Alcatraz

Mom and Dad told me that they were going to visit a famous prison today off the coast of San Francisco. I decided that I would whether just hang out here. When they got home, they told me all about their adventure.

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the big city.

Crowded as usual.

With transportation always an issue.

Once Mom and Dad reached Fisherman's Wharf by foot, they wanted a nice, relaxing lunch. They decided to eat at a well known restaurant in the area.

They enjoyed the food and these views.

After encountering some interesting street performers, they could see Alcatraz in the distance.

Mom and Dad boarded a boat and off they went to see this famous prison.

The sea was rough with a current averaging anywhere from 4-8 mph. It is a good thing that Alcatraz is only 1 1/4 mile away from the city of San Francisco.

They were surprised at all of the vegetation and birds on the deserted island.

This is the sign that greets you when you arrive. Shortly, after the prison closed in 1963, Indians occupied the island.

Unusual flowers for an unusual place.

This is the main prison building - three floors of prison cells.

Scary! I am glad that I did not go.

Above is a picture of your typical cell at Alcatraz. When the prisoners arrived, they were issued a cot, towels, and a pamphlet explaining the rules.

If you did not obey the rules, then you stayed in these cells referred to as "the hole". Typical punishment was complete darkness for several days, but never more than 19.

Depending on the wind, sometimes prisoners could hear laughing and music from the city.

I would imagine that anyone would want to escape from Alcatraz. Several tried but only three were unaccounted for. They all participated in the same breakout by putting dummy heads in their beds and digging their way out of their cells with metal spoons. No one knows if they survived the freezing water and made it to land.

The views were breathtaking - literally because it was SO COLD!

Mom and Dad talked about how cold and windy is was on the island.

Wouldn't you hate to have the freezing, lonely job being positioned at the guard tower, especially at night?

After a long day, Mom and Dad boarded the boat and headed back home. Hearing about visiting a place like Alcatraz makes you appreciate the freedoms that we have and take for granted daily.

Bedtime Stories

Every night I hear Mom go on and on about how she is enjoying seeing the beautiful flowers. She has been saying that she can't believe how large the geraniums are here. Just to put things in perspective, the red container on the right of the picture below is a full size trash can!

Everything is getting watered and growing.



In the picture below, I think, is an irrigation system. But, I am a city dog and need all of you farmers out there to enlighten me.

In the background of this picture, the sprinklers are going full blast. My cousin, Louie, would have a hay day attacking these sprinklers! (F.Y.I. He bites sprinkler heads until they break, costing my aunt and uncle a pretty penny.)

Speaking of hay, isn't it pretty sitting out in the open fields? I, personally, think the round bails are prettier, but I guess they would not stack as easily for storage. Who needs a barn when you can just make one (or two) out of hay bails?

Instead of hearing about fairies and princesses living in castles, I hear about flowers and farmland at bedtime.

I hope that your Mom tells you more interesting stories than mine.

Sweet dreams!

Picnic Day

Yesterday was a beautiful day with no cloud in the sky and ninety degree weather (in the afternoon). What a wonderful day to enjoy the outdoors!

Since Dad went to school, Mom and I decided we would go to Picnic Day at a local University. It is basically an open house for the college as a way to attract future students/parents, get the current students involved, and an excuse for alumni to get together. Overall, it was a lot of fun with tons to see and do. There was a petting zoo, in which I became a part of. The parents kept reminding the children to pet the animals inside the fence instead of me.

These cows were about as amused as I was. But, laying around was better than having to work on a Saturday. These border collies herded sheep all day long into this catch pen. I, too, tried to run after the sheep, but Mom would not let me.



These dogs were practicing jumping over these hurdles. I was not too impressed because I could definitely clear those hurdles without a problem. However, I was impressed that they would run up this machine and press a button for a tennis ball and then bring the ball back to their owner. That I will not do.

These border collies were lots of fun to watch and quick too. So fast that Mom could not take the picture fast enough. They would jump up and catch Frisbees in the air and were pretty accurate for the most part.

These terriers reminded me of my lure coursing days as they raced to catch the artificial lure. I, too, tried to catch the squirrel-like thing as it passed me, which is why is picture is blurry. Sorry, old habits die hard.

We saw lots of dogs, some competing and some observing. I know that this one was embarrassed to wear this muzzle after running his race.

But, not as embarrassed as this little girl, whose owners painted her eyebrows for the occasion. I hope that this did not give Mom any ideas!

There were lots of kids there too, which are always fun to watch. I wish that Harrison could have came. He is not quite old enough to slide down the hill of snow but he sure would enjoy eating it.

Also, there were tons of Dachshunds because they had races too. We were not able to see them because it was a building and there were long lines. I wonder if Lauren's mom's dogs, Stormy and Elvis, have ever raced - maybe to get to the hot dog or cupcake first.

The heat, the walking and all of the festivities wore me out.

I bet not many dogs can sleep comfortably with their hind legs under their noses. That can be my talent.

First Time in San Francisco

Mom and Dad went to San Francisco without me. They were planning to let me go until they were informed by the locals that the best way to enter the city is via subway, which no dogs are allowed. So, they told me all about their trip when they got back.

When they got off the subway, they quickly realized that the locals were right. Would you want to drive down this street? I don't think so. No hard feelings. I completely understand.

Here's Mom enjoying the flowers. These angel trumpets are not nearly as pretty as Maria's but everyone was enjoying them anyway at Union Square.


This is another picture of Union Square. Mom wanted to go into Tiffany's but Dad said that they did not have any business to enter that store.

Then, they walked to Chinatown. Here, they felt very out of place and no one spoke English.

Notice the streets again. Dad got honked at by a Chinese gentleman because he thought that Dad was too close to the street.

This is one of the many markets at Chinatown. It was extremely crowded in Chinatown although this picture does not show the mobs of people present.

From Chinatown, they walked to Washington Square which was a much more relaxed atmosphere. Everyone was enjoying the sunshine and taking it easy.

They walked to Telegraph Hill (which was a climb) and saw Coit Tower.

Here, they enjoyed looking down on the crowded city.

And saw Alcatraz off in the distance.

Along with the Golden Gate Bridge

Then Mom and Dad went to Fisherman's Wharf by bus. They saw sea lions sunbathing and bickering amongst themselves.

This picture was taken by the shops along Pier 39. Do you see Coit Tower?

They enjoyed looking at all of the boats along the piers in Fisherman's Wharf. My grandmother would not have liked it because there were seagulls everywhere, even on people's cars and leaving their mess behind them. It is a good thing that Dad did not drive.

Mom and Dad rode the trolley back to the subway.

At the end of the street, they watched the workers turn the trolley cars around using this wheel.

On the way back, they saw Lumbar Street. How would you like to drive up and down it everyday? I hope those cars have good brakes.

Since they were worn out from a busy day, they took it easy on Easter, learning from the sea lions.

I hope that everyone had a restful, peaceful Easter!