How many of you have ever visited?

My grand father's sister worked as nurse and lived on the island of Alcatraz for 14 years.

There were many families that lived there.

Great Auntie Valla never married but we suspect that she had a romance with one of the inmates.

I have always wanted to see the place.

I never have visited there. I did live south of the bay area, and never knew about the tours back

then. Of if they even had them. I've seen programs on the place, and even a seance on TV

once. They claim the cells are full of spiritual activity, due to cell mates having died at the

'rock'. It seems like a very dreary place to go to. Very univiting, and foreboding in appearance.

I guess I'd prefer a more happy place to visit, than a prison. It's a good thing, they closed it

down.

I saw the place twice. Once was a regular tour with a boat crossing. Very Impressive fortress and as a prison, it must have been the all-time depressing place. San Francisco Bay coastline so close and inviting, and those cold, cold waters, so dangerous.

The 2nd time was unexpected. I was writing a paper on Urban Communes and visiting San Francisco. One of the professors I met had a twin engine seaplane and he offered to take me on a day's spin round the Bay area. We took off on the water outside Saucalito and flew down to Monterrey, around and back, over Alcatraz and back. One thing I noticed. There were long black dark shapes in the water and I asked the pilot what they were and He replied briefly, "Sharks..!" I shivered and thought that I'd never want to swim in those waters..! 1991 that was.

I love San Francisco. I have been on the fleet tours around it and out in the bay area , but did not tour Alcatraz, but I have a piece of the 'Rock' my son and daughter in -law brought back. Before the did all the beautiful restoration it was eerie, not a pretty place. Here is a darling book I read it is historical fiction, but has real facts about kids living there when their dads were guards and such. They lived on the island and took a ferry back and forth to school. Glad you met the inmate.Did you see the show last season, Alcatraz ?

http://www.amazon.com/Al-Capone-Does-My-Shirts/dp/...

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/rs1.htm

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/history.asp...

Alcatraz the show. It was counseled after first season.

http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alcatraz/319392

When I lived in S.F. I used to over there now and then. I found it a pleasant way to spend the day. Always in the summertime. I imagine it would be a little chilly in the winter.

Hope you read Thomas Gaddis' excellent "Birdman of Alcatraz," probably the best of the several available biographies of Robert Stroud.

in accordance to Monty Python he visited Minehead in the 1930's yet in conceal as a Mr.Hilter including his vacationing better half Mr.Bimmler.uncertain how precise that's yet you never comprehend.

Lynn,

It wasn't open when I was out there some 30 years ago, but I did take a boat ride around the island. It was in the summer, but it was cold out there then.

Yes in 1963

It seems to have it's own cold source and I found it truly scary. I'm not really big on the supernatural,but I could swear I felt something moving around inside those walls. I'd never do that again.

l went there on holiday with my mum back in 1978.

lt has a really strange atmosphere...whether that's just because we know its history or not, l don't know.

There were about 10 of us in the group and we were all shown one of the solitary confinement cells....in fact we were shut in for a few minutes; it really didn't do my claustrophobia much good!! lt was a relief when the bloke opened the door...it was pitch black and really oppressive.

We were all glad to get out into the sunshine again, that's for sure.