I’d been to Alcatraz before but the memory is vague. It was sometime after 1996 when APS film came out. I had a Kodak Advantix pocket camera that could switch between Classic, HD (16:9) and Panoramic formats.
I can envision a panoramic photo of Alacatraz Island from the ferry, buried in a stack of bins in the basement. I’m going to save myself 5 hours and just say it looked like the image below, but probably sunnier.
We decided to go on the tour over breakfast as there was a gap in rain. Picked up tickets at the dock of the ferry building and boarded the boat minutes after. (We think the weather helped in this regard.)
The experience lined up with my vague memory: headphones with a well produced audio tour and opportunities for better wayfinding signage.
The main difference was a special exhibit about the American Indian Occupation of the island from 1969-71. The National Parks site has more info and a virtual exhibition.
I was unsure of returning here 30 years later, but felt better equipped to understand the weight of this place. Alcatraz holds such a large presence in culture, but the space the prison occupies is relatively small. Through the tour it becomes very clear that it was an awful, unsustainable endeavor.
I’d go back again. Next time to see the gardens in full bloom.
Your pictures are incredible! I had no idea about the gardens at Alcatraz—that’s so fascinating. I love learning new things like this.
You’re too kind re: photos. I looked around the website and I don’t see specific tours for the gardens, but if I lived in the Bay Area I could see myself wanting to volunteer there!