Take a Step Back in Time at Alcatraz

Al Capone. “Machine Gun” Kelly. Mickey Cohen. Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” These names conjure up images from a different era and of a lonely, isolated prison in the heart of San Francisco Bay; Alcatraz. Though it served as a federal penitentiary for just 29 years, it still captures the public’s attention and imagination. As a result, it’s one of the top tourist destinations in San Francisco.

“You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege. Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations, Number 5.” That rule was just one of the realities of life inside the walls at “the Rock.” This rule and many others are now part of the rich history of the island.

“Break the rules and you go to prison. Break the prison rules, and you go to Alcatraz.” That sentiment sums up the purpose of the solemn island penitentiary...a place to house troublesome prisoners or to treat those who needed extreme rehabilitation. The island was virtually escape-proof, although there were 36 attempts over the years. In 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin pulled off the most famous escape in Alcatraz history. They chipped holes around the vents in their cells, climbed into the utility corridor behind the walls and escaped to the roof. They left paper Mache dummy heads in their beds to fool the guards. This escape, months in the making, made the trio famous, although they were never seen again and were presumed to have drowned in San Francisco Bay.

Touring one of the cell blocks

Although Alcatraz had a reputation for being hard and tough, history shows that prisoners at Alcatraz enjoyed some perks not seen in other prisons of the time. They were allowed to eat as much food, the best of any federal prison, as they wanted within the 20-minute meal periods. In the prisons’ later years, they had permission to paint, play musical instruments, watch movies on the weekends, and use radios. The guards and their families lived on the island, and they were so confident in the security of Alcatraz, they never locked their doors.

A cell in Block D -- solitary confinement

Today, the practical side of a visit to Alcatraz starts with a boat ride from San Francisco. Stopping first at the dock, a volunteer from the National Park service welcomes visitors and gives a brief introduction. From there it’s a steep walk up the hill to the cell house, but transportation is available for the infirm. Once in the cell house, an excellent audio tour, which includes narration from former guards and prisoners, guides visitors through the cellblocks and various rooms. After the audio tour, visitors are free to walk the grounds to see the recreation yard, views of the mainland, and the well-kept gardens. Alcatraz is also home to a wide variety of seabirds, and their nesting areas can be seen from outside the cell house.

Those who want to take a trip to Alcatraz should plan ahead and buy tickets early. Tickets for the ferry and subsequent island tour sell out well in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.alcatrazcruises.com , the official provider of transportation to and from Alcatraz. Other tour companies offer tickets, but at inflated prices.

 

"You are expected to bathe in a reasonable amount of time."
Good advice for us all!

“It looks like Alcatraz has got me licked,” said Al Capone in 1934. Indeed, time spent at “the Rock,” by over 1,500 inmates gave the island its notorious reputation. Windswept rocks, crashing waves, and San Francisco’s frequent fog put the finishing touches on one of America’s most visited National Parks. It’s worth the time and trouble to make a journey to the Rock...Alcatraz. 

Visitors can tour the recreation yard where prisoners used to play
baseball and other sports.

Trees are the “Stars” in Sequoia National Park

Imagine a place where the trees are superstars. The “skyscrapers” are living organisms for which people walk miles to admire. Imagine a place where forest fires are essential in cultivating the species. Picture a tree with needs so specific that it can only grow in one location. See its branches soaring to the sky, but with roots that are shallow – the trees’ only weakness. Can such a site exist on this planet? It does, and its name is Sequoia National Park.

A recent vacation to this unique place revealed a world unlike any other. These large trees, not the tallest on earth, but the largest and densest, grow only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. They can soar to be 300 feet tall with trunks up to 40 feet in diameter. While the trees grow quickly during their lifetimes, the root systems are shallow. Consequently, toppling is the main cause of death for sequoias. Heavy winter snows and subsequent spring melts provide the trees’ main water source. 

A visit to Sequoia National Park commands a few “must see” experiences. For a birds-eye perspective of the park, visitors can climb the steep quarter-mile path to the top of Moro Rock. This granite dome provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area and the Great Western Divide, a chain of mountains that runs through the park.

