California - Chandler Tree

 When driving through the mighty Redwoods of California you have to drive through at least one tree.  When we entered and paid our money I asked if our car would be able to get through and she assured me that a suburban had made it through.  We aren't as big as a suburban but there wasn't a lot of daylight between my mirrors and the sides of the tree.  Made it through without leaving any paint behind. 

The person who carved these tree stumps into art work had some serious skills. 

What's a visit to San Francisco without going to Chinatown.  Up next. 

California - San Francisco - Battery Spencer

A few shots from some of the lookouts overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

The fence in the foreground is full of "lovelocks" placed there by lovers to symbolize their unbreakable love.

Battery Spencer was a military installation put in place to protect from a possible attack from Confederate forces during the civil war. 

A great view of the non-stop traffic coming across the bridge.  The Golden Gate Bridge is a toll bridge but you only pay on the way into San Francisco.  A license plate scanner records your plate number and you have a few days to make payment.  I phoned their office and was pleased to find out that out of country plates are exempt.  

 

California - Avenue of the Giants

On our drive from Crescent City to Santa Rosa we took a little detour off the main highway and drove through the Avenue of the Giants which took us through Humbolt Redwoods State Park.

A truly beautiful drive.  We took a few walks into the trees and and within a few hundred feet we felt like we had been transported back in time.  The silence was eerie and at the same time very peaceful.  Quite the change from the rat race that is San Francisco that was but 2 days away.  

We drove through a small town and were greeted by some locals waiting for a break in traffic to take the school crossing across the road.  Had to be about 25 of them.

Just think of what was happening when this tree was a sapling. 

Just one more tree of note.  

Lighting strikes and resulting fires have hollowed this tree out but it is still growing.

That's one massive root ball.

 More northern California coming up

California - Alcatraz

 We took a ferry out to Alcatraz, the infamous island prison in the Bay.  Time, wind, rain and the salt spray has certainly taken its toll on the buildings and many look like they are one good storm away from collapsing.  

Many famous prisoners spent time in Alcatraz including: Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Robert Stroud (aka Birdman of Alcatraz), James "Whitey" Burger, Mickey Cohen among many others.  Perhaps it's the thriving movie industry in the USA but one of the distinctions between US and Canadian culture is the Americans celebration of and creation of a mythic lore around its most violent criminals.  Try as I might I can't come up with one Canadian equivalent although I'm sure there are some.   Louis Riel is the closest I can come and that brings up a huge debate which I have neither the time or knowledge to get into here.  

Alcatraz operated from 1934-1963, 29 years. 36 men tried to escape in 14 different attempts.  23 were captured, 6 were killed and 2 were drowned.  There are also 5 who went missing and were presumed drowned.  There is a story that at least 2 of those missing actually did make it to land and succeeded in disappearing and starting a new life.

It is a neat place to visit given its history although a bit depressing.  

The ride out in a ferry

View of a freighter coming in under the Golden Gate Bridge. 

A look back at the San Francisco skyline and the Bay bridge. 

Our welcoming committee.

Remnants of a 19 month Indian occupation of the island from 1969-1971. 

Evidence that the island started out as a military fortification 

Above, one of the many rows of cells.  Below one of the prisoner cells.  Just slightly smaller than our room at the Medicine Hat Quality Inn. 

Exercise yard

 Cells with a view.

The days before conjugal visits. 

At least they ate well.

Can't say they weren't warned. 

Next up the Avenue of the Giants.