Day 18: Three days in one (Mesa to Palmdale)

Today felt like three days in one.

Day one was all uphill: A six hour drive from Phoenix to California.

We rolled up to the venue trading fist bumps with the other bands. A sneaky feeling of relief behind everyone's ears that we'd all made it there safe.

"Did you see the burning car on the side of the road?"

"Fucking crazy."

Day two was the show: Landlocked at the venue. Living in our little universe.

By now, everything's on autopilot; load in the gear, set up the merch, sound check, wait. I Didn't even have time to eat before showtime, all normalcy surrendered for the performance.

I noticed nostalgia was hitting me. This adventure is almost over. Strung Out, the band headlining, is playing one of my favorite albums at these shows. Tonight, I made sure to honor it. I stood in the front as a fan and sang my heart out, then camped on the side of the stage as a colleague to watch them work themselves into a pulp.

Day three began once lights were out. We had a two hour drive to Anaheim so that we could sleep at the same hotel for the next three nights to finish the tour.

Eight hours on the road today. With my head finally on a pillow, a Latino kid that was at the show sent a message through social media.

"I'm proud to see a band like you on a stage like this. Thank you for playing."

That made my day. All three of them.