The Rock

This summer Thomas and I read two books by Gennifer Choldenko, Al Capone Does My Shirts and Al Capone Shines My Shoes. (Thanks for the suggestion Peggy). Great little books, we both enjoyed them a lot. In the past I have paid more attention to the stories of the famous prisoners of Alcatraz than I have to the guards, wardens and their families who also lived on the island. These books peaked my interest in the civilian community on the island and their day to day lives there. It had been 20 years since Matt & I visited Alcatraz and so it was fun to take the kids and go for a day.

It does seem weird to put on sweatshirts in August, but the City almost always has fog in the summer. It actually feels good to cool off.

I believe Doug has the TransAmerica building in the palm his hand.

Inside Building 64 where the families of employees lived in apartments. I cannot imagine how cold and wet it must have been.

Al Capone lived here.

I wonder if humiliation meant anything to these criminals. No privacy - ever. Well, except in solitary confinement.

In the bookstore, visiting with a former guard of Alcatraz.

The recreation yard.

The warden's home, destroyed by fire in the 70's.

We also celebrated our anniversary - 24 years.