There it is... way off in the distance.
Pretty cool, isn't it?
Once we got on the island, we decided to do the cellhouse audio tour. We each got a headset device that gave a really good audio tour of the prison. There were interviews from former inmates and officers, too. It was very interesting. We got a really good inside look at Alcatraz. First stop, the showers. Tatum wasn't very thrilled with the prospect of public group showers.
Those cells were really small, and the prison seemed pretty inescapable. We did learn, however, that there were several escape attempts. One attempt was even successful, however, no one knows what happened to the escapees. They just disappeared once they escaped the prison. Most think they drowned. We were out there in the cold and wind, and I can't even imagine swimming across that bay!
Next up, solitary confinement. These were the small cells they used for the inmates that required harsh discipline. There was no light or anything. One inmate told a story about how he kept his sanity in solitary confinement. He would pull a button off his shirt and toss it on the floor. Then he would attempt to find it in the dark. Once he found the button, he'd throw it across the room and start over again. Not my idea of fun.
Here's another view of "the block." Those numbered doors down at the bottom are the solitary confinement cells. On the audio tour, one of the inmates told the story about how, from their cells, they could hear the sounds of San Francisco and the yachts that sailed the bay, especially during New Year's Eve. They could hear the sounds of parties and laughter and told how infuriating it was. Civilization was within sight and sound, but not within reach.
From the windows of the prison building and just outside in the yard, there was a pretty neat view of the city. Man, was it windy, though!
Just to give you an idea of how windy it was... this is Rylee out in "The Yard." The Yard was where the inmates got their excercise every day. It was basically an asphalt court. It was so windy on the steps of The Yard, that we couldn't even see Rylee's face.
Another view of The Yard.
The kids were totally engrossed in the audio tour. I think it was the highlight of the trip. If you ever get the chance, I would highly recommend it. It was definitely worth it. Once our tour was over, we boarded the ferry again and headed back to Rustyn's house.
It was time to hit the road once again, so we packed up our car, said goodbye to Uncle Rusty and the city of San Francisco, and headed out to Pleasanton, CA. The kids donned their pajamas and turned on Disney Channel for a few hours of relaxation. Tomorrow, bright and early, we head out to Valencia. See ya in the morning!
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