Hurry means that we gather impressions but have no experiences, that we collect acquaintances but make no friends, that we attend meetings but experience no encounter. We must recover eternity if we are to find time, and eternity is what Jesus came to restore. For without it, there can be no charity.
— D.T. Niles, Warrack Lectures, 1958
Kristen and I had an amazing meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant in San Francisco. I had the Shrimp New Orleans, which was the best shrimp I’ve had since eating at Brennan’s in New Orleans. Kristen had a great shrimp dish as well. It came in a bucket of a tasty broth to dip french bread in. Mmmm…. I’m getting hungry just remembering!
Jeff and Kristen at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant
Kristen and I visited Alcatraz Island last weekend while we were in San Francisco. I visited the site about fifteen years ago as a Junior High School student, but Kristen had never been.
If you haven’t heard of Alcatraz, it is an island just a little over a mile from land in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. It was a military camp at one time, and later used as a prison for high risk prisoners such as Al Capone. The creepy part is that you can see the island very clearly from the various wharfs and piers that jut out into the bay.
Alcatraz Island as Seen From Pier 41
The only way to tour the island is to take a tour boat (tickets were maybe $15 per person). Once on the island, there are guided tours, and a self-guided tour with a walkman that explains the various parts of the island in the words of guards and former inmates. We took the self-guided audio tour, and spent about two hours on the island.
Travelling to Alcatraz Island by Boat
As the boat pulled up to the island, a few things become evident. First, the sign forbidding aiding criminals from escaping.
Don’t Help Prisoners Escape!
Second, the fortress like quality of the buildings. The first picture is a view of the island as we drew closer — the building on the left is the actual prison. The second picture is a building that was primarily used as a military defense building and included bays for cannons that defended the bay from enemies. Later this building was used as living quarters for the staff and guards that managed the island.
Drawing Close to Alcatraz Island
Military Fortress on Alcatraz Island
Third, we noticed how “near” the city appeared - and thought how hard it must have been to know that the free world was moving on without you if you were a prisoner on this island. In the audio tour, a few of the prisoners remarked that they could hear the parties from time to time, and especially heard the revelry on New Year’s Eve.
View of the City of San Francisco from Alcatraz Island
Once inside the actual Alcatraz Federal Prison, I was amazed at how small the cells were, and how much time the prisoners had to spend in their cells. If a prisoner was on good behavior, they would spend 18 hours of each day in their cells. If they weren’t on their best behavior, they’d spend 23 hours in their cells. The really difficult prisoners would spend 24 hours a day in solitary confinement.
A Typical Prison Cell at Alcatraz Island
A Solitary Confinement Cell at Alcatraz Island
The solitary confinement cells were the same size as the standard prison cells, but had an extra door that would block all light into the cell. I stood inside one of the cells, and was amazed at how dark it really was. If I had been forced to spend a few days like that, I’m quite sure I’d never act up again! But I guess that’s the point, isn’t it?
Overall, the visit to Alcatraz Island was very interesting. I’d highly recommend you take the time to visit the island when you are next in the San Francisco area.
Passage to the Prison Basement
Passage to the Prison Basement
Cell Block as Seen From the Recreation Yard
Golden Gate Bridge and Recreation Yard
Leaving Alcatraz Island