And here is the same stretch today, posted on flickr by rmadlo119:
As you can see, the TraveLodge became "University Lodge," in much the same way that my family's TraveLodge became "All-American Inn." (There was a time in the late 80s when the corporation sold off a lot of its properties to franchisees.) But the Aztec Motel is still the same (well, not quite -- it's now covered in folk art, but that's another post). The 7-11 is where "Runaway Bride" Jennifer Wilbanks used the pay phone to call authorities with her phony story that she'd been kidnapped, and Solano Drive runs between University Lodge and the 7-11.
What this is all leading to is this: Just two blocks down Solano from this photo is where Chris and Alysia lived for several happy years. Now THAT'S history you can use!