The largest living tree on earth by volume is the 2,700-year-old General Sherman tree. At 275 feet tall, it is estimated to weigh over 1,300 tons. A short downhill walk from the parking lot puts visitors in the shadow of this enormous tree. Be ready for the shortness-of-breath hike back up the trail, though. The strategically placed benches along the trail are ideal for flatlanders not used to the high altitudes of the park.

For an adventure beyond the General Sherman tree, a two-mile walk on the paved Congress trail gives visitors a view of the Washington tree, the world’s second largest tree. To get a break from the crowds, walk the five-mile Trail of the Sequoias which reveals a splendid collection of sequoias and other unique flora and fauna.

Drive through the Tunnel Log and then walk through for a photo op.

The Tunnel Log, a tree which toppled to the ground in 1937, is the only tree in the park through which visitors can drive. A tunnel cut in the fallen tree in 1938 turned this spot into a popular tourist attraction. The tree was estimated to be over 2,000 years old when it fell. Stop nearby for photo ops and to walk through the tunnel, as well.

The Giant Forest Museum provides interpretive displays and lessons on the ecology, fire cycle, and history of the trees. The Big Trees Trail, an interpretive wheelchair-accessible trail, leads directly out of the museum parking lot. Kids can learn about wildlife, camping, and forest ecology with hands-on activities in at the excellent Beetle Rock Education Center. Let them explore and get out the wiggles while learning about the ecology of the park.

Adventurous folks will find a plethora of hiking trails, caving tours, and campgrounds.  Whether it’s day hikes or longer treks, the park has miles of trails to suit every hiker, including ones reaching elevations over 12,000 feet. Camping is permitted in the park on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hike to the top of Moro Rock for a spectacular view of the
park and the Great Western Divide.

Driving in Sequoia is not for the faint of heart. Hair-pin turns and the rise and fall of various elevations calls for steady hands behind the wheel. In the summer, visitors can ride the free Sequoia Shuttle and let the bus drivers do the work. Riding the shuttle also helps cut the air pollution that plagues the park. Either way, a vehicle is necessary for touring.

Whether you’re intending to spend a day or a week at Sequoia National Park, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages. Come to Sequoia to see the famous trees, the superstars of this California hotspot.

 

Visit the Park website at http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm for more information.

Airport Etiquette Tips from Frequent Fliers

My husband has been a business traveler for over 17 years, and his least favorite time to travel is the summer. The airport is packed with vacationers who don’t travel often and don’t understand the etiquette of air travel. So, in the spirit of business travelers everywhere, and with input from a group of business travelers I know, here are the top things business travelers wish vacationing folks knew about air travel.

Be prepared for security. The business travelers had a lot to say about people who do not understand the procedures at security. All passengers should check the TSA website regularly to better comprehend what cannot be carried through the security checkpoint. Vacationers also need to realize that certain items, such as belts and shoes, will have to be removed before passing through the metal detectors or body scanners. When in doubt, watch the business travelers in the security line, and follow their lead. That business traveler in front of you may be going through security for the fifth time that week, so don’t argue about removing your watch, just go with the flow. Also, the TSA agents don’t care if you miss your flight, so be sure to allow plenty of time.

Plan ahead for your children and keep them entertained
while flying.

Mind your children. Another oft-mentioned topic from the business travelers regarded children. Most business travelers like children. However, nothing upsets the flying experience like an unhappy child. Make sure you have plenty of supplies for your children. This includes snacks, entertainment, extra clothes, and all the baby gear that is required for the trip.

One business traveler told the tale of a baby with a diaper blow-out in the early portion of the flight. The mother didn’t have the required wipes and diapers to manage the situation which made the flight unpleasant for all the passengers. Plan ahead for your kids! Keep them happy, clean, and quiet for everyone’s sake.

Be aware of others. Air travel isn’t glamorous. It’s more like riding the city bus these days. Unless you’re flying first class, expect to be crowded and uncomfortable. Making it even worse is the lack of courtesy sometimes shown by other passengers. This includes pushing through the plane aisle to get off first, stowing many small bags in the overhead bins instead of under the seat, placing carry-on bags in the front instead of closer to the passenger’s actual seat, and crowding the jet way while waiting to pick up planeside-checked bags.

