sigh.
—"It's strange to think that in a few hours, we'll be surrounded by giant trees and fresh air," Lindsay commented, breaking the silence.
—"Yeah, it's like the real world stops up there," Olivia added, still looking out the window.
The air grew cooler as we approached the mountains, and the vegetation thickened. Sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating small patches of the road. It was impossible not to feel a little more relaxed in the face of such natural beauty.
—"And we haven't even reached the best part yet," I said, focused on the road as we slowly ascended through the winding forest paths.
But Olivia wasn't about to let the opportunity pass.
—"Sack, if you don't sing during the next song, we're putting this one on repeat until we get there," she threatened with a mischievous smile.
I kept my expression impassive and simply turned up the radio volume slightly to drown out her insistence. Olivia and Lindsay exchanged glances, laughed, and went back to singing as if they were at a private concert.
After several hours of driving, the scenery transformed completely. Giant sequoia trees began to dominate the horizon, their towering trunks seeming to touch the sky. The fresh, clean air of Yosemite filled the car, bringing with it the scent of pine and damp earth, contrasting sharply with the bustle of the city we had left behind.
Finally, we approached The Ahwahnee Hotel, an architectural icon nestled in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Though the main building was impressive, Olivia led us to one of the private cabins within the complex, reserved for the most distinguished guests. As a shareholder of the property, her family had access to these hidden gems, secluded from the crowds but close to everything the hotel offered.
The cabin was a perfect retreat. Built with noble wood and natural stone, it blended harmoniously with its surroundings. At the entrance, wicker chairs and a low table invited us to enjoy the fresh air. Inside, high ceilings with exposed beams and a stone fireplace created a warm and cozy atmosphere. The living room featured leather sofas and rustic tables, while an open kitchen, equipped with the essentials, peeked out through a large window overlooking the forest.
The bedrooms were comfortable and elegant. The master bedroom had a king-size bed with handwoven blankets and an impressive view of the treetops. The smaller bedroom, ideal for Olivia, had two twin beds and a desk by the window. Both shared a spacious bathroom with a bathtub perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration.
In the back, a private terrace with a hot tub offered the ideal spot to unwind, surrounded by vegetation and the murmur of a nearby stream.
—"Welcome to our weekend refuge," Olivia said proudly, spreading her arms as if hosting a TV show. "What do you think?"
Lindsay let out a low whistle as she looked around the room.
—"This isn't a cabin, Olivia. This is a palace in the middle of the woods."
—"I know, right?" Olivia responded, clearly pleased with our reaction. "My family has been coming here since I was a kid. It's my favorite place in the world."
I stayed silent, observing the surroundings. It wasn't easy to impress me, but even I had to admit that this place had something special. It was as if time slowed down here, allowing you to completely disconnect from the chaos of the outside world.
—"Well, now that we're here, what do we do first?" I asked, placing the car keys on the kitchen table.