Today we went to the Mirage and saw the dolphins and Tigers.
In the afternoon we spent time by the pool.
Sue went to Rita Rudner and we had a quiet night in.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
28 September 2010
Today we went to Las Vegas Premuim outlets and did some more shopping. We brought home more packages and now have to figure out how to pack everything in our suitcase keeping under the weight limit.
We decided to head down to Treasure Island to see if we could get cheap tickets at the door for Cirque du Soleil - Mystere. We could and ended up with tickets 3 rows from the front. This was really good to see but the kids still liked Blue Man group better. All very enjoyable and would recommend them.
On the way home we watched the pirate show out the front of Treasure Island.
SUE:
I thought it was just a group of female "dancers" strutting their stuff to impress some pirates.
I have decided that having the kids in Las Vegas and walking down the strip with them is great as the men trying to give you cards with phone numbers to get strippers and call girls leave you alone.
We decided to head down to Treasure Island to see if we could get cheap tickets at the door for Cirque du Soleil - Mystere. We could and ended up with tickets 3 rows from the front. This was really good to see but the kids still liked Blue Man group better. All very enjoyable and would recommend them.
On the way home we watched the pirate show out the front of Treasure Island.
SUE:
I thought it was just a group of female "dancers" strutting their stuff to impress some pirates.
I have decided that having the kids in Las Vegas and walking down the strip with them is great as the men trying to give you cards with phone numbers to get strippers and call girls leave you alone.
Grand Canyon - general information
GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largelycontained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States..The Grand Canyon is 277miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet). Nearly two billion yearsof the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer afterlayer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the GrandCanyon are the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through thecanyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point wesee it at today.Before European immigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyonand its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and madepilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, whoarrived in 1540.
The Hualapai (also spelled Walapai) are a tribe of Native Americans who live in the mountains of northwestern Arizona, UnitedStates. The name is derived from "hwal," the Yuman word for pine, "Hualapai" meaning "people of the tall pine". Their traditionalterritory is a 100 mile (160 km) stretch along the pine-clad southern side of the Grand Canyon with the tribal capital located atPeach Springs. The community is governed by the Hualapai Tribal Council which includes a chairperson, vice-chairperson, andseven other council members. Law enforcement is provided by the Hualapai Nation Tribal Police Department which came intoexistence in 2002. The department consists of a Chief Of Police, Deputy Chief, Criminal Invesigator and 11 sworn, Arizona statecertified Patrol Officers. Fire protection is provided by the BIA and the local volunteer fire department. Alcoholism and obesity aremajor problems among many Native American people, so there are community-wide anti-drug and anti-alcohol efforts. There has
been rapid economic, social, and governmental progress.
•More than 200 new homes have been built recently.
•About 14 miles (23 kilometers) of town curbed.
•An improved community water and sewer system provides infrastructure for future growth.
•300 streetlights were installed in 1999.
HOOVER DAM
Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on theborder between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936, and was dedicated onSeptember 30, 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands ofworkers, and cost over a hundred lives. Since about 1900, the Black Canyon and nearby Boulder Canyon had been investigatedfor their potential to support a dam that would control floods, provide irrigation water and produce hydroelectric power.
In 1928, Congress authorized the project. The winning bid to build the dam was submitted by a consortium called Six Companies,Inc., which began construction on the dam in early 1931. Such a large concrete structure had never been built before, and someof the techniques were unproven.
The torrid summer weather and the lack of facilities near the site also presented difficulties.Nevertheless, Six Companies turned over the dam to the Federal government on March 1, 1936, more than two years early.Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead, and is located near Boulder City, Nevada, a municipality originally created for workers onthe construction project, about 30 mi (48 km) south of Las Vegas, Nevada. The dam's generators provide power for public andprivate utilities in Nevada, Arizona and California. Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction.
Soon after the dam was authorized, increasing numbers of unemployed converged on southern Nevada. Las Vegas, then asmall city of some 5,000, saw between 10,000 and 20,000 unemployed descend on it A government camp was established forsurveyors and other personnel near the dam site, this soon became surrounded by a squatter's camp. Known as McKeeversville,the camp was home to men hoping for work on the project, together with their families. Another camp, on the flats along theColorado River, was officially called Williamsville, but was known to its inhabitants as Ragtown. Once construction began, SixCompanies hired large numbers of workers, with more than 3,000 on the payroll by 1932 and with employment peaking at 5,251in July 1934. "Mongolian" (Chinese) labor was forbidden by the construction contract, while the number of blacks employed bySix Companies never exceeded thirty, mostly lowest-pay-scale laborers in a segregated crew.
