kitchtrips

It’s a high school prom, it’s a Springsteen song
It’s a ride in a Chevrolet, it’s a man on the moon
And fireflies in June, and kids sellin’ lemonade
It’s cities and farms, it’s open arms
One nation under God
It’s America

It’s a high school prom, it’s a Springsteen song
It’s a ride in a Chevrolet, it’s a man on the moon
And fireflies in June, and kids sellin’ lemonade
It’s cities and farms, it’s open arms
One nation under God
It’s America

– Rodney Atkins

Thursday 9 May, 2024

It’s good to be back in America, for the second May in a row. I’m happy to report that, unlike one year ago, my suitcase arrived to the US on the same plane as me. Seeing my bag come towards me on the carousel is a sight I will never take for granted again!

The Indianapolis 500 is on the horizon in a few weeks, but we have stops in Boise, Idaho and Austin, Texas before we head to the Hoosier state for what I will tell anyone who asks is the greatest race in the world.

First things first, Los Angeles. The flight across the Pacific Ocean was fine, lasting for a tick over twelve hours. Watched a few movies and some TV in the first half of the flight and spent the last half mostly asleep, which was good. Our seats were right near the back of the plane, and a double rather than a triple, so, in my customary aisle seat, I had plenty of room to stretch my legs out. Still, not as much sleep as I’d like, but what can you do?

Landing in Los Angeles just after 6:00am on Thursday – which, crazily, is three hours earlier than when we left Sydney on the same day – we had a dream run through customs, and were at the Budget hire car lot about an hour after we stepped off the plane. Landing early, just after customs opens, clearly works.

From the airport, we went to a breakfast spot in Westchester County. I can’t remember the last time when I was so glad to have someone pour me a big cup of coffee. Thursday was a day for being fuelled by coffee, and copious amounts of it. The food at this place – The Breakfast Nook – was very American and very good. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

We went to Culver City after breakfast, to get an American SIM for my iPhone. The Verizon store we visited was able to install an e-SIM rather than a physical one, which saves having to take my Australian one out of my phone. I always try to find a Verizon store, primarily because they sponsor Australia’s Will Power in the IndyCar Series.

Whilst it was cloudy when we landed, the sun came out mid-morning, so we drove over to Manhattan Beach and walked down to Hermosa Beach, past many million-dollar dwellings perched right on the sand, and had lunch outdoors at an Irish pub, whose classic rock soundtrack was on point. A great atmosphere, and good food (and beer!).

In the afternoon, something cool: we drove over to a studio in Burbank where some friends who are in The Voice house band were running through rehearsals with the contestants. I’ve known some of those guys for going on twenty years, since “Rockstar: INXS” in 2005 – honestly, where does time go? – and they are still white-hot musicians and good people. No wonder The Voice has notched up nearly a quarter-century of seasons, and the house band has been the same all the way through.

Even though I’m here often enough, due to the vagaries of scheduling television, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen them play live – nearly a decade, actually. Big thanks to Nate for setting it up. Call it a timely reminder of how good those guys are.

After rehearsals wrapped, we went to dinner with Nate at an excellent Mexican restaurant in the suburb of Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley. Great to sit outside – the temperature was perfect – eat great food and listening to Nate’s stories and doing some reminiscing about Rockstar. Hanging with Nate is always a fun time.

The only downside to an amazing first day was that we got back to our LAX-area hotel just before 11:00pm and we need to be awake at 3:30am for our flight up to Boise. I expect to do plenty of sleeping on that flight!