The Drive-In

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Lloyd and I love the drive-in.  In truth, we have only been once (together)- his very first time, and what had been a long over-due visit for me.  We are hoping to remedy that infrequency, because we love it that much.

We went as a novelty a few weeks ago when Lloyd's friends were in town visiting from the UK.  How "All-American".  One can't help but picture Sandy and Danny Zuko at the drive-in, him trying to make out with her, that Australian accent of hers and him being stranded and... "branded a fool".  (Let's face it- when you hear "drive-in", you think of that song....)

So we went to one that is close to my house.  We were relatively prepared.  We had blankies, pillows and chairs.  Us gals sat in the back of our truck, and the boys on the chairs in front.  We tuned our radios in, and we watched.  Of course what we watched was secondary to the experience.  The experience of not hearing every crunch of a stranger near you eating their popcorn, taking the loudest sip known to mankind and *trying* to be quiet as they question their movie-watching partner where they put the Sour Patch Kids and Raisinettes.  That whisper that is like claws on a chalkboard.  So annoying, and so not what you get at the drive-in. 

At the drive-in cars and trucks keep their distance.  You know you are amongst classic company (and maybe a few drug dealers, lets just be honest).  But it is all so nice.  The sound is excellent, with the newer "tuning in" idea as opposed to those boxes that used to attach to your car window.  Granted, for safety's sake I had to turn the engine once to be sure our battery wouldn't die but.... even that was fun.  It's like living in Prairie times. 

Kinda'.

At the drive-in, you can bring your own bucket of chicken, or, if you are like me (vegetarian) and my husband (allergic to poultry) you can bring your own tofu bowl.  You can sneak in your brewskis if you are so inclined, your tang, your V-8 or whatever it is that you enjoy while watching a film.  You can likely even sneak people in, but.... I'm all about supporting the local community and places that remind me of yore, even if it was someone elses yore and not your or my yore.  At 7 bucks for a double feature, if you are one of those people that wants to sneak in others, please refrain and stay home and get a Blockbuster film.  Us almost-faithful drive-in'ers don't want your kind.  (P.S.- in the summertime, it is only a BUCK for a carload, and classic movies under the stars....)

The drive-in makes you feel vintage.  It makes you feel young and cuddly.  I don't even know if I have been more than 3 times in my life- I recollect going to one in Oceanside, CA. a number of years back, but the college group was so large and noisy that it wasn't that fun for me (I'm one of those anal people that likes to hear all the dialogue in a film....).  But I do remember when my brother Corbin and I were wee ones we went with my mom and dad.  A double-feature, just like new times.   We both remember well what we saw:  "Beetlejuice" and "Witches of Eastwick" which came out in 88' and 87', according to Google.  That puts me at 8 or 9 years old, Corbin at about 10.  We were in Vegas or Laughlin at the time, and I am not sure what made us decide to go to a drive-in.   Perhaps my parents wanted to re-live more magical moments of their youths, or wanted to give us a glimpse into what would be a novel experience in our adult lives.

To find your local drive-in visit:   http://www.driveintheater.com/

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