With most work finished on the dam itself (the powerhouse remained uncompleted), a formal dedication ceremony was arrangedfor September 30, 1935, to coincide with a western tour being made by President Franklin Roosevelt There were 112 deathsassociated with the construction of the dam. Included in that total was J. G. Tierney, a surveyor who drowned on December20, 1922 while looking for an ideal spot for the dam. His son, Patrick W. Tierney, was the last man to die working on the dam'sconstruction, 13 years to the day later. Ninety-six of the deaths occurred during construction at the site. Of the 112 fatalities,91 were Six Companies employees, three were Bureau of Reclamation employees, and one was a visitor to the site, with theremainder employees of various contractors not part of Six Companies. Also not included in the official fatalities number weredeaths from what was recorded as pneumonia. Workers alleged that this diagnosis was a cover for death from carbon monoxidepoisoning, brought on by the use of gasoline-fueled vehicles in the diversion tunnels, and used by Six Companies to avoid payingcompensation claims. A total of 42 workers were recorded as having died from pneumonia; none were listed as having died fromcarbon monoxide poisoning. No deaths of non-workers from pneumonia were recorded in Boulder City during the construction period.
The initial plans for the facade of the dam, the power plant, the outlet tunnels and ornaments clashed with the modern look of anarch dam. The Bureau of Reclamation, more concerned with the dam's functionality, adorned it with a Gothic-inspired balustradeand eagle statues. This initial design was criticized by many as being too plain and unremarkable for a project of such immensescale, so Los Angeles-based architect Gordon B. Kaufmann, then the supervising architect to the Bureau of Reclamation, wasbrought in to redesign the exteriors. Kaufmann greatly streamlined the design, and applied an elegant Art Deco style to the entireproject. Kaufmann designed sculptured turrets rising seamlessly from the dam face and clock faces on the intake towers set forthe time in Nevada and Arizona—the two states are in different time zones, but as Arizona does not observe Daylight SavingTime, the clocks display the same time for more than half the year. At Kaufmann’s request, Denver artist Allen Tupper True washired to handle the design and decoration of the walls and floors of the new dam. True's design scheme incorporated motifs ofthe Navajo and Pueblo tribes of the region.
During the years of lobbying leading up to the passage of legislation authorizing the dam in 1928, the dam was generally referredto by the press as "Boulder Dam" or "Boulder Canyon Dam", notwithstanding the fact that the proposed site had been shiftedto Black Canyon. The Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 (BCPA) never mentions a proposed name or title for the dam. TheBCPA merely allows the government to "construct, operate, and maintain a dam and incidental works in the main stream of the Colorado River at Black Canyon or Boulder Canyon". When Secretary Wilbur spoke at the ceremony starting the building ofthe railway between Las Vegas and the dam site on September 17, 1930, he named the dam "Hoover Dam", citing a traditionof naming dams after Presidents—though none had been so honored during their terms of office. Wilbur justified his choiceon the ground that Hoover was "the great engineer whose vision and persistence ... has done so much to make [the dam]possible". One writer complained in response that "the Great Engineer had quickly drained, ditched, and dammed the country".
After Hoover's election defeat and the accession of the Roosevelt Administration, Secretary Ickes ordered on May 13, 1933 thatthe dam be referred to as "Boulder Dam". Ickes stated that Wilbur had been imprudent in naming the structure after a sittingpresident, that Congress had never ratified his choice, and that it had long been referred to as Boulder Dam. The name "BoulderDam" failed to fully take hold, with many American using the two names interchangeably and mapmakers divided as to whatname should be printed. In 1947, a bill passed both Houses of Congress unanimously restoring the name to "Hoover Dam”.
LAKE MEAD
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about 30 miles (48 km) southeast ofLas Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. Formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, it extends 112 miles(180 km) behind the dam, holding approximately 28.5 million acre feet (or 9.28 trillion gallons)(35 km³) of water.
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largelycontained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States..The Grand Canyon is 277miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet). Nearly two billion yearsof the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer afterlayer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the GrandCanyon are the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through thecanyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to the point wesee it at today.Before European immigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyonand its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and madepilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, whoarrived in 1540.
The Hualapai (also spelled Walapai) are a tribe of Native Americans who live in the mountains of northwestern Arizona, UnitedStates. The name is derived from "hwal," the Yuman word for pine, "Hualapai" meaning "people of the tall pine". Their traditionalterritory is a 100 mile (160 km) stretch along the pine-clad southern side of the Grand Canyon with the tribal capital located atPeach Springs. The community is governed by the Hualapai Tribal Council which includes a chairperson, vice-chairperson, andseven other council members. Law enforcement is provided by the Hualapai Nation Tribal Police Department which came intoexistence in 2002. The department consists of a Chief Of Police, Deputy Chief, Criminal Invesigator and 11 sworn, Arizona statecertified Patrol Officers. Fire protection is provided by the BIA and the local volunteer fire department. Alcoholism and obesity aremajor problems among many Native American people, so there are community-wide anti-drug and anti-alcohol efforts. There has
been rapid economic, social, and governmental progress.
