Mumblings and Musings…

OK, so I wasn’t technically in the slammer…but, as close to it as I ever intend to get. Several months ago I visited one of San Francisco’s biggest tourist traps, Alcatraz. I have decided that it is a tourist destination for a reason, as I had a terrific time! I was extremely fortunate with the weather and got a warm sunny day with white puffy clouds. This was a solo day-trip into the city while I was still job hunting and my husband was in school. So, just the excitement of a lone adventure had me up and rearing to go at daybreak. I rode the CalTrain in to San Francisco(public transit is still a thrill for this Texas girl) and took a bus from the station, down The Embarcadero, to the ferry dock for Alcatraz. Did I mention my eagerness that morning? Well, I got there a little early. But, that was no matter. I grabbed a great cup of coffee and a croissant from a nearby cafe and took up post at one of their “standing” tables out front, so that I could watch all the interesting passersby. San Francisco is a great place to people watch!

When my alloted Ferry time came around, I clambered onto the large swaying boat, armed with my camera and a sudoku. I took a seat on the top of the boat with the sun beaming down warmly on my shoulders. It did get a little windy up there(lost my sudoku) but the ride was wonderful! Alcatraz is situated on prime real estate, right in the middle of San Francisco Bay. If only those prisoners had a room with a view!

Upon docking, I huffed up the very steep and long hill to the top of the island where the prison building sat. Along the way, I passed different buildings, some were homes to the prison guards and their families. I find it interesting that the guards all lived on the island with their families, children and all. These kids would take a boat onto the mainland for school, but, went home to the island each night. This is where they grew up! One of them should write a book.

The prison building is truly intimidating and spooky. It is cell upon cell and every sound echoes in the massive hall of a room. I took some pictures of an individual cell. They are extremely small, the cot just barely fitting inside. The prisoner had an option of sleeping with their head clanging into the bars or draped over the toilet. I am not really sure which I would choose!

I took the audio tour, which was excellent. I don’t usually do these, but, it has been rated one of the top audio tours in the country, so I gave it a try. The program was the right mix of drama and fact. I enjoyed it thoroughly and became so engrossed that I forget the people around me as I was led from room to room. I even stopped in one of the solitary confinement cells and shut the door to experience the darkness. From that moment on I promised myself to lead an honest life…or just never get caught. Yikes!

After I was done inside, I stepped outside into the sunshine(freedom!) and had a real treat. There was an air show going on in the Bay and the planes were buzzing right over Alcatraz. It was quite spectacular and I took lots of pictures. I would highly recommend the Alcatraz Tour for the great historical site as well as the beautiful scenery. It is yet another great spot in the fabulous city of San Francisco!