Not even on the plane, oh, wait, that's because it's TWO HOURS LATE!!! But enjoying our time alone.
The second day I went to Alcatraz. The first time I went to San Fransisco (technically the second time) we didn't get to go to Alcatraz because by the time we thought about getting tickets they were sold out (it was August). We had no idea they would sell out! So this time I wanted to make time.
This was my transportation :)
JUST on the boat to get to the island. AND it starts misting. I forgot to tell you, on the way from the subway to the hotel, 6 blocks, it rained on us...
Crazy people swimming in the bay. Nutso, I tell ya!
And these birds and the sea lion were playing. I think he was throwing sea weed at them.
Coit tower from the bay.
My destination... It's about a 25 minute boat ride. Just think how long it would take to swim it!
There is the masterpiece. The prison is the top building that is kind of peachy.
The city from the bay. Pretty gloomy out.
This was the original sign that was posted there when it was a prison. But the indians spray painted it when they occupied the island in the 60s.
An old truck they used on the island.
One of the old buildings on the island. The main prison is still in tact but a lot of these free standing buildings (I think this was the officer's club during the civil war) were burned and such during the Indian occupation.
I think this was a church. Sorry for the burrrrriness..
Some crazy people rowing in the bay. Nutty people, I tell ya! We had to walk from where we got off the boat all they up to the top where the main prison was. It was quite the hike, but so worth it!
The entrance.
Everyone (the prisoners) showered when they arrived.
I thought it would be dark and gloomy, and sometimes maybe it is with all their fog, but there are a TON of windows, so when it's nice and sunny like it was the day I went, it's very bright.
This is where some of the cells were.
They had three levels of cells and I think there were three rows. I really don't remember because the audio tour they give you to listen to takes you around and around and back and forth, so you kind of backtrack and go in circles.
This was a typical cell, a toilet, a sink, a couple shelves and a bed.
This was the rule and regulation book they gave the inmates as soon as they got there. They had them for sale, almost got one to go in my house...
This was the view of the city from the rec field.
And this WAS the rec field.
More cells.
These were the "hole"s were. The solitary confinement.
This was the library.
This is where the guards with guns would be. There were no guns on the main floor of the prison.
This is where they could visit with their family members. Not much of a window. They said not many people came to visit.
Itty bitty window!
This was the uniform the guards wore every day. The guards and their families lived on the island and the children would take a water taxi to the city everyday to go to school.
I believe this was the wardens home. Not much left, as you can see.
The city from The Rock.
The island serves as a bird sanctuary and it just happened to be nesting season so there were parts of the island that were off limits. If they weren't so annoying, seagulls can be really pretty.
They also had a garden on the island. It was originally for the wives of the military guards back in the when the island served as a rehabilitation center for military servicemen. They had the prisoners go to Angel island (close by) and dig up dirt and bring it over since the island they were on was, well, a ROCK!! Then they used the 'garden' area for prisoners of Alcatraz. They really loved it as well.
Pretty bird.
This one I didn't even know was there until it looked right at me. I was only about 12 inches away!
The communication room. I think they welcomed visitors here as well.
The mess hall.
I thought this boat was super cool!! It was so far away though I had to break out the big boy!
Beautiful lilies!! They were all over the place, growing wild, not just on the island!
A canon they used during the civil war days.
This was the national park ranger that welcomed us to the island. A couple hours later he dressed in civil war garb and led us around and educated us on what the island served as during the 1800s. SO interesting!!
Heading back to the city. All in all, it was about a 4 hour trip to the island, so if you go, make sure you designate plenty of time! There is so much public transportation in San Fransisco!! There's a subway, these trolleys, the cable cars and city buses. If you live IN the city (or really close to it) and work in/near the city, there's really no reason to have a car!
From the cable car. I thought it was funny that people ACTUALLY KNOW how to turn their wheels when they park on a hill. How many people do this in the midwest??
That's enough for now. I think I'm going to take a nap. Going through all of this makes me remember how worn out I was!
1 comment:
I think his wheels are turned the wrong way!
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