Thursday, April 14, 2011

Tour'd da Rock


Welcome to Alcatraz the former world famous prison. To get to prison you had to be bad. To get to Alcatraz, you were really bad in prison.


Often referred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal Bureau of Prisons until 1963.

Golden Gate Bridge


Coming up to the docks.


The "Indians Welcome" writing is from the American Indian occupation of the island from 1969 to 1971.



This building served as Penitentiary Social Hall and military post exchange.



Evan looking out over the roofs.



Main prison door. We walked through the same entrance the inmates took upon arriving at Alcatraz.


Enter if you dare!


Hailey is standing where inmates would come and receive their clothes and shoes when first entering Alcatraz.



After receiving their clothes, the inmates were stripped and put in the communal shower.


There were three layers of jail cells. A large lock box securing the doors were at the end of the corridors.


The audio tour guide walked us through the jail. Four old inmates talked about their time on Alcatraz.



Connor standing next to a map showing the outdoor recrecation center. You earned good behavior points and were permitted special treatment like going outside or getting a book from the library.


This was their house.


On the wall are pictures of some famous Alcatraz Inmates including AL Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and "The Bird man".


Here is where the inmates were able to talk to their visitors.


The grounds outside. Despite inmates escaping, Alcatraz was closed due to the high cost of keeping open and the continual eroding environmental upkeep.


Watch tower



Picture of the Golden Gate Bridge from Alcatraz.


A replica of a cell where one of the inmates escaped.


Another one of the cells showing you how small the hole in the wall was when Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin crawled through.


A typical jail cell of an inmate.


The boys checking out the boiler room.



Everyone gave this night tour a thumbs up.

Lombard Street


Lombard Street in San Francisco, the “Crookedest Street in the World.” There are eight switchbacks on a 27% decline.


The view from the top of the street looking towards the bay.


The boys always ready for adventure. The biggest ones ran up the stairs along the street.


Funny when kids are bored, they start playing games.


Little Evan says he wants to pet the birdie and then moves in stealth-like looking ready to pounce on his prey.

San Francisco


Heading out to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Strolling through Piers 33 to 39.


Famous Ghirardelli Square where you can get Ghirardelli chocolate and ice cream. Yumm


Shiver me timbers. Ghastly pirates!


Hailey overlooking the balcony watching the trolleys go through the streets.


The imaginations were stimulated at mermaid fountain. Two little boys wanted to play in the water.



Out to lunch with my boys.


The life size transformer didn't dissapoint.

Hailey meeting the president.


What better way to get the boys to read, a story about guns and fighting.


Connor ready to take action.


Logan looking solom as he walks Broadway.

Bakeries everywhere! You can even request a shape!

Lover's Point and Sand Dunes Beach