Today we explored the Rock. Well, we hiked an "easy" 1.7 miles to get there. 35 minutes the GPS lady says. Ya right. Good thing we were smart enough to give ourselves plenty of time. With roller coaster height hills here in windy San Fran, there is no quick route to anything. Believe it or not, though, we didn't complain at all. The weather was a cool 65° and even with sweats/jackets, we were not hot.
We took our ride over to the island and let the other 200+ visitors start their tour as a giant group. We piddled around the dock before climbing even more hills to the cellhouse. The pamphlet told us that the hill would be like walking up 13 floors and it was correct. Once into the cellhouse, we were given headphones and were allowed to take self guided tours. We probably should have listened to the whole tour, but we wanted to explore and go our own way. Incorporating the headphone tour was brilliant because there were no voices from visitors. Every creak and moan and phantom cell block door could be heard and appreciated. We camped out in cell 14D which is found on the isolation block. Many many paranormal experiences have been had here. There is ZERO doubt that heavy footsteps and cells clanging can still be heard. We were 100% alone, well, no living people were around, and we heard very clear sounds.
Loren was taking a video of an area used for a prison escape and a very large light orb flashed onto the screen. Alcatraz did not disappoint!
We were not chased by any spirits, however something more worldly did want us off the Rock. As we were walking back down the hills to the dock, I was surprised with 3 baby sea gulls chirping and walking around in some flowers. I had just learned that besides the prison, Alcatraz is also home to North America's largest group of nesting sea gulls, and now I was inches from some precious babies. I stopped to attempt to take a picture. While I was trying to get my phone out of my pocket, mama gull appeared. She started honking at me and giving me the stink eye. I thought she was just yelling at me until she started charging. She actually ducked her head, scratched her foot in the dirt, and charged. At this point I am now running and screaming. Loren was laughing at me until mama gull spots his nest, ummm...his hair...and heads straight for him. She chases as we run screaming and swinging fists/water bottles for a fair distance before returning to her brood. The island rules are to be quiet and respectful around the nests. Ya well, that didn't happen with the sea gull who should be doing time for attempted murder.
Next we made our way from pier 33 to pier 39. The thing I really wanted to do while here was farm my own pearl from a oyster. We found the store and I picked my oyster. The lady at the store lead a Hawaiian ritual that is done as each oyster is opened and out popped a beautiful gold pearl. Everyone around ewwwed and ahhhhed over my find. The lady then decided to show me ring settings for the pearl while Loren stood off to the side looking a little pale. For those of you who don't know, despite what is in the bank account, there is no one more cheap...no...frugal than Loren- except for possibly my cousin, Jen. These bands were white gold and diamonds and cost a fortune. Loren kept telling the lady that we were fine just taking the pearl. She then says as her gift to me, she wanted to buy me another oyster to try. Now, I know this is a sales gimmick, but hey. Let her give me another one! I asked Loren to choose the oyster this time and he did the ritual with the lady. They crack open the shell and the pearl I really wanted to find- a blueish silver one was inside! The lady again tried to sell us on expensive bands and Loren says no. We finally settle on a clasp for my original pearl so that it could be worn on a necklace. When the lady comes back- she has my original pearl on the clasp and my new one placed in the center of the band I really wanted. That supposedly cheap hubby of mine gave me the most wonderful surprise for our first year anniversary! Moving on from there, we stopped at a stand for some yummy shrimp and crab. We watched the sunset over the bridge and saw sea lions sitting by the water. We decided we were gonna walk home until faced with the hills. Now it was time to call Uber.
Tomorrow is our cruise around the bay and under the Golden Gate bridge, so stay tuned...
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