A root beer float and my muscle car…Tuesday nights are typically reserved for sweatpants, Netflix, and the gentle lull of boredom. But this Tuesday was different. This Tuesday was a root beer float kind of night, and it was about to get a whole lot sweeter.
A Pop up Cruise
Word on the street, or rather, the internet, was that the A&W in Arnold, Missouri, was hosting a pop-up cruise night. Now, I’m more of a couch potato than a car enthusiast, but the promise of root beer floats is a siren song that even the laziest of souls can’t resist. So, with a questionable amount of enthusiasm, I dragged myself and my Trans Am out of the house and into the world of chrome, horsepower, and hopefully, enough whipped cream to drown my sorrows.
Arriving at the A&W, it was like stepping into a time capsule. The familiar orange and brown color scheme was a nostalgic punch to the gut, and the aroma of crispy fries and root beer was a tantalizing tease. But it was the cars that truly stole the show. Trans Ams, GTOs, Mercury Cougars – it was a muscle car lover’s wet dream. And then there were the Corvettes, Harleys, and Chevelles, each a gleaming testament to automotive artistry. I felt like I’d wandered onto the set of a classic car commercial.
Family Fun
As I navigated my way through a sea of shiny metal, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of unexpected excitement. Kids were running around, their faces lit up with wonder as they explored the cars. Parents were reminiscing about their own muscle car days, their eyes sparkling with nostalgia. And there I was, a complete outsider, feeling strangely at home.
I decided to treat myself to a classic: a root beer float. As I savored the creamy, frothy concoction, I watched as a group of guys in leather jackets circled a particularly impressive GTO. One guy, clearly the leader of the pack, popped the hood and started tinkering. I couldn’t help but laugh when he accidentally sprayed a passerby with coolant. The crowd erupted in laughter, and for a brief moment, it felt like everyone was in on the joke.
As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the classic cars, the atmosphere took on a magical quality. There was something undeniably romantic about the sight of these iconic vehicles lined up against the backdrop of a fading summer sky. I found myself wishing I could bottle that feeling and save it for a rainy day.
End of the Evening
But all good things must come to an end, and as the night grew colder, it was time to head home. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d stumbled upon something truly special. A pop-up cruise night at an A&W? Who would have thought it would be so much fun?
So, the next time you’re looking for something to do on a Tuesday night, I highly recommend trading in your pajamas for a pair of jeans and heading to your nearest A&W. You might just find yourself surrounded by classic cars, good food, and even better company.