We finally made it to Alcatraz!

Jon, Sheree, Joanna, Katelynn, Carson, Paul and Nate at the end of a long day touring Alcatraz and San Francisco.

Katelynn enjoying the boatride back to the city, letting the wind blow through her hair.

Carson showing us that we have arrived.

For those of you who have ever gone to San Francisco on vacation and were unable to visit Alcatraz...we understand. Paul and I have made several trips to San Francisco over the years of our relationship, but due to timing constraints or sell-outs, we were never able to make it to "The Rock." My loving husband was always willing to hand me a quarter so that I could check out the island from the viewfinder. Thanks a lot. So, when our friends Jon & Sheree were coming to town, we planned ahead, started researching our trip and bought our tickets several days in advance. Of course the trip would have been a bit easier a few years ago before we had to carry a diaper bag and two kids on a boat, and up the hills of this previous penitentary. We would have been able to listen to the headphone guided tour, if we were not tending to a toddler and hungry, tired baby. At least most of the tourists were wearing headphones and did not seem to mind the echoed screams of Katelynn as she fought falling asleep. Finally, Katelynn fell asleep and Carson got tired of running though the cell blocks,so I was able to hear a bit of the tour and history of the island. It was a beautiful and clear day (somewhat rare for SF) and we enjoyed the city views of San Francisco from Alcatraz. It was tiring, but a lot of fun to spend the day in the city with our friends.