Exploring Alcatraz

One of my favorites things that we did in San Francisco was the tour of Alcatraz. The audio tour was very engaging and the history behind the island is fascinating. The buildings on the island were originally used as a military base and then a military prison during The Civil War. We almost got stuck on Alcatraz because high winds nearly canceled our ferry ride back to SF. It was a close one--A little too close for comfort!


There are numerous buildings and structures on Alcatraz that are crumbling or no longer open to the public. I found these ruins very interesting and fun to photograph. Before the tour, I had no idea that prison guards and their families actually used to live on the island. The crumbled remains of their homes are nothing more than rock piles now. The island also had a bowling alley and small market for the families' use.



Another aspect of Alcatraz that I didn't learn about until our visit was that American Indians occupied the island in 1969 in protest of treatment of Indian tribes by the US Government. (The island had closed as a prison in 1963.) The group wanted to re-develop the island for use as a cultural center and education center, among other things. While this never happened, the occupation did result in President Nixon repealing legislation that had denied federal recognition of Indian tribes. Traces of the nearly-two year occupation are still seen on the island through graffiti. Look for the word "Free" on the American Eagle crest. "Indians" is on the water tower, but the rust makes it tough to see.




I can't imagine ever being in jail-- let alone in jail on an island. Alcatraz also had a seriously scary section of solitary confinement: "The Hole." The Hole was punishment for those who needed more isolation than basic solitary confinement. When the doors in The Hole were closed, the cells were completely dark. Yikes. The Hole is the final photo and a typical jail cell set-up is the first.

The Day Everything Changed

It's hard to believe that it's been eight years since 9/11.

It's even harder to believe that there are now kids in school who don't remember or know much about that day.

I recall that day very clearly and how I felt -- sad, scared, shocked and confused. It was the first week of my freshman year at Providence College and it was difficult to be away from home and in a new place during such a traumatic and frightening time.

At first, I wanted to go home. I just didn't want to be in a strange place when our country was in turmoil. But then something changed. In the aftermath of the day's disaster, people came together across communities, including the PC community.

Standing arm-in-arm with my PC friends at a candlelit vigil on the evening of 9/11, I felt safe and I found comfort. The way Americans--and the world--came together after 9/11 was truly beautiful and amazing. It was the bright spot during a very dark time.

I know I'm not saying anything unique about the day and many share my feelings, but to me, that sense of community is the most important thing to remember on this day. Hopefully that is what our children and our children's children will learn about this day in the future.

Photo taken at Ground Zero memorial construction site during a trip this February-- A spot every visitor to NYC should see.