After a few weeks of cabin fever, we decided to set out into the "Big City". We had a great time going to Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Warf.
How could we spend the summer in the San Fransisco area and not see some local history? We decided we had to visit Alcatraz Island before we left. With our friends, David, Mary and Elizabeth Kagel, we loaded up the car and headed into the city for our history lesson. It was the Saturday before the fourth of July, so we were glad we had purchased tickets well in advance. They were sold out for the next four days.
When we got there we checked in and sent the boys hunting for some famous clam chowder from Pier 39. They came back with sourdough bowls filled with chowder. Yumm. We ate while we waited in line to catch the ferry.
This sign made us all laugh. We are thinking of making it a house rule. What do you think?
The ferry drops visitors off at the Alcatraz dock. This guard station overshadows the loading area. The actual prison is far above the dock at the top of a steep hill. Luckily for Jennie, who was quite round by this point, they run a cart from the loading area to the prison for those who need it. They took one look and said she needed it.
Here are two of the cells. Not very hospitable quarters. These cells have two fake heads in them. The most ingenious escape attempt was made by three men who used fake heads to fool the guards. By the time the ploy was discovered the men were long gone. No one knows if they lived to tell the tale.
This is the visiting window. Visiting hours were short and closely monitered. Sorry, no conjugal visits.
We didn’t know a lot about Alcatraz before we went. They supplied head phones with a recording that took you through an audio tour of the facility. Jennie had been there before and was impressed with the newer, more modern equipment. We left feeling quite savy about the island and it’s former imfamous inhabitants.
No, we didn’t smuggle anyone out, except the Mexican under Jennie’s shirt (*wink* to Martin). The couple behind us on the ferry ride back joked they thought we might have our baby on Alcatraz. No such luck. Hayden was a well traveled baby before he was even born!