Heading west the dry parched grassland turned to rocky scrub desert. There was an outlet mall in Palm Springs, which provided a good place for a rest and to stock up on discount Adidas hipster gear. This is where Douglas Coupland retreated back in the late 80's to write Generation X, one of my favorite novels. The place also became the setting for the work, the place of broken dreams and abandoned hopes.

Palm Springs was supposed to be the next biggest thing back in the 50's. Halfway between LA and Vegas, it was developed as a convenient retreat for the gliterari in the days before every minor sitcom costar and rock and roll one hit wonder was able to afford a private jet. Franks Sinatra and all the rat pack used it as a retreat. After the 60's all the speculation died out and the place becoming a habitat for starving artists and retired Hollywood types on a budget. A place where someone pushing thirty could afford to sit back in the midst of an early midlife crisis and contemplate failed expectations.