Alcatraz

The first thing we did when we went to San Francisco was take a ferry to Alcatraz Island. This ended up being my favorite part of the trip. We actually went on the 48th anniversary of the closing, which was kind of neat. It was very interesting touring the maximum-security federal penitentiary. We listened to the audio tour, which was narrated by former inmates, correctional officers, and residents. I could have spent all day here!!!

Alcatraz Island

"The Rock"

Alcatraz (it was a 1/4 mile, 13-story climb to get to the cellhouse)!!!

Enough said!

Shower room...heaven forbid anyone drop the soap!!!

The Cellhouse

Typical 5'x9' cell

This was where all the inmates wanted to stay...they could look out the windows and see the San Francisco skyline.

Famous inmates, including Al Capone and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud

"D" Block or isolation, otherwise known as "The Hole"

Homemade bar spreader

Recreation yard

Recreation yard

When prisoners took guards hostage, the military dropped grenades in from the ceiling...here are the marks on the floor

Visitation

The Warden's house...most of the guards and their families also lived on the island

Andy and me touring Alcatraz with San Francisco in the background

The lighthouse on Alcatraz was the first lighthouse on the west coast

Escape from Alcatraz...with a spoon!

The hole in the back of the cell where prisoners dug out and escaped

This is what was behind the cells from which the prisoners escaped. They climbed up the pipes and out of the prison.

Kitchen/dining room

Gas chambers in the dining area

All the knives in the kitchen had a specific spot so one could tell if any were missing!

The morgue