POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Forums Gatherings => Topic started by: englishgirl on August 23, 2007, 04:01:09 pm
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ok, who would like to see alcatraz while we're in san fran? me for one.
in the saturday morning walk thread allan says that our walk will end up near pier 39 and that we should look at going after 2 to leave time for lunch after the walk
ive looked on the ticket website and times are
220pm
250pm
320pm
355pm
and then night tours at 610pm and 640 (although these would clash with the social i think)
so who would like to come? and what time shall we go for?
i will forgive those who dont want to go with me but im thinking 220 or 250pm on the saturday (it should take 3 hrs i believe)
thoughts?
kisses to you all across cyberspace - those who wish for the real thing i will try to oblige in san fran xxx
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I don't know for sure yet about Alcatraz. That would be quite a bit of walking for me that day. I will have to see how I feel at the time.
Do you have to purchase tickets in advance?
& If your handing out :-* I'm requesting mine in advance! LOL
Dan
I may be gay, but I love the ladies!
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Hey Englishgirl,
When I wasn't running away from home, I lived in California most of my life, have seen Alcatraz from all sides and from a distance. However comma I have never actually been there and would enjoy the trip. Have the best day
Michael
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Hi Englishgirl,
Thom and I are seriously planning on the trip to "The Rock". We will most likely take to cable car to Pier 39 so I can save my walking energy for the tour. I always over do it and don't realize it until the damage is done. Living with PN is just one more aspect of AIDS, I guess.
See everyone soon. Until then, lots of love and hugs, Ric
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Here's the website:
https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/index.aspx (https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/index.aspx)
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Hi there
I would love to see Alcatraz..any of those times you mentioned would be fine with me, and I'm sure my mate Jen and her hubby will be in for the trip as well.
I'm not sure about the walk before hand, not sure my legs will take all that walking, but I'm sure we can arrange to meet at pier 39.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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Alcatraz sounds like it would be interesting Jan, I believe I read that it is booked well in advance. It would be prudent to check that out in advance.
Jody
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when I went to SF in 2002, we went on the boat ride out in the bay to the Golden Gate....saw Alcatraz from that, it was close enough for me. The boat trip is wonderful...not sure how much it would cost now, I think maybe we paid $15 or $20 then...
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I think we'd be interested in going. As long as I have plenty of time for lunch, any time should work (I get a big grumpy when hungry). ;)
David
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I recommend a trip to Alcatraz. It's a fascinating tour. You do it at your own pace with a headphone set. The narration is by former guards and prisoners, and the sound effects are very realistic (like slamming cell doors).
One thing people should consider, however, is that a trip to Alcatraz involves a lot of walking, including some that is uphill. It's a 130-foot climb from the ferry landing to the actual prison. The entire trip will probably take about 3 hours (including the ferry ride).
If you're planning to go Alcatraz you could adjust your participation in the Saturday morning walk--
a. Skip the walk and save your energy for Alcatraz.
b. Just do the second part of the walk, from the Ferry Building to Pier 39. (This part of the walk is along the waterfront and is completely level.)
c. Do the first part of the walk to the Ferry Building and then take the F-Line trolley to Pier 39.
If you want to go to Alcatraz, you should buy your tickets in advance online. They often sell out, especially on weekends.
www.alcatrazcruises.com (http://www.alcatrazcruises.com)
Allan
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Me too, been in SF a zillion times, already visited everything EXCEPT Alcatraz.
Should I bring the handcuffs? ;D
Milker.
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Just an FYI......
I was walking down the Embarcadero a couple of weeks ago and noticed that the Alcatraz cruises were not departing from Pier 39/41.
A quick look at the website Jerry linked showed it was Pier 33 (I think the Red and White/ Blue and Gold Fleet people lost the National Park Service contract this year to Hornblower Cruises).
So you may want to check this out for sure. In any case, Pier 33 is not that far away from Pier 39, but for those who are used to having the Alcatraz tour ferries depart from Fisherman's Wharf proper...I'm thinking this isn't the case anymore.
