Alcatraz

On Friday night we visited the most famous prison in the U.S., Alcatraz. The audio tour was really good, lots of interesting stories.

Mary and Marc believe all prisons should be run this way.... Regulation #5 states: "You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. ANYTHING ELSE YOU GET IS A PRIVILEGE"

The Rock


From 1969-71, Indians occupied Alcatraz.


Once a week the inmates showered and received fresh clothes.


A typical cell. This is one from the escapees in 1962 where they fabricated fake heads to fool the guards which gave them a 13 hour head start. They were never caught nor were any bodies found.


The cell block.

Location:San Francisco, CA

Fisherman's Wharf

We took the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf to visit the sights. It's fleet week, Obama's in town and the Blue Angels were practicing over the Bay - awesome performances.

We headed to Ghirardelli Square for a coffee - very hard to buy it without ordering chocolate or ice cream. It's complicated.

Of course we had to get a crab roll for lunch but didn't realize how aggressive the seagulls were. They wait for you to cross the street and then they attack from behind - both Mary & Joe were assaulted but were able to save the sandwich!

Then we headed to Pier 33 to catch the cruise to Alcatraz.

Location:San Francisco, CA

Off to Fisherman's Wharf for the Day

Our ride on the cable car.

Location:San Francisco, CA

Powell & Market Cable Car

Waiting for the Cable Cars to be turned manually.

Location:San Francisco, CA

Doing our Part for the Water Shortage

The boys have not shaved since we entered California - they say it's for the 'cause' saving on water.

What do the Mom's think?

California Highway 1

Fort Bragg to San Franciso

As you saw we had a great dinner in Fort Bragg but then arriving back at the Fort Bragg Tavellodge, we met our rather strange neighbours... We now refer to them as the "serial killers". Jan was a traumatized when she claimed "the little one touched me!"

We were glad to be on the road along the coast with lots of curves and switch-backs. We were glad we recorded the trip on video since we needed to pay a lot of attention to the road.


When we stopped for lunch, Marc lost the tip of his ear-plug in his ear which required an emergency road-side "removal procedure"


Successful Removal!!!


We took a short detour to view the Golden Gate Bridge before heading into the city.

Location:California

Pointe Reyes Lighthouse

Thursday on our ride from Fort Bragg to San Francisco we wanted to visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse, where the movie "The Fog" was filmed (now we know why).

We rode the 19 foggy miles in from highway #1 passing 'Historical Farm' G, F, E, C, B & A (not sure where D was?). The ride was our typical adventure including, sand, ruts in the road, cows roaming freely and many hawks hunting nearby.

As you can see, the lighthouse in the background is quite spectacular. 😉