Friday 16 May 2008, San Francisco, CA

Playing tourists today with a trip to Alcatraz and a visit to the shopping district(s?)

Alcatraz
The Alcatraz Island trip offers a close-up look at the site of the first ever lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, which also has a natural side to ‘the Rock’ - gardens, tide pools and numerous protected bird colonies.
The tour includes an audio tour and an exhibition space both of which feature extensive collections from the island. Collections include objects made by notorious inmates, historic photographs and documents, escape materials and inmate artwork
In the 1800s American Indians prisoners were often held at the military prison on Alcatraz. In 1964, a year after the penitentiary closed, and again in 1969, Alcatraz was "liberated" by Indians of All Tribes, changing the course of U.S. history by helping to establish tribal rights of self determination. Their 18 month occupation would bring an end to the federal termination policy, saving the tribes.

Market Street
Market Street is a major thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, beginning at Embarcadero in front of the Ferry Building at the north-eastern edge of the city and running south-west through downtown, passing the Civic Center (Centre!), to the intersection with Corbett Avenue in the 'Twin Peaks' neighborhood.
Market Street is a key transit artery for the city, and has carried in turn horse-drawn streetcars, cable cars, electric streetcars, electric trolleybuses and diesel buses. Today buses, trolleybuses and heritage streetcars share the street, cable cars no longer operate on Market Street, but terminate to the side of the street at the intersections with California Street and Powell.
Long described as San Francisco's Fifth Avenue, Market Street was originally laid out in 1843 by Jasper O'Farrell, a 26-year old trained civil engineer from County Wexford, Ireland. It was described at the time as an arrow aimed straight at "Los Pechos de la Choca" (the Breasts of the Maiden), now called ‘Twin Peaks’ – almost as freaky as the Lynch movie from our experience of traversing its entire length last evening!

Data
Temperature: 91f - 102f
Miles walked: 14
Boar trip: 3miles/30mins
Time taken: 10 hours