John
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Alcatraz is one of the things i'm really looking forward to seeing. I'm gonna be ok doing the walk and the trip around Alcatraz as well I think as long as it's not too hot!
Chris
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Chris,
You're much more likely to be cold than hot, especially if the fog is in. Bring a jacket.
Allan
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The coldest part of the Alcatraz trip is the ferry ride to and from...very windy. I remember buying a cheap sweatshirt which was a lifesaver (and I almost never get cold!) Alcatraz is worth the extra effort if you have never been. I spent three very fascinating hours there last year.
Gary
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This is so funny. I am on vacation in SF right now and was going to start a thread on Alcatraz when I return home and encourage everyone to go. Several years ago my mom visited SF and all she could talk about was the tour, I thought she was just a country bumpkin tourist. Well last night I realized I too am a country bumkin tourist because it is great!!!
Here are few pointers:
Take the night tour. It is a little more expensive, but includes a fantastic audio tour guide. Also they have several extras, a demonstration of opening and closing the doors, a tour of the hospital, a talk about some of the famous prisoners plus a talk about the tides and the moon and what those who escaped faced when swimming the bay. These are not part of the day tours. Plus you get a great view of the city leaving in daylight and returning to the night skyline. And experiencing the difference in the person from daylight to night is really neat. This sells out fast so make your reservations/purchase your ticket soon on line!!!
There is a major hill to climb. However, there is a tram that runs for those who are unable to make the climb. Once in the prison just flat walking and it will bring you back down the hill.
Don't worry about being the first in line to board the ferry. Read this in Fodder's guide to SF and it was correct. Got there with about 5 mins remaining to board and went straight on the boat. Once on you can easily find a seat on any of the three decks. Once the ride starts everyone walks around anyway to take pictures. Print your ticket on line and you don't have to worry about will call.
Not many locals take this tour, not sure why. Guess the same reason people in Louisville don't go to the Derby Museum or Slugger Museum. But Alcatraz should be a must see on anyone's list.
Woods
(aka - a country bumpkin tourist)
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Nah, Woods, you're not a country bumpkin tourist ;)
I kinda get coerced into going to Alcatraz whenever any of my family comes to visit, but just between you, me and the fencepost, it's really interesting every time I go.
Self-guided audio tour that is amazing. Plus, a nice ( but too short) Bay tour on the way over.
I gotta say the best ferry trip is the boat to Tiburon and Sam's Anchor Cafe. I've spent many, many a drunken Sunday afternoon watching the fog roll into the bay.
And getting totally shitfaced. ;)
John
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The night tour sounds like fun. Anyone esle purchasing tickets for this in advance? If not, what time are you all getting ferry tickets for Saturday afternoon?
Peace
Dennis
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hi everyone
thanks for your input
shall we have a vote of what time everyone thinks is best? i vote for 220 or 250...
re the night tour, i hear it is the best but i really dont want to miss any 'social' time with everyone on the saturday night
once we've decided on a time we should all buy asap before they sell out
not long now!!! ;D
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Thom and I concure. We also like the 2:20 or 2:50 departure.
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Thom and I concure. We also like the 2:20 or 2:50 departure.
OK, so shall we all do the 2:50 to ensure we have enough time to get there? I think that's the one D and I'll choose, anyway.
David
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I'd vote for 2.50 if pushed but I'm happy to do either times.
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2:20 or 2:50 is good by me.
Jody
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could anyone who knows san fran let us know if we went at 250 would we be able to get back to the hotel in time for social hour? and if not, would we be able to make it if we went on the 220 trip instead?
thanks!
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I am one of the most disorganized person, is anyone keeping track of all the different activities? With all those different threads i'm at loss as what I'm supposed to do when and where.
Milker.
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The official "unofficial" schedule for this years AMG is located here....http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14595.0 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14595.0).
