The Rock.

Sunday was the day we crossed the Bay.  We had bought our Alcatraz tickets a few weeks before after a hotel breakfast, we walked straight down North Beach to pier 39.  An expensive coffee at the Alcatraz coffee bar and then we were herded into line for our 10am sailing.  The ride over was very short- 12 minutes in fact, windy and quite spectacular.  It has been 20 years almost to the month since I was last on this little island- not much has changed, except maybe my perspective and observation skills.  We got off the boat and headed up to get our audio tour headphones- you really cannot do the tour justice without the audio tour.  Our group quickly split up- Dani, Nathan and Elliot were going through without need for pause,  Frank and Delaney were taking it all in, while Heidi and I were stopping lots- many photo ops and just really taking it all in.  I really want to read more about some of the famous prisoners that were housed here- machine gun Kelly, Al Capone, the bird man- so many characters.  Also I had no idea that the wardens and all their families lived on the island, caught the boat over to the mainland for school, but had a functioning village if you will on the island.  Pretty amazing learning about the escape attempts and so much more.  The grades has some amazing views for photo taking.  We need up in the gift shop- maybe 30 minutes after the first of our group- so they were ready to leave when we go there.  There was an ex warden signing books, so got one of those- should provide some good tales; then we were off down the hill to catch the 12:50 boat back.  12 minutes later back on the mainland we were hungry- food seemed to evade us, but we found ourselves back at Boudin's and having a chilli bowl and sandwiches.
Elliot was done- needing a nap.  We were in need of ice cream!  So we ambled along the wharf, taking in the sites and ended up at Ghirardelli Square.  Of course we had to enter the store to get our free square- caramel.  Frank was waiting in the Sundae line, and called us over pretty quick as the lone moved fast.  Orders in and a table to find was another challenge.  A waiter, was nice enough to help us relocate a single lady at a large table and voila we were seated and waiting for the treats- thank goodness Frank and I shared a salted caramel sundae- to die for.  Then we exhausted and in need of some R & R- back to the hotel and a rest before our trek up to Don Pistos.  Our 7pm reservation paid off as we go there and were seated right away.  The food was so good!! Tacos in soft corn shells, tortilla soup, and enchiladas to die for.  After that great meal we needed to walk it off- so we headed up to Lombard street for a walk.  A gorgeous evening - we made our way over and then down the crooked street, a the bottom we decided to catch the trolley back- so back up the crooked street and we waited a while at the top for the street car.  Then back to the hotel and kids all in , we head up the street for a drink- another amazing day.