As Lance and I explore our local area, I discovered an oldie but goodie that is quite literally around the corner from our house - a drive-in movie theater - The Valley Drive-In in Auburn. I wasn't sure until recently if it was even still open. But I was assured that it was, and that this is possibly its last summer before it closes down for good.
Since Lance's birthday is tomorrow (well, today now, technically) and he always talked so fondly of going to the drive-in as a kid, I decided to treat him to a night at the movies. And hey, we could even bring our puppy, which was much better than keeping her crated for 5 hours. So we hopped in the car and drove the two miles or so around the corner to the drive-in.
I was very excited. Drive-ins were basically extinct in my local area as I grew up, so this was my first time going. The gates opened at 8, and when we arrived there around 8:30, there was already a pretty long line of cars waiting to go in. We paid our $15 ($7.50 per person for a double feature) and just hung out for the next hour or so until the movie started. It's a great place to people watch. Lots of little kids in their pajamas. Other people with their dogs. They had one central building to buy snacks and play video games, but I noticed plenty of people bringing in snacks from home. We'll probably do that next time (actually, I would just like to bring in pizza or KFC or something).
First up: The Love Guru. I thought the movie was completely idiotic, but it had some laugh out loud moments. It took some getting used to, hearing the sound coming out of my car stereo, but watching the movie up on the screen.
There was about a half hour between films, so I got up and stretched both my legs and the dog's before the new Indiana Jones flick started.
We didn't stay for the whole thing. For one thing, Lance has already seen it. For another, he couldn't stay awake. And I was getting tired. So we left about an hour or so into the movie. What I did see however was much better than the first movie we saw. I'm just not into the whole Indiana Jones series.
Anyway, we had a great time and it was the perfect way to end what was a very very hot summer day. The weather was perfect...it had cooled off considerably and there was a gentle breeze and it was great to sit in my car with the windows rolled down and the moon roof open, looking up at the stars.
Definitely want to go again before summer is over, especially if this is our last chance to go. I hope it doesn't close down. It seems like a very popular place for people to get together.
Drive-ins are pretty rare these days, and Lance was lamenting about how they are slowly vanishing. I think it's pretty sad too. It sure beats sitting in a crowded movie theater, listening to people's cellphones and people who talk over the movie.
