We opted for a *Night Tour* of Alcatraz...this enabled us to see a little more than those people who visit during the *Day Tours*. As we began the rocky climb to the actual prison, the clouds parted for a minute and a bit of blue peeked through.
Alcatraz is home to many different species of Birds........but on this very cold and late day, I only saw the current *Sentinels of the Rock* - Seagulls!
There were hundreds of them...their cries filling the darkening sky as they soared through the clouds - or stood watch.
Still climbing upwards....I heard a *Caw - Caw*....and a Raven landed! Look closely amid the greenery and you will see his shiny black feathers! Lo, you send your emissaries everywhere!
Almost to the top entrance where prisoners entered and were led to their cells.
Although I have grown up in the *Shadow* of Alcatraz.....I had no idea of how utterly grim it was inside. The cells were unbelievably tiny.... a large man would have only a few feet to move about....I was almost overcome by the still-stifling rows of tiny, airless cells. It was a sobering experience.
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| In the only area with some room....the "Library".... three tired visitors.... |
I didn't know if I would have the courage to actually enter one of the isolation cells....but I decided I should...this was shot from the back of this very tiny, dark cell. Imagine spending months in here....
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| Putting on a *Brave Smile*....but I really couldn't wait to get back outside... |
The view across the Bay to San Francisco......
The Lighthouse....
Outside, though, I found some incredible beauty (yes, really)..... for one thing, there were many Baby Seagulls....fluffy and peeping away.....
Beautiful, lush banks of Wild Flowers......
As we began our descent to the Ferry back to San Francisco, the Sun actually appeared for a Golden-Rose minute - casting warm rays over the Bay, Angel Island...and even Alcatraz.
I hope you enjoyed visiting *The Rock* with us!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
i loved visiting alcatraz and have done it several times. the first time was when it was first opened and they gave you much more access than they do today. you sure are having a fun time!
ReplyDeleteHello *Jaz*...wow...you must have seen Alcatraz very differently than we did....it was a powerful experience - one that I will never forget! I think Britt feels the same.
Delete♥ Robin ♥
Wow Robin, that was an awesome tour and great commentary you gave us. I can't even imagine guys having to stay there.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to tell you, if your opera people ever put on 'Madame Butterfly' I am coming to see it. It is my favorite opera and the only one I have ever seen.
Hugs
Teri....seeing the actual cells was a shock to me.....(it was very different in the Alcatraz Movies we see..) Spending years there - particularly in the isolation cells would have really tested one's mental strength!
DeleteAnd...I promise to keep you informed about *Butterfly*!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
well you were brave to brave alcatraz at night! it's enough to make me be as "good" as I can be. i hope never to be imprisoned. but you do get a lovely view of the city from there.
ReplyDeleteSuki - I really liked we went at Night....less people and more space to wander freely.... yes, freedom is a most wonderful thing....to be imprisoned would be awful beyond belief!
DeleteThe City - even shrouded in fog - was still gorgeous...but how painful for the inmates to see it....
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
What a wonderful tour!! I've heard that it's quite a moving experience being there. I love the shot from isolation. How grim, looking toward the light.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a fun time with your newly met blogging friends, but not newly met on the blogs. Wow, life is amazing throwing us all together!
xoxo
love,
Lo
Oh, and YES, my emissaries are everywhere ;)
Dear *BS*....it was grim to to step inside that cell....but I am proud of myself for doing it...
DeleteLife on the Blogs IS amazing....it helps teach us that there are so many wonderful people all round the World!
Yes, your Emissaries travel everywhere sending *Lolo Love*! I couldn't believe it when Mr. Raven landed right above me!
Love,
♥ LS ♥
You're all set now for nightmares of being locked up on death row like Dr. Eric Tremble (I think that was David Janssens' character) for "a crime you didn't commit."
ReplyDeleteSnow...you are right! I forgot about *The Fugitive*.... It was a very sobering experience...thank goodness for the Wildflowers, the Birds and that brief moment of the Golden Sunset....that helped soften all the horror...
DeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
"I forgot about *The Fugitive*...."
DeleteHis name was Richard Kimble, as I later remembered.
Wow.. I went to Brits blog to see her pix of Alcatraz. very grim for sure. I guess that was the reason for it tho..to try and keep people honest and not go there.. I think its been 50 years since three men broke out and disappeared from there. Wonder if they ever did get away. Bet you will have a different perspective of it now looking at it from your side and glad you are on your side. :))
ReplyDeleteCris, those mend DID make it. (We think....) Their bodies were never found....so *Legend* has it - they were successful. Still, that's a lot of very cold water to swim in....the City looks so close....but in reality, it isn't!
DeleteOh yes....so happy I am a *good girl*.....prison is the worst!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
We toured Alcatraz when we visited San Francisco several years ago. I shut myself in one of the solitary confinement cells and felt like I was on the verge of having a panic attack.
ReplyDeleteHi CS.... oh, then you KNOW....wasn't it the worst!!!
DeleteSending warm hugs from COLD SF....
♥ Robin ♥
I'm glad you got a least one moment of "Golden Rose".
ReplyDeleteWhen there, I could actually feel the depression of being caged creep into my soul. Impossible, I think to imagine being there for many years. I'm thinking it must have been especially haunting at night.
You put together a wonderful tour of this bleak and dismal place.
It's been so Texas hot here that it (almost) sounds nice,,,your weather.
Hi Babs...yes, seeing Alcatraz as Twilight began to darken everything added to the experience... *haunting* is the perfect word.
DeleteAh, HOT.....sigh....sounds yummy to me! Although the last few days have warmed up - to 60! A-ha-ha!
Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
Wow what a visit! Prison does something to you I think .....
ReplyDeleteI visited Robbeneiland and was so impressed.....Had to cry at the end of the tour......
I bet it must have left a special impression.
And lucky you you were there in the company of warm friends think of being there locked up and no one to care for you. Life must have been grim ......
♥M
Dear *M*, I know would have cried if I had visited Robbeneiland too...
DeleteIt did help to be amid friends....
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
You found beauty in a grim place - as you always do.
ReplyDeleteYou probably would not have lasted long in that cell - nor would I.
You are so right..... we are not meant to be cut off from the daylight, the starlight....the beauty of the world!
DeleteHugs, *mysterious friend*,
♥ Robin ♥
funny: mr ryan and i were learning about alcatraz last week. i believe there were 17 attempted escapes in all those years and only one that may have been successful.
ReplyDeletegrim is a serious word. it sounds like the feeling of grim pervades even still.
love
kj
KJ....grimness still hangs over Alcatraz - like a shroud. It came as a huge surprise to me...and now, when I see it in the Bay....I feel very differently about it. Still, I am glad I experienced it.
DeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