READ: LA & BACK: OUR 2YEAR TRIP RECAP

The entire weekend felt like one long field trip, starting with a 3 part rendezvous at Sea-Tac airport before the sun could be seen. 5AM in Sea-Tac is a dream in comparison to most major airports but after going through the strip search that is any TSA security checkpoint we were all a little less enthusiastic. That would quickly change after kissing our significant others and boarding the plane while they shuffled down to their gate to wait for a flight that was a hour or so after our take off. But we had a layover in our itinerary that they girls did not have to deal with so we spent 45 mins staring daggers into our phones while slouching in Oakland airport terminal seating. One hour later we found ourselves in LA at approximately 7AM doing the exact same thing while waiting for the ladies to land. But in the bustle of LAX you find little time to zone out into your phone when there are so many people to watch. Quickly you realize you are no longer in the Northwest when beach and flight clothes blend together as one before 10AM.

The ladies finally landed around 9 and it was off to the races. Perry and the crew made a stop at the infamous Serving Spoon for breakfast after grabbing the rental while the other half of us went in search of LA’s newest addition - Shake Shack. Score 1 for P and the team going where they know it’s going to be good for the belly and the soul because Shake Shack LA was a waste of time and taste buds. LA does not have their hand on the pulse of the Shake Shack experience. They yuppied it up in the worst way and it will never again be a destination when in West Hollywood. Following food it was off to make sure product landed safely and gauge setup for the following day on RSWD. We were met with backwood smoke, hand shakes and hugs and what was suppose to be a mock setup session turned into full on merchandising from 1:30- 7:00PM. We folded, hung, merchandised and re-merchandised our pop-up display, the entire time I was using the excuse of hanging until 530 in order link with Claudio and have our window decals installed. Getting the logo onto those windows was the number 1 priority – never happened. What did take place were small groups of LA homies that had caught wind we were lurking the block and they pulled up to parlay a day early with the 907. Reefer was ignited and a beer or two was consumed.

After 7, we attempted to go to our hotels for a regroup and rage until the wee hours of the night but after a terrible experience at some eatery in Burbank named Catcher in the Rye (gross) and falling asleep at the table waiting for tacos that turned out to be horrible we decided to call it a night and charge up for the next day of festivities.

It worked and at 830 in the morning (a hour later than planned) the Club907 crew met at Canter’s for staff breakfast. We met Anna a sweet waitress who could not understand why Perris kept ordering so much water. But by the time we were cashing out she was treating it like spectacle baiting/asking him if he was sure he didn’t want another glass while simultaneously laughing. She earned her tip. But we were running late to meet Claudio who never showed before closing the day before to install the window decals. He had to loop the block a few times before we arrived. The decals made it up with maybe 20 mins to spare. Not long after the doors were open the day was in motion and shoppers and homies started pouring into the store & posting up on the street. It was THICK by 1PM and looked like the party was starting long before 7pm if you happened to be walking past. It immediately took me back to the good ole days on RSWD, it was a feeling I wasn't sure I missed until I had it back.

The hottest items were of course the LA references. The Mamba Tribute was the first to sell out, then Dodge’ Em in any normal sizes, then the jersey and things kept rolling from there. We took a ton of photos with friends, fans, fam, RSWD OGS, big homies and whoever else asked for a flick. Bobby came through early to see the setup and to inform people in the snapchat universe about the day and why and how long it was going to last. Ben wouldn't show up until a little later in the day per usual and left after a short while but the 12 year Black Label bottle he brought as a congratulations gift stayed behind. Thanks again Ben. There was no need to crack it - Five had been pouring everybody and anybody cups of Hennessy and champagne over and over again since 11AM, shoppers and loiters were all light on their toes.

By 7 the racks were light as a feather as well and it was time to do the taco. It was way back in the day that Ben started doing business with a specific taco man, no truck, no fancy grill, just quality ingredients and precise preparation. I attempted to disclaimer how amazing Jaime's family tacos are in terms of authentic tacos and no one understood until that first bite. After that bite homies from every corner of the party were making sure to make eye contact and throw me the head nod of approval. It was a pleasure to share the nostalgic feeling. After tacos comes the party and with the party came the police, classic RSWD, but Five was trained well and took it upon his shoulders to deescalate the moment. Chatting with the officers about the event, agreeing to there criteria for letting this continue and acquiring contact information. Whatever he did worked but we were forced to pile everybody indoors - best thing that could have happened. Once all inside Five made the announcement - no leaving unless you're gone and smoke one if you rolled one just don’t take it outside. A quick reminder WA is lit for being legalized.

Spit hit the DJ booth and the party went crazy, people were actually dancing, he tagged in our good friend KTtheTerrible and things seemed to hit a new level, chanting, smiling, jumping, eTc. We danced and drank until about 10 (a hour longer then planned). Beyond intoxicated not one of us made it out to play in the Hollywood lights that night.

Sunday morning we rushed to re-merchandise before RSWD opened at 12 but we didn’t get there until about 12. Ours thoughts were “it will be a mellow day” but there was a small and early rush of people who had seen the festivities of social media the day before that came to be a part of the mix. Insert more reefer more beer. We only went until 3 because a flight was waiting for us at 6 with a 45 min drive ahead of us to the airport. So at 3 we scrambled to box up the leftover product and hop in the car to make it to the chaos that is LAX. We made it with a little times to spare which pissed me off because we had time for In n Out and I knew it!! But it was a short wait to a 2-hour nap and then the screech of the landing gears. The entire weekend felt like one long day with a gap for a nap. So who’s coming with us next year??