San Francisco: Alcatraz Part II Inside

The actual prison on Alcatraz Island was as creepy as it was intriguing. Perhaps because I've never actually been to prison, I couldn't help imagining what the place would have been like when it was in its prime. With inmates in every cell and officers patrolling 24 hours a day. The cells themselves were extremely depressing, a single bed, toilet, chair and desk was all the inmates had. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to actually live there but at the same time I was intrigued by the  history that came with the facility. Did you know that someone dug themselves out using only a spoon? Or that the officers didn't carry guns around the cell block for fear that one of the prisoners would steal them? See, these are some of the fun facts I learned on my audio tour! I would go back to this place in a heart beat. So interesting and so strangely beautiful.

The exercise area

The library

The kitchen--they painted the knife outlines so that they could easily see if one was missing

San Francisco: Alcatraz Part I Outside

Last week I went on business trip to San Francisco & lucky enough for me, I was able to squeeze in some touristy stuff in between my work responsibilities. One of my little excursions landed me on Alcatraz Island.  The morning I went, the infamous San Francisco fog was in full effect, and the 12-mile island was cast into a gloomy, murky, light which only made the place more eerie.  I was able to take some pictures when I was there and have to say that they don't do the place justice. If you're ever in the area, you must go. It's a once-in-a-lifetime place.

What I think I loved most, was the strange beauty all of the green moss added to every surface. Part of the reason why the facility was closed was due to the up-keep costs and I could only imagine how costly it would have been to keep that beautiful moss from growing.