Movie Night In Saratoga Springs, NY




Stop # 1:        Saratoga Springs, NY
Where:            Malta Drive-In
Sites Seen:      Saratoga State Park, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
States:            CT, MA, NY

Weather:          Humid/Sunny/Rain & wind at night

Miles Traveled:  240ish

Gas Stops:        2

Miles/Gallon:     13.ish

Meals eaten: 

 Lunch - A One protein bar and black coffee

 Dinner- Cucumber & Tomato salad with micro greens, hot peppers, oil and vinegar, salt & pepper, cheese & crackers, and movie popcorn


Movie Played:  Wolverine/Deadpool



After the morning delay, the drive was pretty easy.  I gassed up before I got on I-91 road and then again later after I detached the Tahoe from the AS (that's Airstream from now on).  Three hours with one stop to get a coffee.  I was a little nervous to take up the speed on the highway over 60 miles an hour, but the MPG definitely paid off.  Labor Day weekend, so there were a few cars on the road.   





The Malta Drive-In is a nostalgic little slice of history.  Preserved from Grease era and I felt like Rizzo.  I wasn't stranded at the drive-in, but I was the first one to arrive.  This was a Harvest Host; a wonderful app filled with places to stay for free, overnight, and just make a contribution to the business or host, for using their space.  So much cheaper than a $100/night KOA.  I chose this to be the first stop as it was super close to Saratoga.


I had a little trouble leveling the AS until I realized, there were divots in the parking area.  I don’t think my blue tooth leveler is all that great, but I used it anyway.  I was more than 5" off after adding 2 blocks to the passenger side tire.  I undid what I had intially set up, and then decided to eye ball it with an old fashioned leveler.  For some reason, the front to back was was picking up one 5” off too, but the other levels (and my eyeballs) said it was level.  I’ll try again tomorrow at the next stop, but I’m good with a little bubble in the liquid superseding the technology.



Decided to head out after arrival and set up to go see the SPAC.  For those that know, it is the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  It is an incredible state park surrounded by former bath houses and gorgeous grounds.  I danced here in 1986.  It is the locale of NYCB summer residence, and summer program for budding young dancers.  Not much has changed in 38 years and I was happy to see a place that had great memories.  I took Rye along for the stroll and we did a lovely walk about the park, the theater and the buildings.  








I came back to make dinner and realized, that with dry camping, there isn’t much in the way of electricity, when you decided not to solar charge your generator OR hook up your Starlink, you just need to act like you never knew what a cell phone was. 

I went super rustic with some cheese and crackers and a cucumber an tomato salad.  



So, I grabbed some new books a friend gave as a going away gift and read while cooking and eating.  The first movie started around 8:00 PM.  I’ve seen it before so, it’s nice to hear the wit again.  Ryan Renolds and Hugh Jackman really have a rhythm. I hope I stay awake for the next movie, but I have a book to finish.  The Frozen River.  So good.


I stressed Rye out, heading to the bathroom at the concession stand, as it started raining.  He was a hot mess when leaving the next day.  I think he needed to get in a little schedule.  Most of the drive-in viewers have left, but the movies are still playing. There were two other Harvest Host camping groups that stayed the night.  It was so peaceful.  It was a great first night.  Back on the road.







Location: Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
Like Homer, coming out of a many year journey of what seems like a Trojan War, or PCSD (post COVID stress disorder), I am on a significant life journey. Literal or metaphorically, I am about to soak in some transformative days, filled with experiences that will hopefully redefine my understanding of life and the world around me, without any distractions of other's human conditions. ME TIME.

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