September, 2021
This is a departure from ALS Land to the land of you’ve got to be kidding. Whatever you do, don’t try this at home.
Two of the defining thoroughfares in the South Bay are highways 280 and 85. They come together in a giant expanse of asphalt, concrete bridges and overpasses surrounding large areas of bushes and trees. Back in my late teens these patches of greenery were lush and well kept, not the barren wasteland they are today. They were like island parks in the middle of a screaming freeway intersection. And late on summer nights during the mid 1970s we would jump a fence and hop between these islands.
Yes, you read that right. When we were told to go play on a freeway, we took them at their word. We called it Island Hopping.
Word would get out toward the end of a week that a hop was on. A meeting place would be circulated and a time, usually eleven or so, would be established. Hoppers before me had christened the islands with such names as Kathmandu , An Ordinary Travel Agent’s Office, West Point, and The Golden Triangle.
After meeting up, we would decide on a route, which usually involved getting over to An Ordinary Travel Agent’s Office. This was always challenging because it required crossing 280 and scurrying up a neighboring island to the safety of hidden bushes. You could rarely make it across in one pass so you would have to hide inside the wood and steel guardrails that used to pass for dividers before concrete came into vogue. The fact that some drunk in a truck could smash into your guardrail hiding place never entered our feeble brains. Once the lane was clear you would burst out of the guardrail to the nearest bushes. Once safe it was an easy walk and crossing to your destination.
Often, more of your friends would be there and you’d have a great hang. One time a friend came in his car and stopped long enough to drop off a case of beer before joining us later. We were even nice enough to save him a couple of bottles. I heard that another time someone dropped off a pizza. If we had enough energy we would do The Long Run which involved a fifty plus yard sprint down to the point of a sizeable triangular island, rounding a merging traffic sign and dashing back to the safety of some waiting bushes, all without being seen by passing motorists out past their bedtime. I did it successfully once or twice. A real whoop!
After getting off the islands it was a quick trip to the best doughnuts in the western world. Sometimes the only other customer was a a CHP officer completing paperwork. If we timed it right we arrived just after the shop had finished its first fry of glazed old fashioned which would melt in your mouth like warm sugar cream. I could eat at least four.
Alas, all good things come to an end. The islands fell into disrepair, and highway improvement trashed them but good. Thank Godess we were able to experience them in their prime. Just remember that when you tell someone to go play on the freeway, they might take you up on it.
See you next time.
Embrace The Suck 
OMG an Island Hopping post! The secret is out. As crazy as it sounds now, if you weren’t there you can’t understand how much it was our secret world to explore, that nobody else knew about. Like you said, people would bring beer and other refreshments, sometimes a portable cassette player so we’d have music. I remember going out there sometimes and running into people without even planning in advance to meet.
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Island Hopping!! Woo hoo!! Don’t forget “Slaughter House Five” or “Officially Declared F****d.” Every once in awhile, as I’m driving by late at night, I get the urge to roll down the window and shout “ISLAND HOPPERSSSS!” to see if anyone answers.
Good times, Bab.
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wow, what a memory you just brought up. we lived with H-85 behind our house near where the Dalles Overpass connected Bellville with Bernardo. We would play football out there before it opened and cross over it even when it opened, though that was when there were still few cars using it. THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
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OMG, I had no idea this was even happening. What a sheltered life I lived in Los Gatos. We just walked and partied on The Flume and at the Novitiate.
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Your freeway fun sounds fabulous however the donut eating caught my attention the most unfortunately
They are offering Apple cider donuts at the local orchards; i’ll get you 4 !
Whew you could pound them! You are the best!
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More of Silicon Valley in the 70s please! And where did you get the best donuts? Does the place still exist? What did you think the future would be like when you were that age? Where does all that recklessness go? I was a library cat my whole life, the best rule breaking of my life has been with Graham…starting with a ride in his Toyota 4Runner across the median of the El Camino on our way to Target when we were 25. Not quite as sassy as island hopping, but plenty wild for two mega-nerds 💜
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We would go to Donut Wheel on De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino. Best ever!
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Hi Bob – Clark here. It’s been a while since I’ve communicated!
Easter just read your blog to me, as I am unable to read the small text for myself. We both enjoyed your memoirs of “playing on the freeway”. We enjoy your wit and humor …and can also appreciate the nostalgia of it all. We also greatly admire how you’ve chosen to enlighten us with your journey. You’re a Good Man, Robert!!!
Wishing you the Best for your Birthday! Say “Hello!” to all.
-til next time,
Clark (& Easter)
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You are crazier than I ever imagined. And you could have been killed. Do I sound like your mother? Good. Great story though. Keep ’em coming.
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Bob – This is hilarious! The 70’s version of a side show! You crazy kids! And for your next adventure story?!!! Keep them coming- I’m sure you have a million of them! Have a lovely weekend!
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But where did you get the donuts? We still dream about Chuck’s on Woodside Road.
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Donut Wheel on De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino.
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I guess not as dangerous as drugs today but OMG
Sent from my iPhone
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Such fine memories. We all have the “dangers” of youth remembrances. I remember at 10 years old, sneaking over the 8′ walls of our HOA pool in the winter (Tahoe), clambering onto these 8’x2′ floating Styrofoam ice breakers in the pool (not drained) and 12′ deep (creepy).. Beneath us green water and floatmen bugs. We had no thought of our welfare or the illegality of it all. Ahhh the sweet bliss of youth! 🙂 I realize how trite this all sounds, but it sticks in my mind as a beautifully childlike choice. No regard for consequence of any kind. It’s just so different of how the “adulting” world goes.
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As your little sister, I was never included on these adventures, but I remember hearing about them!!!! Now, as an adult and a Mom, I half wish my
Kids had stories like this to tell. These are some of the treasured memories of childhood the tech era has robbed today’s kids of. I thank God
for the amazing Guardian Angles that watched over you and kept you safe. And, as another person wrote, give us more history tales!!! And, yes, Donut Wheel had the best cinnamon roll donuts ever!!!!!
Margaret
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Happy Birthday, Bob! Loved seeing the pix! And how kind of you to ask about me! I’m flattered, with all you have had going on! I know Jan filled you in, so, so far, so good (or something that!)! Grateful for all you have done to educate so many of us! Take care! Kay
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Thanks for the reminisce. Bob. I would have never guessed.
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Nor I, for from your responsible adult life protecting greenbelts and open spaces, I also pictured you escaping from freeways, not becoming entwined within them. You are always surprising. Dick
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As I go back and re-read these, Brother Bob, I feel I need to comment occasionally. I loved the Island Hopping, but you forgot to mention the drainage tunnel that went under the 85S to 280S onramp. Maybe 50 yards long, it was a exciting to crouch down and shuffle through that tunnel in the dead of night with the drone of cars passing overhead. Good times!
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