When we decided to go to Alcatraz, I found myself filled with excitement. To see and learn from this historic place of turmoil and such stories excited me. We naturally took the fairy over to the island. There had been a slight breeze and the weather seemed cool enough. I walked around the cells in awe, can you imagine all the whispers in the history of this place. The evil, socialization, power, fear, anxiety, love, and hate? I could just feel the emotions that lived in this space.
It was a surprise to learn that Al Capone had been a prisoner here. I read through the names of the prisoners and the stories of those who attempted to escape. I found myself wondering, how could this be so hard for people to escape from. Swimming from the island to the shoreline of San Francisco couldn’t have been that hard, it didn’t seem that far. The currents surrounding the islands were noticeable and I realized the escape from this place was probably horrible. Not only was the water cold, but there were also notable currents and undercurrents that could take you down to the depths of the bay quickly.
When you arrive, be ready to spend some time there. Be sure to walk through the cell blocks and listen to the history of the amazing site. Walk the grounds and take in the view of San Francisco. The gift shop was great with so many different times to buy. It was a wonderful experience and something that is highly recommended when in San Fransisco!
Links to Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Scary Alcatraz Stories: The Notoriously Haunted Island Prison (ranker.com)
Photography by Tonia Wells (VNC3-Photography)
