Day 4 Begins

We started this morning by heading into Union Square where we were originally going to eat at Sears Fine Foods, a San Francisco "Institution" that specializes in half dollar sized pancakes, however we got scared away by the price. Sadly the place we went was just as expensive, mediocre, and sort of lacking character. From the outside it fooled us into thinking that it may have been an older time honored establishment, but sadly it was all just a mask for essentially an over priced chain style restaurant. Lori's Diner is as prefab as you get and you are essentially paying for the location. Our booth had one of those little jukeboxes, but it did not work. Walls are adorned with 1950s memorabilia and there was an arcade in the back for the kiddies. It would have been quite at home in a Six Flags. I found a review online after the fact calling it a "total tourist trap". Well it did trap us, but only because we were in a rush- for no reason it turns out.

We got on the F line to head towards our next attraction. The F line is composed of different old electric trolleys from all over the world. This one was from Melbourne, Australia.

Alcatraz was what all of the rushing and anxiety was about. We were misled to believe we needed to be at the wharf where it leaves an hour early. We made it on time with much to spare, and I was a little grumpy about it to say the least. It was warm in the sun and it essentially felt like an amusement park. Check out the logo above- it reminds me of the logo used in the Jurassic Park movie. This is a government run National Park, however there is no question that they have totally sold out. A long snaking line, expensive snacks, and an offer for people to take a fake Alcatraz picture of you and your loved ones. They take them, and then have them up on the wall when you leave- just like when you exit a roller coaster at Bush Gardens. Pretty sad really.

Upon landing on the island this is the first foreboding site you see, one of the older buildings which dates back to the end of the civil war. To be continued.