Alcatraz!! All fun must come to an end.

So we REALLY thought we weren't going to make it to Alcatraz. All of us (pretty much just me) were whining because we all really wanted to see it while we were there. While talking to a guy at the check-out counter for the gift shop on Day #2, we found a loop hole! He said they usually had an average of 30-40 tickets each day that they would open up early for and sell for that day. Problem was, ticket booth opened at 8 am and in order to get in any kind of a chance of getting a ticket, we had to be there at 6 am. 6 freaking'o'clock standing in line! It was tourture, none of us gave a shit at 4 am when our alarm went off, but we did it anyways.... and it was SO worth it.

 Nothing like a big cheesy grin at 6 am on a public transit bus to start off the day.

 Yeah, bitches! We gots tickets! It was a pretty interesting experience. One meat-head macho guy decided he was the new Line Monitor and questioned every single person getting into line in front of him. He obviously did not have a very good memory because even when I stepped out of line for a restroom break (I had coffee and we were standing in line for 2 hours), he tried to give me guff about *cutting.* I may be little, but we all know you don't poke the sleeping bear, Mr.

 Yay, Alcatraz! This is a view from the front side of the island facing the city. The lighthouse is on top, random buildings they didn't talk about below. I would make an excellent tour guide, eh?

 The three of us girls, "Is that the Golden Gate Bridge?" Jake replies for the 5th time this trip, "No!! That is the Oakland Bay Bridge! When will you girls get this right?" Don't know what was the matter with us... every time we saw bridges we asked Jake if it was the Golden Gate. We are all a little directionally challanged.

 The lighthouse, the Warden's huge mansion right in front of it. Spoiled.

 The San Francisco city edge. And which bridge, girls? The Oakland Bay! On the second day I got smart and figured out this one has 3 peaks, where the GG has only 2. Yup... entire 4 years of college to figure that one out. "But aren't they different colors," you ask? Yes, but in the fog it all looks the same. Gimme a little credit.

 Indians Welcome. Hmmmm.... did you know that before this was totally condemmed it was a Native American stomping grounds for 1 year? And before it was a maximum security prison it was a military base? Crazy the things you learn when you take a self guided audio tour.

 This was the old Recreation Hall where there was a bowling alley downstairs and a movie theater upstairs for the workers' entertainment.

 Some pretty staircase leading to where we weren't allowed. These were steep, my friend.

 Love the way they have left everything exactly how it was. Including this tree growing through the fence.

 I am morbid, this is the morgue. Did you expect anything different from me?

 The inside of the morgue. Wooden exam table and all.

 Our entrance to the Cellhouse.

 Just found a lot of stuff in here really cool.

 When they were first brought in, they came through the showers and picked up their allotted shirts, pants and shoes.

 The line of showers. Even less privacy than the high school gym showers if you can believe that.

 A type of holding cell between the other rows of cells. Added security that came in handy during a well thought out excape attempt during the run of Alcatraz.

 A typical cell. Depressing.

 The recreation area.

 The "Bar Spreader" used in the most famous and deadly excape attempt in the history of Alcatraz.

 If you ever get bored and want to know a little cool history, read about the famous excape attempt. It's chalked full of heroic measures and quick wits.



 How cold.

 Three stories of cells, about 30 cells per row.

 Bars over the windows so they can still open them to get fresh air. The guards said they would open them on purpose on a day where the breeze was coming in from the city. The inmates said they would catch little snippets of women's laughter and it drove them mad. Made them realize how close yet how very far away they were.

 "Cell Block D."

 "Broadway."

 The lighthouse on a closer inspection. Still working today.

 Part of the "Rec Hall."

 A little skyline from the level of the lighthouse.

 And again. Sorry for picture overload, just wanna make sure I captured its essence!

 A typical cellhouse breakfast. The inmates on the audio tour were talking about this was the most dangerous 20 minutes of the day (x 3 times per day). Battles to be fought, sharp objects and pudding cups to be had.

 The kitchen.

 They had to paint outlines of the knives hanging in the cabinet to make sure they would know which one went missing.

 View from the kitchen. Enough to drive me mad, being able to see all that.

 Favorite shot of the day.

 Looking up from the Landing. This is where children living on the island played, dances were had and graduation ceremonies too.

 Door to some of the apartments the guards and their families lived in. Unfortunately they were closed for reconstruction.

 A look past the power house to the other side of San Francisco where the Golden Gate Bridge leads.

 A fun little midget door in the underground portion.

 View of the city, again.

And again... anyone re-thinking this reading my blog business??

 And we're outta there.

 Can't go to San Fran and NOT have a famous Sourdough bread bowl! Since I'm not a fan of the chowder situation, mine housed the most delicious chili I have ever purchased. I say that because I make a mean chili.

 A trolley coming down one of the easier hills here. Across the street from the Ghiradelli Square that you saw pictures of in Day 2.Had to go back to purchase a CD for Shawna and Riane of that guy's music from Day 2 as well. The Chapman Stick fellow?

 I was sooooo tired. This had to have been the longest bus ride back ever. We did succeed in witnessing 2 drug deals and a possible hooker situation though. All in all, a win.

 And the San Fran trip concludes with an excellent, filling dinner at the Black Bear Diner. For those of you who are unaware of the deliciousness that is the BBD, it is like Perkins mixed with your Grammy's cooking on crack. So good.

 We were all starving, but Riane was expecially stoked about her ribs.

Yessirry, those are little black bears adorning each and every booth.

And DONE!! Fabulous trip, my dear friends. Wouldn't have wanted it with anyone else.