Other annoyances include travelers who throw their seats back as soon as they sit down and those who block the plane aisle to remove items from their carry-on bags while people are still boarding the plane. The use of headphones, or the lack thereof, garnered another honorable mention from the business traveler panel. Either headphones aren’t used at all, which means surrounding passengers are subjected to video game noise for the entire flight, or folks crank up the volume to disturbing levels.

One amusing anecdote from the business travelers involved PDA, personal displays of affection. Even though it might be your honeymoon, your fellow travelers don’t want to see this played out in an airplane seat or in the terminal waiting area. Keep your hands to yourself, please.

Be realistic. Delays happen. Weather happens. Luggage gets lost. You’re not the only one who’s being inconvenienced by these annoyances.  If you’re mad about a delayed or cancelled flight, think of the business traveler whose paycheck and livelihood may depend on making an appointment five states away. Realize that some people need to fly because it’s how they make their business work. While your vacation may be important to you, a delay in your plans only affects you and your family. A delay for the business traveler potentially means lost money.

Delayed Plane? It's bound to happen. Know the airline
policies and be realistic about compensation.

The business traveler panel discussed those passengers who become irate because the airline isn’t compensating them. The airlines aren’t required to pass out free flights every time a plane is delayed. The business travelers recommend studying airline policies regarding delays, cancellations, and lost luggage so that you won’t be surprised when you’re faced with an interruption in your plans. Understand that delays will happen. It’s inevitable.

In short, remember your fellow travelers when you’re flying. Common courtesies go a long way to making the trip more pleasant for everyone involved. Be prepared, be informed, and be flexible.

Savvy Travelers’ 10 Hotel Tricks

Looking to maximize your hotel experience as you travel? Here are a few tricks to enhance your stay.

1. Constantly search for the best hotel rate. Even if you think you’ve found a rate you can live with, continue to search and cross check until you leave for your trip. Don’t settle for the rate you locked in at the time of your booking. Assume the rates fluctuate daily. It never hurts to search the web again or to make a direct phone call to ascertain the current rate status.

2.  When using discount search sites, cross check against other websites. Travelocity and Expedia don’t always have the lowest rates. Visit the hotel’s own website or call the hotel directly.

3.  Factor in discounts such as AAA, military, and AARP. If a hotel’s website doesn’t indicate these discount statuses, make a phone call to double check.

4.  Use caution when booking a reservation that can’t be cancelled or is non-refundable. This may provide security for your plans, but it also locks you into a reservation. If a cheaper hotel or one in a better location becomes available later, you won’t be able to take advantage of the benefits.

5.  Booking on an Internet discount site may get you a discount experience. Hotels earn a lower profit on rooms from discount sites, so they give better rooms and service to the guests who chose the hotel for more than just price.

6.  Be an intelligent complainer. When issuing a complaint or asking for a particular service, be clear, concise, and polite. Acquire the name of the hotel employee who helps you and use it when speaking to management about your experience. These strategies will be more effective than screaming or rudeness.

7.  Confirm reservations in advance. Hotels purposely overbook by ten percent which helps them keep a full house considering there will be no-shows and cancellations. If you stay just one night or you booked on a discount Internet site, you’re more likely to get bumped than those who’re paying a higher rate and stay for multiple days. Worried? Call ahead to confirm your reservation.

8.  Join a rewards club. Frequent travelers can join a rewards program and earn status with hotel chains. Not only will you be a preferred customer, you’ll earn free or discount nights that you can use for more travel.



Not all hotel rooms are the same. Tipping your desk agent may score you a
bigger room or a better bathroom.

9.  Tips can make a difference. Want a bigger room, one with a great view, or one with a better bathroom? Tip the desk agent. Desk agents are authorized to make upgrades, and some extra cash in their pocket can mean a better room for you. Tipping can also make a difference with maids, bellmen, and the concierge. Don’t be afraid to share a bit of your wealth in hopes for a better experience.

10. Location matters. Do your research and choose a hotel that’s close to your activities. A cheap hotel that’s miles away from the action might save you money, but you’re losing time and convenience. Factor in the cost of traveling for the day, and you might as well have booked a slightly more expensive hotel that’s closer to the fun. Time is money, so chose your hotel location carefully.

Be a savvy hotel customer on your next vacation and see how much better your experience can be.