San Francisco

I walked up and down Nob Hill to get to the ferry for Alcatraz. It was only 2 miles in distance but the elevation rose about 1000 feet. My legs were killing me by the time I got to Pier 41. The Cable Car Museum was along this route. That sounds like a good way to return. Alcatraz Island appears in the distance.
s001.jpg	s002.jpg	s003.jpg	s004.jpg
The first sign we see shows signs of the Indian occupation of the island in 1969-1971. National Park Service Official Alcatraz Web Site or History of Alcatraz The self-guided audio tour begins with a stroll down Broadway, between cell blocks B and C. Al Capone spent his time on the second level.
s005.jpg	s006.jpg	s007.jpg	s008.jpg
The yard where the prisoners sometimes got to get fresh air and exercise, even play baseball. They could see what they were missing from the top steps.
s009.jpg	s010.jpg	s011.jpg	s012.jpg
Cell block D, the western side, is where the "holes" were located. Tinier cells with wooden doors that let in no light. Prisoners were kept in these cells for 5 - 19 days for various infractions. See the head in the bed? This is one of the 3 cells made famous by the Great Escape movie. Located near the south end of cell block B on Michigan Avenue. Looking up the hills of San Francisco.
s013.jpg	s014.jpg	s015.jpg	s016.jpg
There are lots and lots of plants growing on the island making it interesting and adding color to this dark place.
s017.jpg	s018.jpg	s019.jpg	s020.jpg
The steps lead up to the iron door into the yard. Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from there.
s021.jpg	s022.jpg	s023.jpg	s024.jpg
This area is the underground portion which was originally part of the first fortification built in the 1850s by the Army as the western protection of the US against invasion. The large amounts of gold in the harbor town also influenced the location. In the 1800s this area was sometimes used as a prison for POWs. Once the roof and higher levels were built, this place became a dungeon, although it was never used for this purpose during the Federal Prison years.
s025.jpg	s026.jpg	s027.jpg	s028.jpg
The sprial stairs are in cell block A, which was never converted for use during the prison years. The bars are flat and easier to cut or break. The building behind the fire plug was the morgue. Guard tower is near the dock.
s029.jpg	s030.jpg	s031.jpg	s032.jpg
The Warden's house sits atop the hill. It was destroyed by fire during the Indian occupation. So too were most of the guards family housing units which were bulldozed after the occupation. The gentleman with the bag in his lap is named Darwin Coon and is a former inmate of Alcatraz. Last building is the former National Mint in downtown San Francisco.
s033.jpg	s034.jpg	s035.jpg	SF2003_01.jpg
These pictures are actually from my trip in 2003. That year the conference had about 15,000 attendees. This year it attracted 35,000 people! Huge crowd! I enjoyed a baseball game at SBC Park.
SF2003_02.jpg	SF2003_03.jpg	SF2003_04.jpg	SF2003_05.jpg
Barry Bonds is at the plate. McCovey Cove is right behind the right field walkway.
SF2003_06.jpg	SF2003_07.jpg	SF2003_08.jpg	SF2003_09.jpg
A San Francisco Trolley, but not the Powell Street Cable Car version that I rode. Picture was corrupted on disk, so I don't have one to show.
SF2003_10.jpg