Alcatraz

On Monday we took the ferry out to Alcatraz. The admission fee included a roundtrip (thank goodness!) ferry ride and an audio tour, which was narrated by former Alcatraz corrections officers and inmates. It was great to be able to wander around the prison while learning about the different places, the history and the people. It is a really neat and pretty creepy place. We were all surprised by how small it is--not a ton of cells, but they housed some of the most notorious prisoners of the time. While in the recreation yard, those prisoners had some of the most breathtaking views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and the entire bay--they could certainly see what they were missing!

View of the island from the ferry.

View of the prison from a little way above the dock--it was a little bit of a hike to get up to the main building, as it's perched at the very top of the island.

View from the recreation yard. Except for the whole being in prison part, it's a beautiful spot!


View of the prison from the corner of the recreation yard.

My sweet boy and I.

Joanna and Steve watching the baby seagulls who were all along the edge of the island.

Nathan having lunch before we started the tour--can't go to prison on an empty stomach!

Father and son

The cells were really small.

One of the main corridors.

Todd checking out the view from outside of the Warden's office.

San Francisco!

Todd making himself at home!

Do you think they would let Nathan and I be roommates?

They look awfully happy for being inmates!

After we returned to the mainland, we swung through Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf to see the sea lions and the crazy tourist scene. The sea lions were really cute, but more than a little odiferous, and Fisherman's Wharf was totally overwhelming, especially at the end of the day! It made me glad that we were hanging out with the locals. :)