Driving up Highway 101 to the Bay Area to do college tours reminded me of the first time I drove that route. 28 years ago, this week, I moved to San Jose to attend grad school.
I was surprised to find that I could remember the feeling of anticipation from that first time. I remember being excited for what I thought was finally going to be the beginning of my life. I couldn’t wait to start classes that were ONLY psychology. I thought I was on a road that would take me to the life that I was choosing for myself.
For most of the trip, the road signs only note how far it was to San Francisco, but not to San Jose. About half way, there is a sign for Winchester Mystery House. It isn’t until 23 miles out from San Jose that the road signs reveal the final destination’s proximity.
In 1985, just south of SJ, there was a dilapidated shack on the side of the freeway with a spray painted sign that read For Sale $200,000. Although meant to be a joke, it really was a commentary on the rising real estate in the area. The shack and sign stayed intact for years.
Although on this campus tour odyssey, we drove right past San Jose, it was good to think about having hope in 1985.