Alcatraz!

"Break the rules and you go to prison,
break the prison-rules and you go to Alcatraz."

Despite numerous visits, the infamous Alcatraz still captures my imagination.

At various times in its history it has been a military fort, military prison, focus of Native American protests and now a national park. But the name Alcatraz most readily conjures images of the harshest prison ever designed for maximum security prisoners, existing as such between the years 1934 and 1963. No one wanted to go there, least of all prisoners.

Me, I love it. ;-)

Despite having visited once before, all the girls were excited to go again...especially Bryanna who has recently read 2 novels based on Alcatraz (Al Capone Does My Shirts - thanks Jan! - and Al Capone Shines my Shoes) and was fascinated to see the places where the guard families lived.

It was a wonderful hot day - no fog! - and we departed the ferry at Alcatraz island...we quickly checked out out some of the exhibits near the dock but then headed up to the main prison block to pick up our audio guides.

These audio tours are really well done...narrated by actual former guards and inmates and including sound effects, the prison was brought eerily to life again as we walked through the huge prison.

Cassidy had actually been worried about visiting the cell block as she had some memory from the last visit of getting stuck in a cell (didn't happen!), therefore she stayed close by me while Bryanna headed off fairly independently. Cass was thrilled that the cells were locked in the open position and got right into them (no pun intended!)

Cass in one of the isolation cells!

We loved the recreation yard...the privilege that the inmates worked hardest to earn. Here is Cass perched at one end of the yard...

Here is the yard as it was during the prison years...

And here is a video re-enactment of one of the favourite inmate past-times!...

The views from the north end of the prison by the ruins of the Warden's home (looking toward San Francisco) are inspiring and we spent some time walking the grounds.

As mentioned, we all took the audio tour and the girls were enthralled. All three could not get enough of the escape stories...especially the one that included the dummy heads and they have acted out that escape at home repeatedly ever since.

Here is Cass in the dining hall listening to a re-enactment of a prisoner revolt over poor food. Kim has similar shots of Sweetpea.

We ended our visit with a stroll through the old inmate gardens outside the main prison buildings. Today, those gardens have been re-imagined and are tended by teams of volunteers - they are lovely in such a stark and dramatic place.

On a final note, I smiled to look back to 5 year old Brya's first glimpse of Alcatraz and K helped me pair it up with her happy smile of today.

Countdown...only 3 days left in my favourite place. *sigh*