A big day started just up the road at Buena Vista Cafe, where we had breakfast with Shack, a college friend of A's who we havenb't seen in at least 15 years. This famous restaurant is home to America's first Irish Coffee back in 1932. Of course A & Shack indulged. A hearty breakfast for a big day ahead.
After breakfast Shack drove us to a couple of spots in San Francisco. We stopped at the Fort Point National Historic Site, under the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, and he took us through the Presidio neighborhood, where he used to live, and eventually dropped us off at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Was great to catch up with Shack, and we'll see him again on Friday when we head out to his place.
Shack,ML&B, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
At the de Young we toured the Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm exhibit. This was great. Paul took many photos during his days as a Beatle, and there were as many photos of fans going crazy as there were of members of the band and friends just hanging out in the US. Black & white pictures in the wintery north of the country to bright and vibrant color pictures as they moved the tour into Florida.
Paul McCartney Exhibit, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
We were cut short for time at the museum, so didn't get to see any of the other exhibits. We caught an Uber back to the hotel to pick up some warmer clothes (thankfully). Lunch was at the In n' Out right by the hotel - after the longest wait ever in a fast food restaurant - not through inefficiency, but sheer volume.
A half mile later we were at Pier 33, ready to head out for an afternoon on Alcatraz. This is my 3rd trip here, and the first time in 20 years. WHile ther was a familiarity with the place, there was a lot of new stuff to see, and share with the boys seeing the place for the first time. The tour starts in the shower room, before getting into the main accommodations of the place. I know it hasn't been used as a prison in over 60 years, but this place is bleak. I can't imagine how bad it was as a prison in the 50s and 60s. And cold - sheesh! That wind howls through there. The wind noise and temperature would have been a nightmare stuck in a prison cell. The audio tour takes your through the different levels of incarceration in the building and what the inmates did for dining and entertainment. And the story of an unsuccessful uprising. The tour is narrated by one time inmates and guards. On the way out I bought a book, Alcatraz From Inside by one of the narrators, former prisoner Jim Quillen. We went out to the Industries Building, on the north western side of the island. I had not been here on previous trips, but now it was filled with an exhibit from when Native Americans reclaimed the island in 1969 and occupied it for 19 months. A really interesting, politically charged protest saw Native Americans raise awareness to the plight of their people and the issue of stolen land, especially sacred sights. The final part of the island has a small exhibit talking about incarcerations in today's world. Plenty of statistics shared did not paint a promising picture for America, who seem to have high numbers and percentages of people in jails or prisons throughout the country.
Alcatraz, San Francisco, CA
L. Alcatraz, San Francisco, CA
DBM&L, Alcatraz, San Francisco, CA
We were on the island for close to 4 hours, and on the ferry back, the crowd was gifted with the sighting of a whale in the bay, much to the delight of everyone. Once off the boat, we walked some to the Embarcadero, before heading to China Live for dinner. This was a place recommended by the hotel, and one we'd seen yesterday while walking around. This is a great restaurant concept. A vast dining room intertwined with a gift store. Different open kitchen cooking areas and a robot delivering food to tables and to go orders to the front to the restaurant. Visually it was almost over stimulating. But nothing in comparison to the food. It was amazing. We ordered smaller dishes to try different things, and we just couldn't stop. We definitely needed the mile walk back to the hotel afterwards, just to digest the best meal I've had in ages.
DBL&M, China Live, San Francisco, CA
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