Feb. 26: Fort Union Drive In, Las Vegas NM

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It’s Day 57 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. The drive from Monte Vista CO took almost four hours over twisty two-lane mountain roads. At the end of my journey, I reached the Fort Union Drive In Movie Theatre in Las Vegas NM. It’s on the north edge of town, right on Highway 518.

In a June 2014 article, the Santa Fe New Mexican documented how the Fort Union almost closed because of the need to convert to digital projection. It highlighted its new general manager, then 18-year-old Jake Cordova, who had asked his grandfather to buy the projector and take over the theater. “Las Vegas doesn’t have many other forms of entertainment,” Felipe Cordova said. “You often wonder why they discontinue this kind of entertainment that brings the community together.”

So we know that it updated to digital projection in 2014, but when did the Fort Union first open? At Visit Las Vegas NM, they say it was 1958. Then again, the Vegas Drive-In, about the same size as today’s Fort Union, opened around 1949 and was still in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog. Did it get renamed, or did the Fort Union replace it? I just don’t know.

The Fort Union typically operates from mid-May to September or so. I expected that I’d run into a stretch like this – I’ve only seen one movie all week.

Miles Today / Total:  182 / 7426 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: For a touch of history in this old railroad town, a great place to eat is The Landmark Grill at the Plaza Hotel. It was like stepping through a time warp to the late 19th century, except for the prices. I chose the somewhat reasonably priced blue corn enchiladas so I’d feel better about trying their bread pudding for dessert. The best I’ve ever had is still at the Golden Nugget in that other Las Vegas, but this one’s on the list.

Where I Virtually Stayed: A few days ago, I suggested that if the Super 8 is the best hotel in a town, that might mean it doesn’t have much competition. In Las Vegas, despite the historic, excellent Plaza Hotel, it’s the Super 8 that has the highest traveller rating on TripAdvisor. Because it really is that good, especially for the money. Evening soup and a decent breakfast are included, as is some of the friendliest service you’ll ever find.

Only in Las Vegas: Thirty minutes away from the Fort Union Drive-In is the Fort Union National Monument. Fort Union was built in 1851 near the convergence of the Cimarron and Mountain branches of the Santa Fe Trail. In 1879 a newly built railroad began to displace traffic on the trail, and in 1891 the Army abandoned the fort. Fort Union National Monument was established in 1956, so maybe that’s when and why they renamed the drive-in.

Next Stop: Corral Drive-In, Guymon OK.

Feb. 25: Star Drive In Theatre, Monte Vista CO

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Panoramic look at the Star Drive-In marquee and screenIt’s Day 56 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. The drive across the Continental Divide, from Montrose to Monte Vista CO, was cold and took about three hours, but at least it was dry. I found myself at a place I’ve visited several times over the last few decades, the Star Drive In Theatre.

The Star opened around 1955 on the west side of little Monte Vista. In 1964, owner George Kelloff got the idea to build a motel along the back of the drive-in. He started with 14 units, and they’re up to around 60 now.

Long ago, just before my second-ever visit to Colorado, I heard about the Star and the Movie Manor. Coming from the southeast, I passed the Ski-Hi Drive-In in Alamosa and arrived at the Star just before the sun went down. There’s nothing like sitting in a motel room, turning on the dedicated speaker, and watching a first-run movie through a picture window.

My next time through the area, the Ski-Hi was gone, replaced by an multiscreen indoor theater, but the Star and the Movie Manor were just as nice as I remembered. In 2003, the Star added a second screen which can seen from most rooms from a tight angle. (You could drive over to watch, but what’s the fun in that?)

Of course, the Star was closed for the season; it typically opens in mid-May and closes around late September. Fortunately, the Movie Manor is a comfortable place to spend the night even when there isn’t a movie showing.

Miles Today / Total:  171 / 7244 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: The Movie Manor’s restaurant, now called Smokin’ Johnnys BBQ, is only open Thursday through Sunday, so once again I got lucky with timing. Great barbecue ribs, beer, and big-screen TVs to watch some sports on evening like this one without a drive-in movie.

Where I Virtually Stayed: That’s a no-brainer. Even with the drive-in closed for the season, I was happy to stay at the Best Western Movie Manor, same as always. The motel has been around for more than half a century, yet the folks here keep it modern. A few years ago, they converted one of the first-floor rooms into a workout area. And now, this was my first stay here that included a free continental breakfast.

Only in Monte Vista: Just south of town, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge holds an annual Monte Vista Crane Festival each March when Sandhill Cranes spend their Spring Break in the San Luis Valley. That’s when “the cranes perform their courtship dance — leaping and bowing while raising and lowering their wings, and making a croaking sound to one another.” Sounds like Spring Break!

Next Stop: Fort Union Drive In Movie Theatre, Las Vegas NM.

Feb. 24: The Star Drive-In Theatre, Montrose CO

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It’s Day 55 of my virtual Drive-In-a-Day Odyssey. In the middle of a week of long drives over mountain highways, I was grateful for a pretty short, flat half-hour trip from Delta CO to Montrose, home of The Star Drive-In Theatre.

The Star opened around 1950 and has been Montrose’s only drive-in theater ever since. In 2013, there was a little concern a digital projection fundraiser fell short, but the owners got a loan to buy the equipment. The drive-in hosts an annual “Back to the 60’s Nite” in June.

When I think of the Star, I think of owner Pamela Friend, who has always been one of the most positive, friendly people I’ve met. The Denver Post profiled her in a 2010 article. “I’m told I put on the best picture in Colorado,” she said. “It’s a clean, clear picture. I pride myself on what we do. I’ve put on every show for 15 years without missing a night.”

Of course, the Star was closed for the season; it’s scheduled to reopen in April. I think we might be done with snow for a while, but the temperature stayed close to freezing all day. I think I’m glad the Star was dark tonight.

Miles Today / Total:  24 / 7073 (rounded to the nearest mile)

Movie Showing / Total Active Nights: dark / 37

Nearby Restaurant: The price for my lodging was so reasonable (see below) that I walked across the street to invest my windfall at Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse. I enjoyed a huge, perfectly cooked rib eye steak with a baked potato, veggies, and a salad. Add a glass of wine, and I was ready to face the elements again.

Where I Virtually Stayed: When the best hotel in town is a Super 8, that’s either a small town or a really good Super 8. Montrose is not that small any more, so it really was an excellent Super 8. I appreciate 24-hour in the lobby as well as the coffee maker in the room, and I was also happy to have a mini fridge. And with the usual bargain price, if every Super 8 was like this one, I might not ever stay anywhere else.

Only in Montrose: Just east of town, in the early 20th century, workers from the Bureau of Reclamation built the 5.8 mile Gunnison Tunnel to take water from the Gunnison River to the Uncompahgre Valley. At the time of its completion, it was the longest irrigation tunnel in the world. Memorial arches soared more than two stories high on Main Street in Montrose, and for the dedication on September 23, 1909, President William Taft pressed a button, laborers opened a makeshift gate, and water flowed into the valley.

Next Stop: Star Drive In Theatre, Monte Vista CO.