Drive-in movie in the 🚐 & Cottonwood Pass

I don’t recall the last movie I saw in a theater- certainly it was pre covid but likely even years prior to that. I’m almost positive I haven’t done a drive in movie theater since I was a little kid. So here we are, me and Rams, soaking up the chance to see Disney’s Cruella (with one of my fave actors Emma Stone!) with the mountains around us at sunset.
And yes … it’s just as wonderful as it sounds. Perhaps the best $10 I’ve spent in quite some time!!

I packed some bubbly orange ade and some popcorn for snacks 🍿 and also brought a salad 🥗 for pre movie dining.
Miss rams is a big fan of this since it got her up on the bed with me for cuddles while we watch through the back doors.

Not only was the movie good (ahem, Emma!) but I got to see shooting stars in the sky, and the occasional silent lightening burst off in the distance. It was surreal. The movie audio came in via the van radio - and the huge screen set against the dark sky with radiant stars — I’m telling you. What an experience.

The movie ended late - interestingly, at 11:11 (a reminder I’m in exactly the right place- right where I’m supposed to be) and then it was time to move the van for sleep. We drove back towards BV and parked in a park near the main strip but in a super quiet spot. It was finally lights out at midnight.

I woke with the plan of riding my new road bike up cottonwood pass to kick off the day and week before heading back to engage in work. I’d worked quite a bit both Saturday and Sunday with this plan in mind -and had “schedule send”-Ed lots of work emails to go out midday Monday.

I enjoyed some coffee and oatmeal, got Rams sorted in the van -then off I went up Cottonwood. This is the fourth or so time I’ve ridden it - I was counting on traffic being relatively quiet on a Monday. The wind was also quiet and it was truly a bluebird day out there.

It turned out that yes- it was a perfect day to be on the pass.
With the exception of one truck with Kansas plates, (towing a camper and I don’t think he realized how much further it sticks out than his truck), leading to a very close pass as he overtook me… all the other cars were awesome. And- on my way up I ran into a group of ladies who were running SAG for their husbands riding up the pass. They took my pics and offered me bananas and water ;) they learned my name and cheered for me at the summit- so cute. 🙌

I haven’t been up here since last fall and this new whip features a totally different gear ratio than I’m used to. Too soon to say if I like it or if I wanna go back to my old standard crank with 11x28 type gears. 🤷‍♀️

And then, back at my computer logged in and working by noon.
Yes, this is how we do van life: Spontaneity. Adventure. Exploration. A sense of awe and wonder and gratitude. Checking things off the list of things I’ve always wanted to do. Riding a mountain pass on a Monday because 👏 we 👏 can 👏!!!