(The 5 & 405 freeway merge south of Los Angeles) br br br As Oz disappears from your rearview br beyond the giant asphalt merge br br comic book chaos and cold cash relents br and the real California dream br br awakens. br br The sky rediscovers its blue, unclenching fists of br clouds melting into the sun. br br South of the 405 California remembers its roots br and everything tastes better with salsa. br br You can lose all track of time br and never be late for anything. br br Freeways fly and bend, losing all perspective br bridging entire mountains of dust. br br Sunsets hang somehow longer br suspended over the Pacific br br day seducing night br sinking slowly, sizzling and wet. br br Somewhere between Laguna and Mexico br with the windows down and the West streaming in br br destination becomes irrelevant br for I am home.