Of course, this schedule will not meet everyone needs and other events may take place such as the visit to Muir Wood or the sailing trip with Sonomabeach. However, patronage to those establishments on the schedule would be most appreciated as discounts and comps have been negotiated and they are very much looking foward to hosting our group.
A program with the schedule above will be included in everyone's gift bag.
I am one of the most disorganized person, is anyone keeping track of all the different activities? With all those different threads i'm at loss as what I'm supposed to do when and where.
Milker.
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The walk is scheduled for 1030. 4 hours should be more than enough to get you to Pier 39 or whereever the Alacatraz tour departs from. I would schedule the 220P departure which gives you more than enough time to tour "The Rock" then come home and rest before cocktails.
robert
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I want to tag along, even though I have been there before. Alcatraz is really very interesting. Of course, now I am somewhat confused about what time the group wants to depart and whether this is associated with the morning walk. My situation is particularly unique because I don't arrive in SF until Sat. morning...probably getting to the hotel around noon. I do know that we need to purchase Alcatraz ahead of time because it sells out on the weekend. I guess I will keep checking the forum to see what we decide before buying my ticket.
Hard to believe, but we are now under two weeks! Looking greatly forward to seeing my friends from last year and making new ones!
Gary
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My friend Joe who lives in S.F. would also like to go so I would like to get 2 tickets in advance...Have tickets already been ordered? Let me know.
Jody
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hey all
what i thought would work easiest for us all is if we decide which tour to take and then we can all go onto the website and book our own tickets and any for others who are coming with us. i dont think there will be enough for us to qualify for any group discount, and also you have to pick a variety of dates - an option we dont have.
the plan appears to be:
sat 1030 - anyone who wants can go on the walk led by allan, which i believe is planned to end around the area where the ferry to alcatraz leaves (pier 33 according to the website)
sat lunchtime - lunch at end of walk somewhere yet to be decided, meet up with those who are coming to alcatraz who werent on the walk
sat afternoon - we go to alcatraz ;D
sat 630 - social hour ;D ;D
votes so far on which time to depart:
either time: jody & friend, rick & thom, me, jan & friends
250: chris, david & david
220: robert
so lets go for 250 and at least that way we can be assured that we will have time for lunch and a rest between allan's walk and alcatraz (more walking). the tour is meant to take about 3 hours if you inc the ferry rides so we might be a bit late for the social hour, but im sure we can make up for it once we get there :D
the website http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ has tons of information on weather, clothing, etc. this is also where we would buy our tickets
so... unless anyone has any extreme objections to the suggestion outlined above (in which case post within the next 24 hours) on monday we should all go to the website and choose the 250 departure.
once youve booked please either pm me or post on here so we can all see who else is coming.
not long now!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Very good, englishgirl. I will wait until monday to verify that everyone is okay with this schedule and take the tickets.
Milker.
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Should I bring the handcuffs? ;D
Milker.
I asked my friend once if he had some cuff links I could borrow for a special event. I was running for Homecoming Queen in our neighborhood bar. He said YES!, went to his house and was presented handcuffs... I may still have them.
The Homecoming Queen won a paper tiara and a sash made with glitter (very low budget). I finish last but, our Michael (Sonomabeach) did win the BITCH category, hands down. My prize was condoms and personal lubricant, which were all used. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Have the best day
Michael
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BOOKED ;D ;D
1. miss englishgirl - chief jailer minx
2. miss melia - deputy jailer minx
awaiting: touch butch jailers, convicts and jailbait!! :P
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I'll book mine tonight. Is it the 2.50pm one we are all going for?
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yes dear we are all going at 250, so if you think you'll have had enough of us by saturday aft i recommend you choose another time!
now confess your crimes... ;)
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now confess your crimes... ;)
If Chris doesn't fess up himself, I'll tell you all luvvie...
