Story of the Day

OK. So it's been even longer since my last entry. I will try to make up for that somewhat.

I have just spent most of two weeks in Santa Clara, California. The first week started with wonderful weather. Temperatures were in the 70's on Monday and up to the 80's on Tuesday. The sky was clear and visibility very good. But I was working all day and had no car of my own for use at night. I did not stay in the area for the weekend but instead flew back to Portland. Thus, I did not get the chance to explore the area.

I have been to San Jose and Santa Clara several times in the past for individual days but had never before spent most of a week there. After two weeks, I know little more about the area than I did before. There are things I like about the area and things I dislike.

What's not so nice. Obviously the traffic is a problem. I don't care for the extreme reliance on the automobile for transportation. The reliance is so extreme in the areas of Santa Clara and Sunnyvale near 101 that the sidewalks are not continuous. No effort is made to even suggest that walking might be a viable alternative to driving. If one chooses to walk at night walking turns into a serious health hazard. The drivers don't expect you to be out there and are surprised to find someone on foot. Even in a crosswalk with a walk light. Even on the side of the road well out of the travel path.

What is nice is the climate. Even though it rained for quite a good bit of the two weeks, and it almost got cold. I am not used to so many 60 and up days in the middle of February. There are quite a few undeveloped areas nearby so getting out of town is not that hard. The Ocean is not far away and there are mountains all around. It may be a nice place to live. Maybe I'll get the chance to find out sometime. Who knows?

Monday evening,
February 26, 1996