Denise's Visit, Part IV: Coit Tower

Remember that photo I shot of Coit Tower after Denise and I went to Alcatraz? No? Here’s a reminder:

Well, one day Denise met up with me after work and we decided to walk up the hundreds of steps to the top.

It was really a nice walk up.

All the houses had gorgeous gardens.

There's a tiger in this garden!

Bee boxes!

There was a statue at the top. I thought it was one of the explorers who discovered the bay Gaspar de Portolà or Juan de Ayala.

But it wasn’t. It was Christopher Columbus. I have no idea why Columbus is up here. It makes no sense to me; the man never even saw this part of the Americas! Why is he up here at Coit Tower???

AND WHY DOES HE LOOKS SO BEEFY? And why is his tunic so sheer?? This whole thing disturbs me.

At least the views from there were amazing. We couldn’t go up the steps because it was closed, but it was at least an adventure getting there!

Denise's Visit, Part III: Muir Woods

Muir Woods is pretty much my most favorite place that I’ve seen so far in California. I realize I have a lot more to see and that there are a lot better places to go to, but this place has accommodations for every type of tourist or Cali resident: Tourist place, short hikes, long hikes, German beer gardens, beaches, camping, road trips. It really is the perfect place to take a visiting friend!

We had to park on the edge of a cliff…and decided to toy with luck and walk along the edge too. But the views were worth it!

We decided to start at the top and hike our way down.

I’ve been there so many times that I didn’t take too many photos. That means that’s all for this post, too! ON TO THE NEXT ONE!

Denise's Visit - Part II: Food and Travel

We were so hungry after Alcatraz that we couldn’t think of anything else. So we hit up Ghirardelli Square!

Then took a trip on the cable car!

Then we missed our stop, took it all the way to the end of the line because the guy never gave me my change back, took the street car in the wrong direction, picked up a cab, and locked the rental car in the parking garage. Worst end to a day ever. Our hike at Muir Woods the next day made up for it, but that’s for another time.

Denise Comes to Visit – Part I: Alcatraz

It’s been a long time since Denise came out to visit me and I’m finally just getting around to posting pictures! I have a lot to catch up on, let’s get started!

We had to hop a ferry from Pier 39. Interesting fact: the company that does the Alcatraz tours is in the same office building in which I work! I get to look out over Alcatraz all day and see the giant cruise ships docked at Pier 39.

The ferry ride out. I absolutely love the Bay Bridge and snapping shots of it. The two sides fascinate me. There are two halves: William L. Brown Bridge (named after the former mayor of SF) and the New Bridge…which is nameless, but GORGEOUS. You can also see them taking about the old bridge.

Fun fact about the Oakland half of the bridge: The old bridge must be taken apart in the exact order it was built to avoid it collapsing into the Bay. The deconstruction was almost halted because the cormorants, a type of sea bird, are nesting there and the eco-friendly atmosphere of the Bay Area does not want the demolition to harm them.

Oh, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge! 

ok, now on to Alcatraz!

 A few years ago, a Native American group occupied the island in protest of the stealing of Indian lands. They left some messages.

They’re doing all kinds of amazing conservation projects and seismic stabilization projects!

Oh, and don’t forget the importance of the environmental conversion and preservation!

It was supremely windy…and chilly.

Bathhouse

People love sailing in the Bay Area

The main prison!

This is where all the famous prisoners were held (Al Capone among them) – a smaller holding area with cells for solitary.

I love the paint layers…also, those are bullet holes from a prison riot.

There was a library

Visiting area

The officers really had some nice luxuries…until riots broke out.

I loved the views from the prison. I wonder how much pain it brought the prisoners to see the beauty all around them and see the city and hear all the happenings but not be able to be a part of it.

The activity area

omg, did I capture some ghosts on my camera??

The dining area

Some of the prisoners were assigned to work in the kitchens. The officers outlined all the cutlery so they would know if anything went missing! 

Again, I was fascinated by the habitation layers you could see in the prison: evidenced in the floors and paint.

I pretty much gave up on the audio tour at this point and just started doing my own thing.

Gross, what’s this white shit?

Oh, it’s…bird shit. Gross.

These things made the scariest sounds and I could NOT figure out what they were or where they were. It really creeped me out until I found the sign.

Coming home, I thought I’d get a nice shot of Coit Tower.

Well that’s the end of Part I! We did much more that day, but this post is already long enough. Check back next time!