The Sequoias

Chapter 8

I smiled, giggled, and climbed under the covers on my side of the bed. I held my arms open for him. "Time for sleeps. We have a big day tomorrow."

"We do." I smiled and took the invitation. "Love you, goodnight."

I kissed him softly, snuggled into him, and closed my eyes. "I love you, goodnight." I drifted easily off to sleep safe and warm in the arms of my love.

I woke moments before the alarm and lay still until it went off. "Time to get up. A quick shower, then out the door for breakfast and trees. We're going to see my oldest friends today. Up up up pretty baby."

I sighed and rolled over. "Five more minutes." I giggled and sat up. "Let's go meet your friends." I climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.

She had me for a second. I was so happy when she stood up and headed to the bathroom. I rolled out of bed grabbed out my clothes and headed into the bathroom to join her in the shower.

I took care of business and started the shower. It had several heads and a handheld. I set the temperature between our tastes and got in. There was a nice bench that ran the length of the back of the shower. It was very nice.

I joined her in the shower and was happy to find that the water wasn't going to melt my skin off so I laughed and stepped right under one of the showerheads. "Good morning"

"Good morning." I slipped my arms around him and kissed him softly. I reached for his body wash and loofah and started washing him.

I smiled into the kiss and relaxed as she washed me. I rinsed and washed her. "I wouldn't wash my hair today. We'll be outside in the trees most of the day."

"Okay." I wet it and left a little bit of conditioner in it. "We can have more fun with this shower later." I winked at him and got out and dried off. I french braided my hair and dressed in a pair of black running shorts, a blue tank top, little short socks, and my sneakers.

I just shook my head and chuckled as I looked around the shower. Yeah, we would. I got out of the shower and got dressed in a lightweight pair of sweats and a tee-shirt. I checked my backpack to make sure we had water, bug spray, sunscreen for her, which I held up, "You should put this on," and extra socks.

I nodded. "Wanna help? I thought the tree cover would be enough out here."

We are going to where the big trees grow. There's lots of space between them and enough sunlight to burn you. Sure, give me a sec." I finished what I was doing and then went over to help with her sunscreen. "Besides there are lots of places to stop and take pictures and overlooks and stuff where there will be no shade at all. For you -- sunscreen is a must, besides you can get a sunburn just sitting in the car." I laughed gently. "I don't get it."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Gotta love fair skin." I shrugged as he applied the sunscreen and put it back in the bag. I made sure my shoes were tied tight. "I think I am ready."

"I do," I laughed. "I don't know how you survive without constantly being red though." I made sure I had all that we needed and grabbed the keys. "Okay. Let's go."

"Before I met you, I didn't spend nearly as much time outside." I laughed and followed him out to the car.

"Well, what can I say?" I helped her into the car, not that she needed it, and went around to my side. "It's a winding ride up. You going to be alright?" I actually didn't know if she got car sick or not, she always fell asleep on our trips.

I nodded. "I'll be fine. I love roller coasters. Do you?"

"Sweet." We headed out and drove over to catch breakfast. We were seated without incident. "What are you thinking for breakfast. I'm grabbing something filling but light."

"That's a contradiction." I smiled and looked over the menu. "I think a steak omelet and some fruit."

"That should work. I didn't bring a cooler so we'll need to get one and put lunch in it. I don't want to come back down for lunch and then try to go back up again. We can order sandwiches and fruit or something. I can't believe I forgot that, Or we can pack Pb&J and fruit in my backpack." I nodded. "I like that better."

"That sounds perfect." The waitress came and he placed our orders. Our food arrived and it was perfect. We didn't talk much while we ate.

I packed sandwiches, chips, and apples in my bag and got us back on the road.

"Is there anything I need to know?"

"Um. I don't know. Have you ever been to a national park before? I know they have them back near you and just really pretty parks in general."

"I have been to some state parks and forest preserves, but no National parks."

"You'll be fine. We'll do bug spray when we get out there. I hate mosquitoes. They are the bane of my existence. I have sunscreen and water. It'll be fun. I will get quiet, just so you know. I always do up here."

"Okay." I kept my attention out the window as he drove up. It was so pretty and there were quite a few people doing the same thing. "Do you ever get bothered up here?"

"Not so much. True fans seem to respect the value I find up here, but there are on occasion a few bold ones. They say hi, get their hug, take a selfie and generally leave me be after that."

"That's good." I knew this was his sanctuary and I didn't want it ruined for him. "Are we almost there?" I was getting a little impatient.

"Awe, babe. You'll know when we are. Trust me. You'll see that first Sequoia and you won't be able to mistake it."