The Car Culture

Things that people remember fondly are usually things that no longer exist. Nostalgia is for things long gone, after all. Fortunately, some things continue as they have always been. I don't suppose that there are many drive-in restaurants around any more, but around here, there's still Sonic. Sonic originally opened in Oklahoma in 1953. They didn't arrive in Southeast Texas until the 1970s, a date that was really past the prime of drive-ins. It's nice, then, that they've managed to not only hang on, but to thrive. There are four Sonic Drive-ins within 10 miles of my house, and one is only a half-mile away! I just got to thinking about that as I was enjoying a hamburger (with mustard... this is Texas after all) and tots at the Mont Belvieu Sonic before going to the post office this evening.

2006 Chevrolet HHR at the Mont Belvieu Sonic

Possibly the best memories are of when we were first married. We couldn't afford much (wow, is that a setup for a nostalgic statement, or not?), but the Sonic on Dowlen Road in Beaumont was something we could manage. And when my wife was expecting our first child, I remember specifically stopping there for ice cream after the Lamaze instructor mentioned that ice cream (but not chocolate ice cream!) was an acceptable source of calcium for expectant mothers. (I'm not so sure about that, but we went with it anyway.)

And for the 5 years I had the Corvette, removing the targa roof and heading to Sonic just seemed like the right thing to do. Even now, on a cool day my wife and I will go to Sonic, and eat at the picnic table rather than in the car.

Nights like tonight, when I'm just stopping for a bite to eat while my wife is running errands, are just nice because I can sit in the cool air and watch the cars go by.

Thanks, Sonic, for helping to keep the car culture alive!