It’s Day 125 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. Idaho turns out to be wider than it looks on a map, which I found out by driving from the east side (Rexburg) to the west. I knew it was going to take five hours either way, so I took the shorter, two-line highway path that went almost due west past Boise instead of dipping south on the interstates. I wonder which way would have burned more gas. At any rate, I found myself in Caldwell on a Friday night at the Terrace Drive-In Theatre.

(This is the part of my recap where I add a photo of the place, but I thought it would be even nicer to include this short interview from last year with the Terrace’s owner. There are a few shots of what the drive-in looks in the video.)

The Terrace opened in 1954, apparently built by Virgil Odell. Its name referred to its parking structure of little terraces, as were sometimes popular in old drive-in designs. The theater was revamped in 1984 with the addition of two more screens, making it the “Terrance Tri” for a while. Within 10 years or so, they stopped showing movies on those extra screens, which have remained inactive ever since.

As shown in the interview above, new owner Ron Herold said he expected to revive those two extra screens. His current Terrace web page lists how much that’s going to cost.

I was so glad to have another active drive-in available after that long drive, and I didn’t really mind seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 again. Even on a second viewing, I still say it makes a fine drive-in film.

Miles Today / Total:  300 / 13822 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 / 57

Nearby Restaurant: After my caffeine close call the day before in Rexburg, I went looking for a coffee shop, and I found one with bonuses in The Bird Stop. Free wifi, a relaxed atmosphere, and all the coffee drinks I wanted were all what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised to find they also serve solid sandwiches and beer from local breweries. The Ballast Point Pumpkin Down spice beer was a most welcome, unexpected pleasure.

Where I Virtually Stayed: The best place in town appeared to be the Best Western Plus Caldwell Inn. My room had a fridge, good wifi, and a coffee maker. The breakfast had a bit of everything, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, even soy milk. I left ready for another day.

Only in Caldwell: Just down the road, Caldwell Boulevard to be exact, in the town of Nampa is The Egg Factory. That breakfast-themed restaurant wouldn’t be so out of the ordinary except that it has a painted 10-foot rooster statue out front.

Next stop: Parma Motor-Vu Drive In, Parma ID.