Category: California

Alcatraz Penitentiary Located In San Francisco, California

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 30, 2018
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I had a guided tour of Alcatraz, and our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Alcatraz Penitentiary. He was an excellent guide and said the worst thing for prisoners on Alcatraz was to hear the nightlife and people laughing and having a good time in San Francisco while they were stuck on the Rock.

I was impressed with the size of Alcatraz and its vast history over the years. Alcatraz has 104 years of prison history. It started as a military prison in 1859 and ended in 1963 when the last inmates left the Rock and Alcatraz to be transferred elsewhere. Remnants of each time frame can be seen today; the National Park Service has had a caretaker for the island since 1972. The water in San Francisco Bay is only 58 degrees. Escaping to the island is challenging as the body can quickly go into hypothermia and shut down in the cold, frigid waters.

Alcatraz is under preservation. The buildings are getting new roofs and repainted so future generations can learn the history of Alcatraz. The jail cells are only five ft. wide, nine ft. deep, and seven ft. high, which are very small. Al Capone was a prisoner on the Rock, with George ” Machine Gun ” Kelly and more.

Alcatraz is one of the top places people have on their bucket lists to see. Paris and the Eiffel tower are number one. People are interested in Alcatraz and the various attempts made over the years to escape the Rock. The movie escape from Alcatraz has also made seeing Alcatraz in person tempting and exciting. The method of out in the movie was the same attempt the actual prisoners made while stuck on the Rock. They removed the grate in their cell and put homemade heads in their beds, and when the guards hit their beds, the artificial heads rolled to the floor. Alcatraz had 1500 prisoners pass through its doors over the years.

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Ancient Redwood Forests California Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument California With Ancient Redwood Forests

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date April 30, 2018
2 Comments on Muir Woods National Monument California With Ancient Redwood Forests

I was very impressed with Muir Woods National Monument. The trails were nicely marked, and I loved the peace and serenity in the woods and looking at the impressive ancient Redwood trees.

A redwood tree can live up to 2000 years. The tallest redwood tree is 250 ft., and the widest is over 14 ft—most mature redwood trees range from 500 to 800 years old. The park has delicate wildflowers, ferns, bay laurels, and big-leaf maples.

In 1908 Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the area a national monument under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The room was named to honor John Muir, a conversationalist. The Kent family donated their land of uncut stands of redwoods to the federal government in 1905 to ensure its protection.

Spotted owls, bats, deer, raccoons, and birds live in the quiet redwood forest. Snakes, chipmunks, gray squirrels, fish, and salamanders live in the woods.

I love the layout of the hiking and walking trails in the park. The average daytime temperature in the garden is 40 to 70 degrees F. I only needed a lightweight jacket on to keep warm.

Two weddings were taking place in the woods the day I came. The couples had wedding dresses on and tuxedos. The park would be a perfect place for a wedding. It is so peaceful, scenic, and serene in the Muir Woods National Monument.

I was taken aback by the size of the ancient redwood trees. The trees are imposing indeed. The tallest tree in the woods is about 250 ft. tall. You can tell the age of the trees by counting the rings in the tree after you cut it down. The winter wet season gets most of the average total of 40 inches of rain annually. When the creek becomes swollen with too much water, it enables the threatened steelhead and endangered coho salmon to be able to move up the stream and spawn.

Seeing Muir Woods National Monument in California with the ancient redwood forest was the high point of my vacation. I would highly recommend visiting this national treasure in your lifetime.

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Boudin Bakery California

Boudin Bakery In San Francisco, California

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date November 27, 2017
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Boudin Bakery has been in business since 1849. They are known for their famous Sour Dough bread. Mrs. Louise Boudin was quite the businesswoman and made the company what it is today. Sourdough bread is made in the shapes of teddy bears, turtles, alligators, and more. They sell light and dark bread, croissants, and much more. The Sour Dough bread has only four ingredients: mother dough, flour, salt, and water. The sourdough bread is made with a mother dough with Lactobacillus sanfrancisco bacteria in motion, giving it a uniquely sourdough taste that can only be produced in San Francisco.

My friend and I ate several times at Boudin Bakery, along Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. I ordered the Turkey and Avocado sandwich on a croissant and Clam Chowder soup in a sourdough bread bowl. My friend had the same, except she had tomato basil soup. Our food was excellent and came to our table quickly. Later, I ordered some hot chocolate which was perfect with lots of chocolate.

The bakery is constantly very busy with people buying various pieces of bread and ordering food. I enjoyed the museum upstairs that tells about the history of Boudin over the years. I enjoyed watching their big commercial ovens and the operation of making the various pieces of bread. The bread only takes five to twenty minutes to bake, depending on the size of the loaf of bread they are baking.

Boudin Bakery has something for everyone. They have a vast menu and many gift items available. I purchased a can of clam chowder soup and drank chocolate to take home and enjoy in the long winter months. I ate an Almond Croissant that was filled with almond paste, and it was outstanding in taste and flavor. I would highly recommend going to Boudin Bakery in San Francisco, California.

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