Alcatraz - SF

We knew we wanted to see Alcatraz on our vacation, and it turned out to be our favorite thing while visiting San Francisco!  Everyone we talked to said to dress warm because the ferry ride across the bay was really cold.  So we put on sweatshirts and coats for the 10 min ride over there.  It was only cold if you stood up :)  The island at the right of the picture is Alcatraz, housing a high-security penitentiary from the mid 1930's - 1960's.  It's well known for the escapes attempted by swimming across the bay.  

Travis took this picture (below)  and I love it.  I really like it in color.  But we both agreed a black and white Alcatraz post would be much better suited for an old-fashioned yet eery post.  No really, these ARE the things we talk about :)

Do you see him?

This is a typical cell that a prisoner would live in.  The listening tour was really informative and we were really glad we picked up a headset.  Best part:  it was free!

They said that when the wind was blowing just right, prisoners could hear the voices/ laughter from Fisherman's Warf.  And they could always hear the excitement on New Year's Eve.  Torturous... but I suppose that was the point!

This is the view that they would have during their "outdoor" time.  I can't remember what it was actually called, maybe rec time... ?

Where they ate their meals.

One of the things that stuck out to me the most was that some of the guards lived on the island with their families.  So small children would be living, sleeping, and playing on the same site as one of the countries most locked-down prisons!

I would recommend this site-seeing opportunity to anyone.  And don't forget your headset :)