This morning we had reservations for the 10 am ferry to Alcatraz. The kids all enjoyed the ferry ride over to the island. I had forgotten that it's quite a walk up to the actual prison and that it's all up hill. Of course, the last time Scott and I were here was the year we married and the thought of pushing a baby stroller there never crossed my mind! After taking turns pushing up hill we finally made it to the entrance. They give you a free audio tour device that you can pause when you need to. It was great. It was narrated by actual prisioners and prision guards. Thomas really enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. Grace on the other hand chose this time to be quite contrary. As you can tell from the picture below. We were in the solitary confinement cell, and I was ready to leave her in it!!
She and her Daddy had a little come to Jesus meeting in the prison yard and she did great the rest of the tour. I wasn't sure how much they would get out of the experience, but after asking them a few questions later, I was surprised at how much they learned. Alcatraz is very well done.
I am continually amazed and pleased with the quality of our National Parks Service. During these massive trips we've taken last year and this year we've encounted the Parks Dept. in a variety of ways and I am always so impressed with how well organized and efficient they are and how well they preserve the integrity of the places in their care. We purchased the annual pass this year, which gets us into all the parks that charge admission per car plus preferred ticketing at certain sites, etc. When we left today we passed the donations box. I asked the kids if they liked Alcatraz and they said yes. Then, I asked them if they thought they would like to come back someday and bring their kids and they said yes. So, I had each of them put money in the donations box! Never pass up that "teachable moment!"
After we came back from Alcatraz we walked down to Pier 39 for some lunch. Now, I MUST have clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl when I'm here, so Thomas ordered chili in a bread bowl. He are nearly the whole huge bowl and Grace helped Scott polish off his!
We walked to the end of the pier so that the kids could see the seal lions. They all three had the best time watching the sea lions play and sun themselves.
After our visit to the sea lions, Thomas and Grace spotted this thing. It's trampoline bungie jumping. They each had to have a chance to give it a try.
After this we headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest! Later we went to Ghiradelli Square for dinner and then casually wandered back towards the hotel stopping in all the little shops along Fisherman's Wharf. Once back at the hotel, after baths they had a cupcake picnic with cupcakes I had bought on the sly in Ghiradelli square!
Thomas's Top Five for June 9, 2007:
1. "Being in the jail cells."
2. "Listening to the head phones."
3. "Bungie jumping"
4. "the Sea lions."
5. "Going in the knife shop."
Grace's Top five for June 8, 2007
1. "The ferry boat."
2. "I liked the sea lions."
3. "Bungie jumping."
4. "Seeing the jail cells."
5. She fell asleep before she could think of #5!!!!
Tomorrow we are going to drive Lombard street, drive on the Golden Gate Bridge (Thomas's request), and check out the Muir Woods. After all that we will drive out to Yosemite National Park.
Blessings,
Leslie
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