San Francisco and The Rock
Thursday, July 24th
Leaving Sonoma, we found that we were on the El Camino Trail which runs along the highway. This historic trail which is also called the Royal Road connects the 21 Spanish Missions along the California coast. It runs for 600 miles from San Diego to Sonoma, and it is designated with large bells on posts. People take the pilgrimage which reminds them of California's past and the Spanish influence still present.
As we made our way into San Fransico, we found ourselves at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Golden Gate Recreation Area. We took about a million pictures of the stunning scenery and guess who was there taking photos?! The Vintage VW club. We told you they’d turn up again!
Before crossing the bridge, we took a quick look-see over to Sausalito where Vi did a little shopping. I stayed in the car and watched all the Barbies walking their dogs. Each dog had their own doggie buggy, so I am not so sure they were getting much exercise. Vialula and I both agree that California people are just weird. Not meant to insult anyone… just an observation.
After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, we drove into downtown San Francisco. We went up and down the hills of San Francisco, saw a trolley or two, some driverless cars and lots of row houses. LeRoy thought about leaving his heart here, but ...
Parking at Pier 33, we walked along the many piers, and mostly did some people watching until it was time to board a ferry and then made our last excursion of the trip and went over to see the prison island of Alcatraz. Cloudy and cool gave way to beautiful sunshine as we ferried over.
As you may or may not know, Alcatraz was initially set up as a fort in the mid 1850’s. Then it became a military prison from 1857 to 1933. Most notably, however, it was set up as a Federal Prison in 1934 until it was shut down in 1963. It housed the worst of the worst. You ended up there when there were no other prisons to hold you. In 1972, it became a National Park and is now a heavily visited tourist area.
It really belongs to the multitude of birds that make their home there. Brandt's cormorants, Western gulls, herons, egrets, Pigeon Guillemots, and Peregrine Falcons all nest there and to say it smells bad is an understatement. But, the flowers and the view are gorgeous!
It was very interesting to go through the old ruins. It is not somewhere that I would have enjoyed being incarcerated. But then again, why would anyone want to lock old LeRoy there anyway??
We were famished and tired after a long afternoon on "The Rock", and took a walk down to Fisherman’s Wharf in search of food!
We completed our day at the Chowder Hut, where we had some delicious seafood chowder in the famous Boudin Bakery sourdough bread bowls. Delicious end to a great day! Tomorrow, we fly home. Farewell to San Francisco.
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