Mother's Day
Sunday was Mother's Day which Lou woke up to a room of presents from the girls. We left early and had breakfast on Chestnut St. Before driving across To Chrissy Field, part of the parkland strip that stretches along the bay. We walked the length of Chrissy Field along the Bay into the Presidio, to Fort Point (probably about a 4 km walk ) which sits just below the Golden Gate Bridge.
We climbed the 3 storeys and fired our cannons across the bay, before walking back along the Park to have a delicious hot dog. Hundreds of people, families having picnics and BBQs. The weather was sensational warm and clear despite the breeze. Lots of dogs, especially one black pug that took a shine to the girls.
Lou has also now started driving, and she drove us back to Union Square, exploring in turn areas of the city, coming across a much needed Chinese Laundry.
I should note there seems to be a national hierarchy of laundry or cleaning services. French Cleaning, followed by American and then Other nationalities. We were simply happy to find a Laundromat open on a Sunday, even if it was on the rough side of town.
Quiet night in
Alcatraz
Monday Morning we have arranged an early morning excursion to Alcatraz. Missing our 8:30 trolley bus we pile into a taxi and have breakfast at Pier 39 before boarding the ferry to Alcatraz.
We were all rugged up, however the wind and weather has been incredibly benign. Things have changed the island no longer has large bottomed Rangers in Bell Bottom trousers that guide you through Broadway, Michigan Ave and the Recreation Yard. Instead all new arrivals to the"Rock" are greeted by tanned and fit Rangers, who I suspect are loan from Disneyland animitronics department, as the don't move. Your Guide is an audio headset that has the collective effect of herding tourists around specific cells. As the voices of inmates and wardens past recount the Battle of Alcatraz in 1946, and the famous 1962 "escape from Alcatraz".
Chelsea was mesmerised by the eeriness of the Rock. She was particularly nervous looking in the old mortuary, haunted by by the ghost of Nicholas Cages film career. However it walking from reception into the cell blocks, but was the escape that really interested her. From the chilsing holes with spoons, scaling the three storeys to roof, but she was particularly taken with the paper mache heads stuck with real hair from the prison barber shop.
Which we should note we now claim a prize for tackiest souvenir. We have in our possession a set of three paper mache head fridge magnets based on those used in the 1962 escape.
Scarlett simply enjoyed running amuck within the prison.
By 1pm we were all pardoned for Good Behavior, and to celebrate our release we had lunch at Bubba Gumps Shrimp house.
Made famous by Lieutenant Dan and Forrest Gump this Restaurant that serves, Shrimp, Shrimp and More Shrimp is a shrine to the memory of "Jennay".
Chelsea was given a Bubba Gumps Birthday song by all the waiting staff, much to her embarrassment. Who organised that.
Another quite night in....
Sunday was Mother's Day which Lou woke up to a room of presents from the girls. We left early and had breakfast on Chestnut St. Before driving across To Chrissy Field, part of the parkland strip that stretches along the bay. We walked the length of Chrissy Field along the Bay into the Presidio, to Fort Point (probably about a 4 km walk ) which sits just below the Golden Gate Bridge.
We climbed the 3 storeys and fired our cannons across the bay, before walking back along the Park to have a delicious hot dog. Hundreds of people, families having picnics and BBQs. The weather was sensational warm and clear despite the breeze. Lots of dogs, especially one black pug that took a shine to the girls.
Lou has also now started driving, and she drove us back to Union Square, exploring in turn areas of the city, coming across a much needed Chinese Laundry.
I should note there seems to be a national hierarchy of laundry or cleaning services. French Cleaning, followed by American and then Other nationalities. We were simply happy to find a Laundromat open on a Sunday, even if it was on the rough side of town.
Quiet night in
Alcatraz
Monday Morning we have arranged an early morning excursion to Alcatraz. Missing our 8:30 trolley bus we pile into a taxi and have breakfast at Pier 39 before boarding the ferry to Alcatraz.
We were all rugged up, however the wind and weather has been incredibly benign. Things have changed the island no longer has large bottomed Rangers in Bell Bottom trousers that guide you through Broadway, Michigan Ave and the Recreation Yard. Instead all new arrivals to the"Rock" are greeted by tanned and fit Rangers, who I suspect are loan from Disneyland animitronics department, as the don't move. Your Guide is an audio headset that has the collective effect of herding tourists around specific cells. As the voices of inmates and wardens past recount the Battle of Alcatraz in 1946, and the famous 1962 "escape from Alcatraz".
Chelsea was mesmerised by the eeriness of the Rock. She was particularly nervous looking in the old mortuary, haunted by by the ghost of Nicholas Cages film career. However it walking from reception into the cell blocks, but was the escape that really interested her. From the chilsing holes with spoons, scaling the three storeys to roof, but she was particularly taken with the paper mache heads stuck with real hair from the prison barber shop.
Which we should note we now claim a prize for tackiest souvenir. We have in our possession a set of three paper mache head fridge magnets based on those used in the 1962 escape.
Scarlett simply enjoyed running amuck within the prison.
By 1pm we were all pardoned for Good Behavior, and to celebrate our release we had lunch at Bubba Gumps Shrimp house.
Made famous by Lieutenant Dan and Forrest Gump this Restaurant that serves, Shrimp, Shrimp and More Shrimp is a shrine to the memory of "Jennay".
Chelsea was given a Bubba Gumps Birthday song by all the waiting staff, much to her embarrassment. Who organised that.
Another quite night in....
Happy Birthday Chelsea and remember "life is like a box of Chocolates....". Your Dvd of escape from alcatraz will be waiting for you upon your return....
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