Launched from Montecito on the Pacific coast at 11:11 this morning…
…rain or no rain; managed to escape the clutches of Montecito…
Turned out, driving through Camarillo, Calabasas, downtown LA, Glendale, Pasadena and Fontana… buckets of rain…
…all the way (198 miles) to Palm Springs.
Arrival 3:33.
I’m in no hurry. Without a destination, why would I be?
Don’t want to drive more than five-six hours a day: Depart mid-morning, arrive someplace special in time for cocktails.
Palm Springs has never been my destination of choice. Its usual heat leaves me dry.
But today this desert oasis is moody and moist—a most welcome sight after paddling down an atmospheric river.
On so cool an evening, no finer place than Melvyn’s for cozying up to a Bourbon Manhattan and the world’s best chicken pot pie (hearty but light) while a piano bar minstrel, Ron Pass, sings “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” with a flair not heard since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid graced the silver screen over half-a-century ago.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. wrote: “The only proof for the existence of God is music.”
I awakened this morning at 3 a.m. and thereafter could not return to slumber as my comfort zone relentlessly questioned the wisdom of being officially homeless and journeying across America.
Which means this: I’m way ahead of schedule with the kind of natural high that comes from road fever.
Last time I was at Melvyns .... (only time) ..... Frank Sinatra
was seated on my right. Must have been about 50 years ago !!!!
Porca miseria ..... the years fly by, indeed. I was perhaps 20!
Buon viaggio, Robert.
Like you Robert,,,I do love a good road trip, and your new ride looks perfect for it, I assume it has a very good sound system in it for great tunes to enhance your mood, not that it will need much enhancing,,,you have alll the right ingredientsv for a great adventure !!
ATB/ AKJ