I LOVE Alcatraz! I went with my Mom a couple of times when I was a teenager, a couple of times with the YMCA while I was a Junior Counselor, and most recently in January of 2007 for a night tour while my cousin and her daughters were visitng. And I thought the views during the day were spectacular!

I love the creepiness of the place, the thought of all of those criminals in there ready to stick a shiv into someone’s back for little more than a pack of cigarettes. (Well, I’m assuming that Alcatraz isn’t all that different from any other hard-time prison and did actually have the occasional murder inside those cells and walls.)

When they had live tour guides (when I went with cousins, we used handheld devices), they would tell us they couldn’t lock us any of the cells for fear the mechanisms that close and open the sliding bars would fail, causing us to be locked in for an extended period of time. But for whatever reason, they agreed to let my Mom and me give it a try, and so we did. They locked us in! It was FANTASTIC! We also wanted to be locked in solitary confinement, and that was pretty awesome too. I can’t imagine having to live in that manner for even one day, with not even a speck of light from under the door, nor sound from a scuttling mouse to reach my ears, the only visit from a guard bringing food a couple of times a day.

The most recent visit, however, was truly the most spectacular when it comes to views of the surrounding cities, particularly San Francisco. And because it was a clear, crisp night, the view of the GGBridge was simply awe-inspiring.

Richard, you really must get out to Alcatraz. If you want to avoid the tourists, go during down season. It’s probably an especially good time now, too, what with the world’s economy keeping visitors away, at least to a degree. And if I had to suggest day or night, while I love both, I would go with night. And during January or February, when the sun sets on the earlier side. The sunset coming in over the GGB can’t be missed.

Until next time…
Chloe

Richard, your writing and presence on the program are superb, congratulations,

Steve Wyro

the sad truth is… in all these years i’ve NEVER been out there!

shameful, i know. there’s no doubt in my mind that if i didn’t live here, if i were just in town for a few days on a visit i’d make a point of seeing it, but somehow i’ve just never quite gotten around to it.

(if only i were a better swimmer. :)

Most San Franciscans – myself included during my 15 years by the Bay – are reluctant to rub elbows with a boatload of tourists.