The longer Mark and I have been together, the less times we refer to a journey here or there as a date night. BUT last weekend, Memorial Weekend… we went on a date night.

It was kinda neat to think we labeled this adventure as a date night, a couple who have been together for 37 yrs almost, but never the less it was our next in a rather long line of ” Mark and Cindys Excellent Adventures”

We were going to the Drive In- yep just like old times, a coolish night, a movie on a big screen with the sounds echoing through the air and car.

We decided to head over with over with an hour and a 1/2 to spare, so that we could avoid long lines getting into see the movie. So we got comfortable clothes for a possible 54 degree evening and off we went. It was a little different than what I had remembered before. Oh there were different groups of people playing frisbee and catch, just like I had remembered from going early to drive ins years ago, but what seemed a tad strange to me was there seemed to be more people parking backwards, and more people setting up lounge chairs and blankets, and settling in for the movie.

Another thing I had noticed were no speakers, yeah that was a tad different. Back in the day….. there were bulky type metal speakers that were on post. A car on each side of the poles and the speaker hooked onto the drivers window. Now only the poles the speakers used to be on So we acclimated ourselves to the NEW WORLD way. We found out that there was a set FM frequency that was used to send the sound through your car radio. There was a upbeat sounding guy on the sound system explaining that all you had to do was leave your car in accessory mode for the movie, tune your radio to a certain set frequency and not to fret, it shouldn’t run your battery down, but just in case, they had helpers to jump start your car.

So all is good, yep this will be fine. We went to the snack bar, ordered a sandwich and drink, and got ready for our date night. Top gun Maverick was ready to begin. Our windows up, our car in accessory mode, the radio set and volume just right and we were ready to watch the movie that was being spoken about as awesome.

Just before the movie started the the upbeat announcer was again assuring all that accessory mode is the way to go, he added a little additional information. He said the movies are about to begin. From now on, no headlights, brake lights while the movie is going, and when you do leave, do not tap your brakes, leave headlights off, please leave your parking lights on until you totally exit the drive in area. GOT IT !

So the movie starts, our radio in the car is set, we are ready to soar the skies with Tom Cruise. It all seemed to be going well, until………. 1 hr and 15 minutes into the movie our dome lights light up, the car goes out of accessory mode , our driving lights automatically come on and we are there like an unwelcome beacon in the night. Unfortunately I only have two hands, and we have 3 VERY BRIGHT dome lights glaring in the car.

Now what do we do? We can’t shut off the driving lights, the dome lights were brighter than 3 spot lights, people were looking over from the car next to us, the car is off, and no accessory mode. We had no idea what to do. Now being a newer keyless car, the only way to start it is with the brake on. We can’t open our doors, because the driving lights change to head lights to show you the way into the darkness when you get home…….So Mark and I decide that this was a good time to leave, as we couldn’t hear the movie, we were lighting up the place, and lets just say it was no longer the neat date night.

So he put his foot on the brake to start the car, and boy were they bright !!!( it was slow to start !!) and off we went. We did laugh all the way home about what a strange date night that was… the old folks night out on the town !

Needless to say, now I know why people were sitting outside their cars, as they must have brought FM radios, boom boxes, or small portable radios to get the sound from. That will be our next additional item should we dare try that again.

Yep, just another chapter in “Mark and Cindy’s Excellent Adventures” . Ya gotta love it.

Until late, Mrs Justa ..alias CIndy