C3Q II Daily Dispatches From The Road- 9/28/26

REBEL RODDER (RR) ROAD DISPATCH #6:

“My American Graffiti”

DAY SIX: Monday, September 28, 2026

Departure time: Approx. 11 am

3 States: 11) Michigan 12) Indiana, 13) Illinois

After departing the hotel we headed towards Coldwater, Michigan in search of one of the last drive-in movie theaters called “The Capri.” Upon arrival, to my great surprise, the drive-in looked pristine as if newly remodeled with fresh coats of paint making a vibrant and colorful feast for the eyes (excuse the food reference as I am still eating bland food due to my hyperglycemia.) With its vibrant red, yellow and white fresh paint you would think this was a brand new establishment. I must admit it is the finest drive-in dual screen theater I have ever seen (and that includes the ones I grew up visiting called The Fiesta Four in Pico Rivera, California.) It brought back childhood memories for both of us and Zoraya remembered going to see a family movie like “Quest For Fire” but we found ourselves distracted by scenes from “Purple Rain” and “Alien" that were much more appealing and exciting even without sound. 

After surveying the entire site, I thought it best to spray paste 2 posters on each side of the marquee sign. Soon thereafter we moved on and doubled back to the am radio station that I spotted on the way over to the Capri.  On the way there I spotted a unique tree on a home property that was carved out and the logs rearranged to shape a cross. I posed in front of it on the street corner with the car.  A couple of miles later I re-located the am station and took a chance to see if they would cover our quest live. Unfortunately, when I got there, virtually everyone was gone with the exception of one employee. After I told him of our mission, he was enthusiastic and requested more information. I gave him the book and project flyer along with the business card that directed him to the website and social media. He asked if we could come in the next morning for a radio interview but I had to decline the request because we were already behind and trying to make up for lost time. But before departing, I teased him by stating that I posted in their town and would only provide him with this clue, “I left the town of coldwater a gift on your biggest outdoor canvas.” The employee smiled and repeated the phrase so he could remember and pass it on to the radio personnel. As I started walking out the door it occurred to me that he might want to see the challenger drive away and to capture it on video which he did along with enthusiastic expletives. He added, “the pictures don't do that car justice.” We rode out in rubber burning whiplash fashion. (something to remember our meeting leaving tire marks behind as street souvenirs.)

After ping ponging between Michigan and Indiana because of map confusion, we finally ended up on the Indiana side of the border and stopped at the gas station to re-orient ourselves and the gps. I took a walk around the perimeter to see if there was an interesting site to spray paste and I found a giant singular black sign pole advertising Love’s gas prices that can be seen from the highway. I realized it's the first black pole sign I had seen and thought that it would offer a great contrast to my predominantly red insignia poster, helping it to stand out. I reversed the challenger to use the pole as the backdrop and proceeded my usual method of operation. As expected, our powers of aesthetic observation proved correct. Onto the next state: The Land of Lincoln.

As the fall night fell upon us and we needed to fuel up again, we decided to call it a night by doing the last posting in a Chicago suburb on two gas station pillars that framed the challenge perfectly. It was the last posting of  the day before proceeding to the hotel just a few yards away.