Deputy jailer minx #2 ;) :-*
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booked for 2.50
3. me
Unfortunately I am always impeccably behaved so I have nothing to confess ::) whistles
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I printed out the itinerary for 2 tickets for Saturday, 9/15 at 2:50 PM...I got an odd error message so I forwarded it to my work e-mail...My printout was 7 pages, would that be right or did I do something wrong ?
Jody
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I won't be there at all, but the Trip to Alcatraz WAS FANTASTIC. The Park Service has protected the place without turning it into a museum or theme park. I WILL GO AGAIN.
-megasept (who can't get the pesky little happy face with sunglasses to load)
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I booked two tickets for 2:50pm also. ;)
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Hey Jody when I ordered my tickets they sent me an email and I opened each one in the PDF file and printed them off from there it was only one page each. Just check your email there should be two ticket to be sent to the PDF file to be printed that way. :-*
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Ordered tickets for 2:50 on Sept 15, 2007 and have them in hand as I write this message. Have always wanted a "piece of the rock". Hope I can snatch a pebble without some studly ranger putting me in cuffs. Oh, maybe the cuffs might be worth the bother. See everyone soon, ciber hugs til then. Ric
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I'm confused. I wanted to get 2 tickets for me and josh so I select "2" then there is a link that says "how to buy ticket for others" that says you have to call them. ??? ??? ???
Milker.
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Hi Milker...I bought 2 tickets in my regular order and you just go down to the part that says how many tickets and tab down to 2 for a total of $49.00...I then printed out (thanks Jerry) the 2 separate e-tickets...they both have my name but I will give one to my friend Joe...I don't think that should be a problem as I ordered both on my credit card. Does anyone think it will be an issue?
Jody
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Milker- I called the Alcatraz office and they said you can purchase as many tickets as you like for others as long as the tickets are in your name you must be there and present photo ID...The "Do you want to purchase tickets for others" link just means if you want to buy a gift for someone else and you won't be going you would click there...Hope that explains it.
Jody
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Thank you Jody :)
Add Milker and puertorican2006 as new felons. I don't think I look good in orange, though.
Milker.
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Alcatraz
Queers+jail cell = prison sex
::)
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So how many are going to Alcatraz?
Me and Lisa at 2:50pm
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So how many are going to Alcatraz?
So far:
englishgirl
me
Chris (MancUK)
Jody +1
Jerry
Lisa
Ric + Thom
Milker
Josh (Puertorico2006)
So I make that 11. Others have expressed an interest.
Any others wishing to go, we're going at 2.50pm on the Saturday. Post here or PM englishgirl.
Melia (aka Deputy Jailer Minx #2 ;D)
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Add three more - David, our friend Bonnie, and I will all be there for the 2:50. There may be one more, too.
David
Edited to add Timmy will be joining us, too.
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I just printed out 2 tickets for me and my buddy Dan so add 2 more!!
1 week to go! yikes!
Craig
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going to jail:
1. englishgirl
2. melia
3. Chris (MancUK)
4. 5. Jody + joe
6. Jerry
7. Lisa
8. 9. Ric + Thom
10. Milker
11. Josh (Puertorico2006)
12-15. david, david, bonnie and timmy
16. 17. craig and dan
yippee!
just out of interest are any of the male friends being brought along single and hetero? me and melia need to know if anyone needs 'special' attention from us ;)
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just out of interest are any of the male friends being brought along single and hetero? me and melia need to know if anyone needs 'special' attention from us ;)
I hate to say it but... I think you two are SOL! ;)
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I have just bought and printed my ticket. It will be my second time to Alcatraz, but the first time with a group.
One word of caution....take something light and long-sleeved for the cruise to and from the island. It gets pretty windy, even on a warm SF day, and out on the water it can feel downright cold. I bought a cheap sweatshirt while waiting to board the ship when I realized how cold the wind was.
While there is quite a bit of walking, there is ample time to rest. The tour is really fun. I am looking forward to sharing it with the group.
Gary (who thinks this is the ONLY way to see the inside of a maximum security prison)