As another summer comes to a close, I stop what I’m doing for too brief a moment to focus on many of my favorite memories of summers gone by.  There was the summer of the Montgomery Businessman’s Club pool, of RP McMurphy’s, of cruising both on the ocean and on the river in ’82 (with a stateroom full of General Hospital magazine cutouts because there was no network television on-board), of living at the beach, of “Just Drivin’ Through,” of college classes in Chicago, several 4^th of July’s in Maui; and, even the “summer of stages” that meant dealing daily with hot, angry guests at Universal Studios that probably didn’t really want to get off their tram to find out how stop motion animation worked or what a Foley artist actually does for a living.  It was enough to send you over the edge (that’s for you Mikey); now, go see John in the Kodak booth or better yet, we’ll drop you off at prop plaza, that should really make your day!

But, for all the fun that the season brings each year, it’s never really complete without the inclusion of my favorite summer activity – a trip to the drive-in movie theater.

I can’t help but madly love drive-ins.  It’s like taking the things that make me smile the most and combining them in a mixing bowl to make the most delicious treat!  Movie marathons, warm summer evenings, stars popping through the twilight sky, snuggled cozy in my car (maybe even wearing pajamas), tasty concession snacks; and, of course, the unquestionable retro-vibe.  Drive-ins remind me of a life that is worry-free and magical.  They are reminiscent of that simpler time I adore.  Even the majority of screen commercials and movie countdowns used today are ones that were made when drive-ins were in their heyday.  And, any lover of the movie “Grease” can easily envision the ads that were running behind John Travolta as he belted out the lyrics to Sandy.  The hot dog that flips and turns before it jumps in its bun or the parade of concession items inviting you to join in the fun.  Then there are the ones with real snack items on glorious display.  You know the gritty, extremely faded images of French fries being fried up in their baskets, pellet shaped ice cubes floating to the top of the orange soda; or, the pizza that was filmed, still in the pan, atop its white speckled laminate countertop, cheese bubbling, with the enticing on-screen claim that it is “hot and delicious” right now…hurry fast to the concession stand…the show starts in “8” minutes.

And, although I praise the technology that allows the audio of a movie to somehow be transmitted through the car radio (which if I leave early, I always see how far away I can drive while still listening), I do miss those hanging window speaker and the poles they clung to.  Of course, the cost of repairing these after some unsuspecting driver pulled away with the speaker still attached to the top of their window, probably wasn’t cheap; but, they did lend an extra piece of nostalgia to the drive-in experience.

I do feel that I was very lucky to grow up in a state (Ohio) that had one of the first 10 drive-ins in the country; and, today is the 3^rd largest states for remaining drive-ins.  And, because of that, it’s no surprise that drive-ins were part of my childhood and teen years.  In fact, the night I learned to ride my bike (without training wheels), my family was headed to the drive-in to watch “Young Frankenstein” and I was given the choice to stop riding so we could make it in time for the show or to keep riding my bike on the street.  In retrospect, I made the wrong choice.  I could ride a bike any old day.

I was fortunate to have seen films at the Montgomery, Academy, Highway 28, Acme, Oakley, Dixie, the Twin (back to back screens) and the two that are actually still standing – The Holiday Auto Theater and the Starlite.  I only wish that I would have had a chance to go to the Jolly Roger on the west side of town.  I mean, a pirate theme drive-in theater?  Cool!  But, alas, I only remember driving past it a few times as a kid.

However, the absolute most amazing drive-in I ever attended was not one from my childhood.  It was in Chatsworth, California:  The Winnetka 6.  Yes, 6.  As you pulled in, your car veered into either the right or left lane that would then direct you in on one of three driving paths that put you in front of one of six screens.  A circle.  If you parked in the right place and were in one of the center screen lots, you could actually see the movies playing on the screens on either side of you (but you could only hear the audio of yours).  The last couple of films I saw there were “Men at Work” and “Flatliners.”  Like most of these classic establishments (today, drive-ins only make up 1.5 of all the theaters in the US), the Winnetka 6 has, sadly, since been demolished.

But, some are still standing to offer that amazing summer evening experience.  There is a Tiki themed drive-in out in Southern California, one that has a 120 x 52 foot screen (and an extensive concessions menu) in Baltimore, the 66 Drive-In in Missouri that is actually ON Route 66 (can’t beat that location), one that offers karaoke & mini golf in New York, and an amusement park drive-in that actually features rides!  Then, there is one other amazingly cool possible drive-in experience:  The Fairlee Motel & Drive-In Theater in Vermont and the Movie Manor in Colorado.  Both motels whose rooms overlook drive-in screens!  There are speakers in your room and you have access to grab snacks from the concessions stand.  You can literally spend the night at the drive-in movie theater – definitely on the top of my bucket list.

Finally, there is the August Moon Drive-In coming to Nashville in 2018 – a fully immersive indoor drive-in movie with the biggest non-large format movie screen in North America (supposedly).  You will be able to sit in one of their 40 classic cars, relax on your own picnic blanket or even reserve a tree house for special occasions.  Yes, I have already emailed them to ask when we can start buying tickets.  It’s an inventive idea and maybe a way to keep the drive-in alive.  I know my youth would not have been the same without the drive-in.   We lose so much to time and technology; I sincerely hope drive-ins don’t become another casualty, lost to the ages.  So, here is my plea to each and every one of you reading this.  If you haven’t gone to a drive-in, in a while (or ever), please plan an outing.  Pack the car with your friends or family, grab some blankets, a tasty snack or two and get ready to watch a movie under the stars.  I promise, you won’t regret it. #50WeeksTo50