“Beaumont, Banning and Blythe” would be a great idea for a song.

Southern California east of Moreno Valley is like another state.

Steaks ’n’ Cakes is still operating off the last California exit before Arizona on Interstate 10. Amazing. Except this time it was “Steaks ’n’ French Toast” because they were out of cakes.

The old town of Blythe is dead, rusted and falling apart. But they now have a Starbucks and a Chipotle restaurant. Soon the “other” California will invade this place and Steaks ’n’ Cakes will be more.

The wildflower explosion I was expecting in Arizona hasn’t hit yet the way it has in Death Valley.

They like Sixpence None the Richer in Arizona. I’ve heard three of their songs since I’ve been here and one of them wasn’t “Kiss Me.” One of them was “Breathe,” a song you can’t help but worship when you hear it. And the beauty is, you can hear it anywhere. I heard it in Starbucks. Listen here if you want.

Just across the line into Arizona, gas was $3.29. It was $6.10 where I last filled up in my town in California. I guess they don’t know yet that there’s a war in Iran.

People in Arizona are unpretentious. There’s a whole bunch of folks attending a convention near my downtown hotel all dressed in weird costumes like it was Halloween. I asked one of them why, and they shrugged and said, “We’re just crazy.” And a couple just walked into the Starbucks where I’m at right now wearing identical T-shirts. Sorry, but that just wouldn’t be cool in California.

If you choose your hotels based on their workout rooms, pools, saunas, Jacuzzis, restaurants, free hot breakfasts, room service, easy parking and modern amenities, you would not like the hotel I’m staying at in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It has absolutely none of the above. But what it does have is history. Wait for the next Catch when I will explain all the things that are great about the Hotel San Carlos built in 1928.

Take my sorrow and my sin
I will run into your arms again
Hold me, father
Once again my tears are dried
By your perfect love that’s river-wide
Overflowing
As I stand on its bank with my arms overhead
I am overcome
As I breathe
The air of heaven
Drawing in your fragrance
When I breathe
I feel your fullness
Come alive inside of me
You’re the breath that I breathe
                 – Sixpence None the Richer