Hike-In Movie Theater

The radio static sputtered as I clicked the volume dial on. Like cracking a safe I tuned the frequency dial until I found a classic rock and roll channel. I set the radio down in the lofty grass and watched the cars queue up to enter the Warwick drive-in movie theatre. “Do you remember, baby? Do you remember the times of your life?” the radio sang.

Feeling transported back in time I sat on my 1/8” foam pad with my down sleeping quilt draped over my shoulders. Our spot was at the top of a grassy hill, overlooking the sprawling drive-in. An older man, with a trimmed white beard and wearing a high-vis green t-shirt, approached us with a smile. He introduced himself as Pop-pop and explained that he had been running the theatre since the ‘50’s. The previous year he had started letting thru-hikers camp on the highest hill for free. He even brought us old radios so we could tune them to the movie’s audio.

A small bubble of us hikers had gathered by the evening. Six colorful tents were arranged on the hill – fluttering loosely in the cool breeze like a gang of exotic butterflies. I imagined that the patrons arriving by car had many questions as they gawked through their rolled down windows.

I cracked a beer from the Shoprite down the road and took a deep sip. I relaxed my shoulders and massaged my feet. “Do you remember the times of your life?” the chorus continued. It will sure be hard to forget this one.

Mr. Clean

Mile 1167, The Rabbit Hole, Harper’s Ferry