For years the pleasure of a concert at the Hollywood Bowl was dimmed by the whole parking thing -- the pain in the ass of the stacked lots, the exorbitant cost of off-site lots and, if you've got the perfect secret spot, the worry of whether someone has beat you to it.

This year, I finally gave the shuttle a try and oh, how easy that was. Just five bucks and you're whisked from a roomy nearby lot right to the front steps of the Bowl. Just as fast and easy after the show, plus you get to hear your fellow passengers in some odd and interesting conversations. I'm a shuttle convert.

Meanwhile, snapshots from Saturday night, when some friends and I went to hear Lyle Lovett, who was magnificent, and Willie Nelson, who was backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Picnic dinner up in the trees:

The sun sets and the lights go up:

After his Large Band played a couple of songs and reminded the crowd just what great musicians they all are, Lyle strolled out. (And I know the photos are blurry because it was too far and too dark and no tripod and all that stuff but seriously? Snapshots.)

I love how he puts his hand in his pocket the second before he starts to sing:

Look! This one's almost in focus:

Just one question: if the band's that Large, why aren't there any girls in it?