San Francisco - Part 2

After our day trip to San Francisco with the tour guide handling the traffic and narrow streets, we were ready to go for it on our own. We had scoped out parking lots near the departing pier for Alcatraz tours and also knew how the toll worked on the Golden Gate Bridge. Did you know that all approaches to the peninsula that is home to S.F. are tolled (either by bridge or ferry)? The good news is that the toll is only paid one way, so you don't have to scramble for money in both directions. We paid $6 to cross the Golden Gate and wouldn't have had to pay any if we were arriving during peak hour, as we had more than 3 occupants in the vehicle. We didn't know about the peak hour bargain, but it wouldn't have been worth it for us! No need to mix it up with daily commuters if you don't have to! Still influenced by our transportation background, we couldn't help but notice that even with the bleak economic picture - even in California, we were surrounded by vehicles with single occupants. The hours for using the HOV lane on the approach into the city were still in effect, so we buzzed right past the late commuters that were hung up in a pretty lengthy area of stop-and-go conditions. Nice!

Foggy conditions made the bridge barely viseable on the approach, so we were happy to have captured our photos the previous day. We had no trouble finding a parking lot that was almost vacant upon our arrival. We later noticed that it probably was vacant because it was at least $5 more expensive than others in the area! Oh well, with our lengthy dually, we barely squeezed into a marked space and were happy to do so with vacant spots on either side. The lot was completely packed when we returned, so we felt better about our extra $5 investment!

We then all learned how to move around a busy city with public transportation. We rode city buses all day and learned how to make note of route numbers and stops. Bus fares were $1.50 for adults, $0.50 per child/student and were good for 90 minutes, including all buses and electric street cars. Cable cars require a different fare ($5.00 per rider one-way). The electric street cars were interesting, as no two were alike. San Francisco has accumulated a collection from all over the world and they all bear their original markings.

The first stop was an area where several foreign automobile distributors were concentrated. All the boys (young and old) had spied these dealerships from the guided tour. The boys have been playing a video game, "Need for Speed", back in the RV that features exotic sports cars so we were on the lookout for these kinds of cars. We looked through the window at the Bentley, Lotus and Lamborghini dealership. They had a Lamborghini on display for $ 450,000.00 but, entry into the dealership was by appointment only. We then walked down to British Motors where the prices and entry requirements were more reasonable. As we strolled around the new and pre-owned Jaguars, there were sparkles in the boys' wide eyes and many exclamations of "cool"!

We then trekked to catch a streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf. We all wanted to sample clam chowder in a sourdough bowl! We mistakenly decided to walk a number of blocks rather than wait for a bus on one connection. The walk was through a very deteriorated area of the city and we walked more than briskly with the boys in tow. While eye-opening to see a more complete picture of a larger urban area with destitute inhabitants as well as the shiny centerpieces of the landmarks, it was a bit treacherous. By God's grace, we met no harm - but we won't make that mistake again! We were able to talk to the boys about street missionaries and ministries that venture into these areas to share the gospel and real assistance to those in need. We sometimes tend to think that 3rd world countries need gospel messages more than our own back yard - but not so!

As we arrived at Fisherman's Wharf, we had a very non-traditional tourist stop. Unbeknownst to Linda, the boys had watched a Discovery channel presentation on, of all things, toilets! Cory had spied a public toilet on the day before and had unsuccessfully lobbied to see how it functioned. The protests came from Linda and the argument was won on the basis of limited time availability with the tour group schedule. On this day, Cory and Sean won out and waited their turn to see the self-sanitizing public toilet that supposedly cleans itself between each user.

Linda did not tour the facility.

Boudin's is a restaurant/bakery that is reputed to have started it all with the sourdough baked goods. We'll never know, but we were more than content with our sampling. Ghiradelli's was another 'must' of our list of things to do - more of a priority for some of us (Linda) than others. Since Linda had dutifully complied with other's wishes on the visit to the public toilet, she was due some consideration!We walked several city blocks to find Ghiradelli Square and happily consumed the free sample offered at the chocolate shoppe. The complex is very impressive and arhitecturally striking. We purchased some edible souvenirs and made our way back to the street cars along Fisherman's Wharf. A store identified as 'International Spy Shop' was too tempting to resist. The boys loved looking through the imitation and functional gadgetry, weapons, James Bond posters and what not's. No one found anything worth prying open their wallets to purchase, so off we went to the bus stop.

We arrived at the Alcatraz landing with time to spare, so we enjoyed sitting, people and car watching until time to board the ferry for our tour. We lined up, boarded and staked out spots on the front of the boat for the ride. Although bundled up, we still were shivering on the windy, cloudy ride over and were glad that it was pretty short! The 'cruise' doesn't provide any information or anything other than provide access to the island.

Craig was the only one of our group that had seen Alcatraz before, and it was before the public was allowed access to the island. The first thing we all noticed was that it was so very cold! With the cloudy conditions and fog, it sent all kinds of chills due to the weather before hearing some of the very sobering details of criminals that were held in the facility at one time. The less well known military history was very enlightening and explains some of the structural features of the various buildings. We moved quickly to get to an area protected from the wind and begin the tour. We first watched a video that provided an overview of the facility's history and previous inhabitants, then made our way to the cell block for the audio guided tour.

The tour was heavily peppered with first-hand accounts from guards and prisoners. Apparent in all the testimonials was the fact that punitive actions were all privilege based. Guards were equipped with billy clubs, but only for containment purposes. Several regulations were frequently posted, with Rule#5 being the most prominent.

"PRIVILEGES: You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. Anything else that you get is a privilege. You earn your privileges by conducting yourself properly. 'Good Standing' is a term applied to inmates who have a good conduct record and a good work record and who are not undergoing disciplinary restrictions."

Hmmm...maybe we can incorporate these in parenting!

We made sure to actually enter several of the typical cells and Craig noted that they were identical dimensions to the bunkhouse in our 5th wheel. We also all volunteered to enter the 'treatment unit cell'. The primary difference in the cell was the complete absence of light. A NPS ranger allowed several visitors at a time to enter the cell, then closed the door for probably less than one minute. That was long enough for all in our group to return to the lighted hallway. Tons of lessons are available in that experience, including all the Biblical references to 'the Light'! Even with our brief exposure to what seemed total darkness, we felt the isolation that surely was impressed upon the prisoner that was placed in that cell without the opportunity to leave of his own choosing! As confining as the regular cells were due to their size, the openness to the hallway and light seemed luxurious in contrast to the isolation cell.

Some of the prisoner accounts mentioned being able to see and to hear the sounds of the city of S.F. The city is only one mile away and it's easy to imagine how the sounds could easily bridge the gap over that icy, turbulent water to the ears of the prisoners. How the prisoners yearned to be able to fully participate in a life within civilization!

A little introspection here ..

How many of us have felt imprisoned - but not by physical bars? We so often make choices in our human self that make us so miserable. We are just as separated from true vitality and light as those prisoners on Alcatraz were separated from the vibrant and inviting city across the bay. Unlike the prisoners, that light and vitality is so accessible in a life with Jesus!

I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life Jn 8:12

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me Jn 14:6

We live forever grateful to our Redeemer and the fullness of life that we have by God's amazing grace!