Author Archives: mrdrivein

Mar. 2: Winchester Drive In, Oklahoma City OK

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It’s Day 61 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey, and I did something a little different. For the first time on this trip, I added a few miles just to make sure I can schedule a drive-in visit on a night of the week when it’s active. The good news is that going directly from Clarendon TX to the Winchester Drive In in Oklahoma City actually saved me a little time, although I’ll lose it when I double back a little for my next stop.

The Winchester arrived late to the drive-in scene in Oklahoma City. When it opened in 1968, There were over a dozen competitors, including such neat names as the Bomber, the Riviera, and the Sooner Twin. Now it’s the lone survivor in town. A tornado that tore the roof off the concession stand and projection building in June 2013, ruining a brand-new digital projector. It took until October 2013, but the place reopened as good as ever.

One more thing: That two-story neon cowboy on the Winchester sign? His name is Chester.

The Winchester was dark on this Thursday night, and its Facebook page says it’ll open for the season again this April. I’m expecting better results on my next stop on a Friday night.

Miles Today / Total:  219 / 8082 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: The Garage was a fine place to grab some burgers and beer, especially considering that it was a short two-block walk from my hotel (see below). Not only could I watch some sports on the big-screen TVs and play a few arcade games, it could safely return to my room without needing to drive. If you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Where I Virtually Stayed: There are a cluster of hotels just on the other side of I-240 from the Winchester, and I chose to stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton. It was my first time at that brand, and I was impressed. Even though it’s designed for extended stays, the room and its microwave and fridge were handy even for a one-night visit. And microwaving my breakfast made me feel like I was home.

Only in Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City is home to the American Banjo Museum, a $5 million, world-class 21,000 square foot facility honoring the rich history, vibrant spirit and unlimited future of the banjo. The museum’s collection contains more than 400 instruments, recordings, film, video, printed music, instructional materials, ephemera and memorabilia associated with the banjo, and of course, the largest collection in the world of banjos on public display.

Next Stop: Chief Drive In Theatre, Chickasha OK.

Mar. 1: Sandell Drive-In, Clarendon TX

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It’s Day 60 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. The drive from Amarillo was just an hour to the Sandell Drive-In in Clarendon TX. I started the third month of the odyssey with what will be my last stop in Texas.

According to KFDA, Amarillo’s News Leader, the Sandell Drive-In opened in September 1955 and was named after owner Gary Barnhill’s two daughters, Sandra and Adele. In closed in the late 1980s, then John Murrow purchased it and reopened in 2002. I love drive-in revivals! The Sandell switched to digital conversion around the end of 2011, so it looks like it’s in it for the long haul.

Coolest part of the Sandell? As shown in this photo, for the box office they use a repurposed booth from Clic Photo, a manned parking lot kiosk that was part of a smaller chain that was a lot like Fotomat. That’s so brilliant that I’m surprised I’ve never seen anyone else do that.

The Sandell web page says it held a special junior high school fundraiser on Feb. 11, but otherwise it’s open Fridays and Saturdays from April through September. Which makes this my eighth straight day of dark screens and no end in sight.

Miles Today / Total:  61 / 7863 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: What would I expect to find to eat in Clarendon? A solid steakhouse? Check! A good pizza joint? Check! The surprise was an authentic Lao Thai restaurant with the stealth name of the Jinda Cafe. I started with the Jinda roll and continued through the yellow curry. It’s great to find something this nice and unexpected.

Where I Virtually Stayed: It was just across the railroad track from the Sandell, and there aren’t a lot of choices in Clarendon, but the Best Western Red River Inn would have been a good pick no matter the circumstances. It’s a clean, modern place with wifi in the room and eggs, bacon, and omelets for breakfast in the morning.

Only in Clarendon: Just up the road in Groom TX, there’s an old water tower along old Route 66 that leans on purpose. According to Wikipedia, the tower was slated for demolition until Ralph Britten bought it and moved it to serve as a sign for his truck stop and tourist information center, and he thought it would attract more attention if it leaned a little. Oh, and Groom also has a 190-foot, free-standing cross.

Next Stop: Winchester Drive In, Oklahoma City OK.

Feb. 28: Tascosa Drive-in Theater, Amarillo TX

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It’s Day 59 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. The drive from Guymon OK was just two hours from the heart of the Oklahoma panhandle to the Tascosa Drive-in Theater in Amarillo, the heart of the Texas panhandle. I ended the second month of the odyssey with a solid week of dark screens, but what else would I expect for February?

According to Cinema Treasures, the Tascosa opened in 1953 and added a second, smaller screen in 1967. It apparently closed some time before 1984, and in the 1990s part of it became an RV park. The Tascosa reopened in 1999 using only the smaller screen, and it’s been operating ever since. I love drive-in revivals!

As you can see by the Tascosa web page, I didn’t miss opening day by much, just a week and a half before Kong Skull Island starts the new season on March 10. Still, it’s another dark night that I’ll need to make up for once drive-in season returns in earnest.

Miles Today / Total:  119 / 7802 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: I couldn’t very well pass up the opportunity to sample the World’s Best Pancakes, and that’s what the sign promised at Ye Olde Pancake Station. It seems like the only reason I was able to get in without waiting too long was that I arrived in the late morning on a Tuesday. Huge, plate-sized pancakes that taste great too. Maybe they really are the world’s best.

Where I Virtually Stayed: Quick story: Amarillo has a lot of motels, and once upon a time in the pre-web days, I took it for granted that I’d be able to find a room. When I arrived that night around 11 pm, I found out there was a convention in town and every room was taken. I ended up heading east until I finally found a vacancy at the Best Western in Shamrock TX a sleepy hour and a half away. Now it’s easy to book a room online, so I was sure that the Drury Inn would be waiting for me. They’ve always got a great breakfast, and their evening reception was even more appropriate considering I didn’t have to leave to watch a movie that night.

Only in Amarillo: When it comes to eating challenges, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is legendary. As told by billboards all around the region, if you can eat the full 72-ounce steak dinner with all the trimmings, it’s on the house. The restaurant was the first challenge undertaken by Adam Richman on his Man v Food series on the Travel Channel. On the show, it was said that only about one in six challengers are successful.

Next Stop: Sandell Drive-In, Clarendon TX.