saturday justin and i left super early to drive over to san fransisco. we got in line to visit alcatraz. it was so good!!!! we spent all morning there and i still cant wait to go back and spend time in other areas of the island. it was so cool. i loved the stories and the history. there. they told some stories of the most famous escape attempts. we got to sit in as a ranger shared a more detailed story of one and even more info that the audio tour didnt have yet. so cool. breanna said she went one time and they had a previous inmate speaking. that would be cool to hear sometime.
we then walked around pier 39. i got to cross off a bucket list item and open an oyster for a pearl. we found a lefty store for my mother in law and twin sis dani! we saw the sea lions and a few power struggles there. haha.
we went to the arcade museum and even had a few quarters to spend there. of course we went to ghirardelli square. i love me some chocolate. we were full from lunch, but next time we will have to stop in for a sunday. we drove down lombardo street which was a car guys must, and then drove through the dragon gate into chinatown.
we came home and played with the kids for the rest of the day. tried to take it pretty easy after a long day. on sunday we visited the oakland temple and visitor center. its under renovation, so we have plans to come back for the open house. ryker was sad he couldnt go in to the temple, so i am happy that he will get the chance in a month or 2. we also promised the kids to go to the little farm at tilden park. we meant to go sat, but it didnt work out. so we did a quick visit in our sunday best. the kids got to feed the goats and sheep. we will have to come back another day when we are not in our sunday clothes. haha.
we went to church with breanna and then headed home. poor rayce was fighting a bad diaper rash so we had some good downtime for everyone (naked downtime for rayce) when we got home. it was a short trip but so so fun!!! we cant wait to go back!
playing with auntie beez
she is a rockstar for bringing them all to the park. i dont even do that.
road trip!
waiting to get on the boat
the island is there somewhere
we tried to get the golden gate bridge and alcatraz in the same photo. and we did! its just not easily seen in the back. but its there!
a little better
alcatraz island
the island used to be a military fort. still some structures from there. it was cool to learn about
super fun staircases! i would be terrified to climb them they look way too thin. haha.
the gardens
the morgue
entrance to cell block A. these were the prisons while it was a military fort
thinner bars. they didnt use this as much when it was changed to a prison.
processing area
shower room. there was a sign that said the prisoners gave up privacy. and they removed the stalls in the showers for the prisoners protection.
5x9x7 cell was home
michigan avenue or C block.
pathway in between rows of cells
this is how they entered their cells
along with a regulations book
entrance to dining
famous inamtes
separated by a steel door, this was solitary confinement.
these inmates stayed in there cell and they got 1 hr out a week to shower and walk around the rec yard
slightly bigger at least.
famous members in D block
isolation where they could shut out the light. definitely played some mind tricks
prison library
example of the bar spreader used in the bombing of alcatraz escape attempt.
2 day battle, 6 officers died, national guard was called and grenaded the prison. 3 inmates died.
armed guards would patrol here. at the top is where the inmate used the bar spreader
one of the officers they held hostage and then killed. he hid the key they needed to escape
breathtaking view of the city
control room
escape attempt. 3 inmates made it off the island. officially they are presumed dead at sea. but the ranger who spoke about this attempt said there is evidence that said they landed at angel island 1.25 miles away and have been alive and elsewhere ever since.
showing how they tunneled into the utility hallway and used a fake head to get passed the bihourly head count. guards kept strict count of forks and knives, but not spoons. they broke off the bowl of the spoon and used it as a chissle or drill. 4 escapees (one got caught)
kitchen. even though they kept track of all the knives and utensils. of course knives would still go missing
fun street art
pearl in an oyster!
they made me yell and ring a bell and i really hated that part. i hate having attention drawn to me. but after my heart stopped racing from anxiety, it was really beautiful.
i know a few people who would love this store. ;)
sea lions
one look down pier 39
trying to be an arm wrestle champ like princess diaries
justin still kicked my trash. but i at least got one in on his side!.... out of 5. haha
golden gate is back there somewhere.
ghirardelli square!
trolly! we saw so many, though didnt have time to ride one. next time!
another look at pier 39
crazy steep streets. seriously i was scared our car was going to topple and roll several times. there was one time gps told us to tur right. justin said there is a street there?!?! yes and it was practiclly vertical and scared me.
driving down lombardo street. it was a must.
dragon gate
chinatown
not the golden gate, but another cool gate out of the city
oakland temple
visitor center. it was a fun quick visit. ryker was still sad we couldnt go into the temple.
visiting the farm
goats
feeding the sheep
downtime after our trip back
poor rayce, it took him almost a full week to clear this rash. but he had fun during playtime!
sealions at pier 39
