Alcatraz

Friday, September 9

Having bent on the repaired mainsail (great job Pineapple Sails), we set off for the Alcatraz ferry. The park service does a superb job of managing the crowds. Volunteers from the GGNRA addressed those exiting the boat with a speech orienting us to the island's history and facilities. We watched a short Discovery Channel video furthering our knowledge of the island's history, and then donned our stylish headphone sets for the complete audio tour of the prison.

Stepping outside, we discovered there is no better viewing site in the Bay for watching sailboat races, though you'll freeze your butt off in the process. Back on the ferry, we found ourselves in the middle of an Express 37 fleet (part of the Big Boat series which started the day before). We had front row spectator seats as the ferry captain steered the boat in a full 360° turn to avoid disrupting the race.

For dinner, we joined my sister Edie and husband Tom at a lovely French restaurant, Plouf, in the financial district. We dined on delicious mussels, and saluted the second anniversary of Bill and Cathy's world cruising adventures.