24 Hours of Fun

Last Wednesday at 4pm Lee & I departed LAX and landed back there on Thursday evening at 6:20PM. 26 hours and 20 minutes of vacation that felt like a whole weekend. It's amazing the amount of fun we were able to have in such a short period of time. It's a testament to all that we can accomplish in our lives in just one day, let alone a week, month, or a lifetime. So for anyone who's not putting all of the hours in your life to a good use - get out there and DO something with them!!! Just make sure that you get enough rest too (I'm a believer in the importance of sleep) :)

Our adventure started at the airport in San Jose where my brother and sister picked us up before the Bon Jovi concert. We had dinner at Blowfish Sushi in San Jose which was DE-licious!! After a great dinner and a few glasses of Saki, we headed to the HP Pavilion to see the greatest band of all time :) I knew that my brother had gotten incredible seats for the show, but they were better than I even imagined! We were the first section from the stage in the risers - 4th row. Our seats bumped up right to the backstage area too, so we could see everything going on back there - it was amazing. I think I've been to at least 15 Bon Jovi concerts, I've sat on the floor, stood in Times Square for 8 hours, and stood in other various lines just to hear them sing, but these seats were by far the best I've ever had. I only have a few pictures to show for it though and they were taked on my blackberry so they're not the best.

I screamed and danced for 2 1/2 hours to one of the best concerts I've ever been to and guess what? I'm going to the LA show TONIGHT at Staples - woohooo!!! Can't get enough of my boys!

After a good night of sleep, Lee & I ventured to one of my favorite places on Earth - Alcatraz. After living in San Fran for a few years and visiting often, he had never been. This was...I think...my 7th time there! I think it's one of the most fascinating places in our country.

Lee took these first few pics. What do you think?

Leaving San Francisco:

That's me!!

I love this picture that Lee took of everyone looking at the Island as we approach

Welcome to the ROCK!

This is the social hall that was used for the guards and their families. In case any of you have not been to Alcatraz, the guards actually lived on the Island with their families and it ran itself like a small city. Totally amazing!

water tower

School House for the guards' children

warehouse and manufacturing - many of the prisoners worked here

Cell Block C

Cell Block D - The "HOLE"

Kitchen

In the Cafeteria

Part of the Warden's House. In the early 70s, the American Indians occupied Alcatraz as their home. At some point during their occupation there was a fire and many of the residential buildings were severely damaged and some burned down.

This was the Vault in the office used by the guards

I'm not sure if this is exactly true, but I remember reading somewhere that Alcatraz Island has become a bird sanctuary. Here are a few of the many that are the new residents of the Island.

Views from the boat on the way back to the city


After we worked up an appetite on the Rock, we went to the famous Swan Oyster Depot for lunch and let me just say that I wish I had known about this place YEARS ago! They only serve cold seafood and clam chowder, but it is GOOD! Lee and I will definitely make this a regular stop when we visit in the future.

Look at all of this seafood!

You have to wait in line outside because there are only 20 or so seats at the bar. They guys who run the place (all brothers) serve beer/wine/vodka while you're waiting. Here's Lee...
Lunch from Heaven

Look at these crabs!

How cool?

I'll be blogging again in the next few days with a few pics of Manhattan Beach, a few friends, and hopefully a few pictures of the Jovi concert tonight!