Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Napa Valley Winery, SF Trip part 3

While we were visiting Napa Valley we went to Beringer's Winery. My sister Gloria is a wine lover and Beringer, is one she buys regularly. I have to say I am not a big fan of wine.


The buildings were very beautiful.


The views were spectacular, looking out over Napa Valley


It is a beautiful area. It was warmer than San Francisco so we didn't need our sweaters.




This is the stump of their famous oak tree.






A look at the tiny grapes growing on the vine.






Just one of the many vineyards they have growing.





My sisters and brother-in-laws sampling the wines!








We went in-doors to view the wine barrels. They set everything up before hand. The guide carries the wine. We sampled four different kinds.










Picture of the original Beringers






The original grape press.




My niece Alisha in one of the tunnels. It was her 24th birthday.





The under ground tunnels storing the wine for future consumption!








I did not drink both those glasses!






We three sisters!







Just one of the decorated wine barrels.






My sister Gloria and her husband Eddie. She signed up for the wine of the month club! She LOVES wine!








Since we were close to the Infineon Raceway, Eddie had to go. Eddie LOVES Nascar!






We saw this big chair along the road to Infineon. We all took turns getting pictures in the chair. Here is Richard. We had a good laugh over this chair.




Since it was Alisha birthday, she wanted to see the ocean. So we drove over to Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay is were the film "The Birds" by Alfred Hitchcock, was filmed. We ate at "The Tides Wharf". It was cold and windy!







I zoomed in on this sail boat in the bay. The waitress told me it has been out there for about 9 months. The owner didn't have the money to pay someone to get it unstuck. That is so sad, I can't believe some good Samaritan didn't help him get it out!







Family photo, a good person offered to take our picture! A happy family trip. We had a great day!
Next I will blog about our "Road Trip...RV style"





















Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Alcatraz, SF Trip Part 2

Our first close-up look of the U.S. Penitentiary, Alcatraz



The ferry ride over was real windy. I think my hair looks like Medusa here! lol, and that face wow.

Almost to shore. I can only imagine what the prisoners thought when they approached.




This area housed the guards and their families.


The Guard Tower



Outside windows didn't let in much light.






Side view looking at water tower in the background.






Waiting to go in at the entrance.







Intake area, clothes, shoes, and towels















Looking up to the upper cells. We didn't get to go up there.










Just a few of the inmates.








This diagram illustrated one of the attempted escapes.





This is how they got out of their cells. The used spoons to make the openings bigger




A lot of the inmates painted while they were in here. But I didn't see any that were very good at painting. Just something to do to help pass the time.







This is one of the fake heads the escapees used so the guards wouldn't know they were out of their cells.




Here is another one. They looked real fake to me, I guess that is why they didn't work!





Inside the cell. Just a desk, toilet, sink and bed. They were pretty small.




This was the recreation yard






Kitchen area and there is a big dining area just to the left of this.






Library





Visitation booth, prisoners on this side visitors on the back side






Visitation rules





Control Room




This is the vault, it was right off the Warden's office



What the guards uniforms looked like.






These were the Wardens. The second man is the one that was the toughest one. I guess he was nick named the Devil.







Please let me out. I swear I am innocent!






Part 3 of my San Francisco trip is Napa Valley. I wil post it in a few days.