the Thomson Knife LA → Palm Springs Run

LAX, 10:00
Bags collected, caffeine levels low, confidence high. We grab the hire car, throw it into drive, and like every self‑respecting Australian before us, instinctively turn left onto the wrong side of the road. One polite LA honk later, we’re corrected, humbled, and officially rolling. via In and Out of course, then Randy's donuts, ok now we're on our way.

Interstate 10: real‑life Mario Kart
Speed limit reads 70 mph, the flow screams 85. Four lanes wide, blurring into a shimmering desert horizon, we tuck in and surf the slipstream. Every over‑the‑shoulder check feels a little bit thrilling.

Hello, Palm Springs
Our motel - an unapologetic 1960s time capsule, best pool this side of Sinatra’s old place. We drop bags, free the Randy’s stash, YouTube our way through the espresso setup, and dive straight into that slice of turquoise heaven.

Poolside downtime
Hours dissolve. Sunlight warming our skin. We float, we snack, we exhale.

Dinner tonight? Mexican and beer—or was it beer then Mexican? Either way, we earned it, and the holiday has finally begun.

Next up: Joshua Tree? Wherever the asphalt leads, the donuts—are coming with us.

- Belinda Van Zanen