San Francisco - Tuesday

Took a tour of Alcatraz Island today. The weather cooperated a beautiful day with gentle breezes temperature in the low 70's. Sometimes you make all the connections and today was one of those. Arrived at the ferry landing and was able to board for Alcatraz within 2 minutes. Had a very informative visit to the island and, as always, learned that place was home to many over the years and for only a few years of its long existence was it a Federal Prison. Families of the warden and his staff of guards lived on the island and the children rode the ferry to San Francisco daily to school. The tour was not "prettied up" but very realistic and what a dreary end of the line place it must have been. One of the prisoners served 15 years of his sentence without a visitor until one day his kid sister came to call. Evidently his family had said we'll have nothing more to do with you. The prison cell blocks were on the top of the rock which is 13 stories high. Volunteers do much of the gardening on the island and it is in stark contrast to the reality on display in the museum of prison life.

Afterwards we had lunch at Pier 39 or Fisherman's Wharf. However, no fresh fish for sale there these days. Among all the choices we ate at North Beach restaurant. Reportedly the best Italian Food in the area. We agreed! Our meal was especially tasty since we only paid for our beer. The waiter turned in our order but somehow it got lost.

Leaving tomorrow morning for San Simeon and the Hearst Castle then down to Murrietta, CA and Jim's brothers home.

Think of all of you often. Love Janet and Jim