Disclaimer: This series of blog posts regarding our weekend to Santa Barbara was a mess of mixed-up images, followed by a longer post dated after our return that consolidated things into a single post. Here in November 2022, I’m repairing those mistakes.

Caroline and I got a late start on a short road trip to Southern California. After delays getting ready and missing the pick-up time for Caroline, we first had to stop at Starbucks as we were both tired, and then I needed a bite to eat, so In & Out Burger on the edge of Phoenix was our next stop. Finally underway, it is already 5:00 p.m., and we have almost 500 miles still ahead of us. It takes an hour and forty-five minutes to make our way across the desert to reach the California border. The 10 Freeway West offers little opportunity to stop for a photo. The scenery on the way out west is a vast landscape stretching flatly towards distant mountains. This time of year, you see a lot of browns.

From the former border control checkpoint, it takes another three and a half hours to reach Downtown Los Angeles. We exit at Alameda Avenue, which is also the Union Station exit, and turn left to enter the city center. Los Angeles at night nearly always offers a gorgeous view. Legs stretched, and road hypnosis shook free, we are again on our way to our final destination for the weekend, Santa Barbara.

The new Walt Disney Concert Hall is part of the Los Angeles Music Center.