San Francisco: Day Two (First Half)

According to the title, this could get long!

We started our 2nd day at Alcatraz. This was one of the things I was really looking forward to doing on this trip and it turned out to be a favorite of my weekend. The history of Alcatraz is very interesting (but not interesting enough to make you read about right now!).

The city view from the ferry

View of Alcatraz from the ferry

The entrance to Alcatraz. The Indians took over after it closed as a prison. Their welcome is still painted on the entrance.

Where the inmates received their uniforms.

Where they showered (bet you were hoping to see that!)

An inmate's cell

Some notorious inmates

The cell of an inmate who may have escaped Alcatraz. 

The 5 inmates who escaped made replica faces to fool the guards. This was one of them.

The kitchen- the knives were painted on so they would know which (if any) were missing.

Took these for the kids. Kevin thinks I was crazy for smiling in the cell!

What once was a house to the worst criminals is now a safe haven for nesting birds.

After Alcatraz, we had lunch at a little cart off the road (no- I am not joking) at Fisherman's Wharf. We had Clam Chowder and Fish and Chips. When you see the crates of crabs below you might see why I was a little nervous about our lunch, but it really was very good and nobody was sick later in the day!

The seals at Pier 39. Fun to watch, but smelly!

San Francisco: Day One

We flew out early in the morning. I was awakened by my oldest at 4 am who needed an extra hug before I left. He has a way of tugging at my heart!

The flight was fantastic- I read almost an entire book that I'd been waiting a year to read (Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks). This was my 2nd time flying without the kids since I've had kids. It's a luxury to fly alone! It also doesn't hurt to travel with a "summit level" seasoned air traveler who gets the roomy seats and free tv either.

It was my first time in the city, so Kevin took me around to show me the sights.

We stayed at the Wyndham Parc 55 in Union Square. It was a great location and great hotel right next to the trolley stops and convenient shops and restaurants. These pigeons were always just outside our hotel. 

We had passes to ride the trolleys and buses. We did ride them, but sometimes it was hard to find space, so we walked a ton!

The end of the line- they still have to get out and turn it around manually. 

Lombard Street- the crookedest street in America?

Ghirardelli Square- Free Chocolate- Mmmm

The Street Performers and such-

• The "Jesus Loves You" guy was just outside our hotel the whole weekend 
• The second "Bush" guy hid behind branches and scared people as they walked by (We were told he makes $50,000 a year from this.)
• The last was a performer at Fisherman's Wharf. The boys hate this picture! 

A hill we climbed late in the day. If you look closely in the 2nd photo you'll see our reflection waiting for the trolley to help us to the top of that hill!