Friday
Even though I’m based in New York, for work reasons, I’m spending 2 weeks in Sacramento California. Planning on taking advantage of this, I have in mind to visit the famous Yosemite National Park over the weekend. Riding my faithful red ride (rental car) and equipped with my prehistorical GPS, I’m heading to the park. It’s 3h30 to 4h away with only a small part on the highway. The speed limit is only 65mph on the highway anyway so it’s super boring it’s going to take a while no matter what. After about 1 hour going south, it’s time to turn east toward the mountains.
The road is nice and not crowded at all making it very pleasant. Half-way through, I take a break to feed the car and myself. The original plan was to eat something quickly and be on my way for the 2nd half of the trip but after a year in the US I started changing a bit. It’s a big change for me to start talking to people without a particular motive. I also do it “American style” which consists of saying out loud what crosses your mind to the unlucky person happening to be next to you at that moment. And it’s not even required to say hello or introduce yourself... that usually only happens after a good 45min to an hour when either one needs to go. It still feels very weird to me but I surprise myself doing it more and more. Long story short, the guy’s parents were in the military and he got to see lots of different places in the world while growing up and he never settled anywhere really. 1h30 later, I really have to go to avoid arriving too late in the park but it was super nice talking to that guy.
I’m getting deeper and deeper into the mountains; the road is playful and empty, one just has to avoid the wildlife. My electronic toys abandon me one after the other. After having lost 3G on my phone, now the GPS is struggling to get a signal… I take that as a sign that I’m getting close. There are not enough roads in the park to lose yourself anyway so I find my destination pretty easily. Here I am Tuolumne Meadows Lodge!
It’s a heated tent but I’m in charge of tending the fire. I get it to start at the first attempt but can’t help some sarcastic/mocking thoughts for Daddy ;) (<-- My grand-father, expert in all things wood/fire/rustic related). It’s midnight already, the sky is breathtaking but I’ve got a busy schedule tomorrow so it’s time to bury myself under tons of sheets and blankets… which brings back memories of the vacation at my grand-parents in the south of Belgium :D I wake up in the middle of the night, the fire is out and I’m freezing. I don’t have the courage to revive it so I just add another ton of blankets to finish the night.