Thinkin' of Goin' Retro Tonight: A Drive-In Movie

If the storms hold off, I'm planning on going out to the McHenry Outdoor Theater tonight. They have a double play of two movies I want to see, "The Simpsons" and "Hairspray." To see both $6 is a good deal, plus, it as one of the fast disappearing drive-ins. I'll call this a retro move.

The only problem with a drive-in is that the first movie doesn't start until about 9:15 and "Hairspray" will start at around 11 PM. The end of the nearly two-hour movie is WAY past my bedtime. Plus, watching an outdoor movie in the rain, in between windshield wiper strokes, isn't much fun.

I'll take the truck. The Malibu's lights come on automatically when you turn it on and your fellow viewers don't take kindly to that. Being technologically challenged, I haven't figured out how to turn on the Malibu wipers and keep the headlights off. The truck doesn't have the automatic lights.

We thought the McHenry Outdoor was going to close down for good last year as there are a lot of subdivisions being built around it. I'm sure it will be gone in the not-to-distant future.

To Go Outside to Watch or Not. --RoadDog

All the Blues You Can Use

The Chicago Blues Festival is this weekend and bills itself as the world's largest blues festival. And, it's FREE!!! Something rare in Chicago where it seems everyone is intent on getting as much money as they can from you, from the outrageous parking costs, to the 10% downtown sales tax.

I am a big fan of the blues. Most Mondays, I tune into Tom Marker's Bluesbreakers Show on WXRT, 93.1 FM, and listen to an hour of new and old blues songs and the information he gives out. At one time, our classical station had a great blues/soul show on after midnight featuring Mr. A. They changed formats and now is The Drive playing classic rock, but I sure do miss Mr. A and would like to know if he is still on the air somewhere.

Like Marker says, Chicago is the World Capital of the Blues. A major destination for tourists are the various blues clubs around the city. Buddy Guy's Legends is probably the best known. They will be moving from the building soon, but relocating elsewhere. Plus we have the Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor.

There will be lots of acts at several stages, but some of the "big" names are:

Thursday- Artie "Blues Boy" White, Larry McCray
Friday- Eddie Bo, Elvin Bishop
Saturday- Ronnie Baker Brooks, Siegal-Schwall Blues Band
Sunday- Bobby Blue Bland, Dorothy Moore

I'm considering taking a ride on the Metra train. It drops you off at UnionStation, about ten blocks from Grant Park, where the festival is taking place. Great deals on the weekends, $5 unlimited rides for both days. Plus... Union Station and Grant Park are on ROUTE 66!!!!

This Day in History
1944- D Day

Automotive History
1932- the first federal gas tax, 1 cents a gallon
1933- the first drive in movie theater opens in Camden, NJ

Bluesin' It in Chicago. --RoadDog

A-Boatin' I Will Go

Took the boat out on the Chain of Lakes for the fifth time since I put it in last week. A great day for it. As I often do, I boated over to McDonald's for breakfast and ate it on the boat. How about that, a McDonald's you can boat to!!! I doubt if there's another one in the US where you can do that.

Did a slow cruise back to the dock. Saves gas, and with these gas prices...and they're even worse on the water.

I did the three things and saw both Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek at the McHenry Theater. How about $3 matinee prices!!!! It's $5 after six for adults. The same company also owns the McHenry Outdoor Theater, that's right, a real live drive-in movie place and with a real screen of concrete, not one of those billboard things.

Enjoyed both movies.

--RoadDog