•More than 200 new homes have been built recently.
•About 14 miles (23 kilometers) of town curbed.
•An improved community water and sewer system provides infrastructure for future growth.
•300 streetlights were installed in 1999.
HOOVER DAM
Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on theborder between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936, and was dedicated onSeptember 30, 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands ofworkers, and cost over a hundred lives. Since about 1900, the Black Canyon and nearby Boulder Canyon had been investigatedfor their potential to support a dam that would control floods, provide irrigation water and produce hydroelectric power.
In 1928, Congress authorized the project. The winning bid to build the dam was submitted by a consortium called Six Companies,Inc., which began construction on the dam in early 1931. Such a large concrete structure had never been built before, and someof the techniques were unproven.
The torrid summer weather and the lack of facilities near the site also presented difficulties.Nevertheless, Six Companies turned over the dam to the Federal government on March 1, 1936, more than two years early.Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead, and is located near Boulder City, Nevada, a municipality originally created for workers onthe construction project, about 30 mi (48 km) south of Las Vegas, Nevada. The dam's generators provide power for public andprivate utilities in Nevada, Arizona and California. Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction.
Soon after the dam was authorized, increasing numbers of unemployed converged on southern Nevada. Las Vegas, then asmall city of some 5,000, saw between 10,000 and 20,000 unemployed descend on it A government camp was established forsurveyors and other personnel near the dam site, this soon became surrounded by a squatter's camp. Known as McKeeversville,the camp was home to men hoping for work on the project, together with their families. Another camp, on the flats along theColorado River, was officially called Williamsville, but was known to its inhabitants as Ragtown. Once construction began, SixCompanies hired large numbers of workers, with more than 3,000 on the payroll by 1932 and with employment peaking at 5,251in July 1934. "Mongolian" (Chinese) labor was forbidden by the construction contract, while the number of blacks employed bySix Companies never exceeded thirty, mostly lowest-pay-scale laborers in a segregated crew.
With most work finished on the dam itself (the powerhouse remained uncompleted), a formal dedication ceremony was arrangedfor September 30, 1935, to coincide with a western tour being made by President Franklin Roosevelt There were 112 deathsassociated with the construction of the dam. Included in that total was J. G. Tierney, a surveyor who drowned on December20, 1922 while looking for an ideal spot for the dam. His son, Patrick W. Tierney, was the last man to die working on the dam'sconstruction, 13 years to the day later. Ninety-six of the deaths occurred during construction at the site. Of the 112 fatalities,91 were Six Companies employees, three were Bureau of Reclamation employees, and one was a visitor to the site, with theremainder employees of various contractors not part of Six Companies. Also not included in the official fatalities number weredeaths from what was recorded as pneumonia. Workers alleged that this diagnosis was a cover for death from carbon monoxidepoisoning, brought on by the use of gasoline-fueled vehicles in the diversion tunnels, and used by Six Companies to avoid payingcompensation claims. A total of 42 workers were recorded as having died from pneumonia; none were listed as having died fromcarbon monoxide poisoning. No deaths of non-workers from pneumonia were recorded in Boulder City during the construction period.
The initial plans for the facade of the dam, the power plant, the outlet tunnels and ornaments clashed with the modern look of anarch dam. The Bureau of Reclamation, more concerned with the dam's functionality, adorned it with a Gothic-inspired balustradeand eagle statues. This initial design was criticized by many as being too plain and unremarkable for a project of such immensescale, so Los Angeles-based architect Gordon B. Kaufmann, then the supervising architect to the Bureau of Reclamation, wasbrought in to redesign the exteriors. Kaufmann greatly streamlined the design, and applied an elegant Art Deco style to the entireproject. Kaufmann designed sculptured turrets rising seamlessly from the dam face and clock faces on the intake towers set forthe time in Nevada and Arizona—the two states are in different time zones, but as Arizona does not observe Daylight SavingTime, the clocks display the same time for more than half the year. At Kaufmann’s request, Denver artist Allen Tupper True washired to handle the design and decoration of the walls and floors of the new dam. True's design scheme incorporated motifs ofthe Navajo and Pueblo tribes of the region.
During the years of lobbying leading up to the passage of legislation authorizing the dam in 1928, the dam was generally referredto by the press as "Boulder Dam" or "Boulder Canyon Dam", notwithstanding the fact that the proposed site had been shiftedto Black Canyon. The Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 (BCPA) never mentions a proposed name or title for the dam. TheBCPA merely allows the government to "construct, operate, and maintain a dam and incidental works in the main stream of the Colorado River at Black Canyon or Boulder Canyon". When Secretary Wilbur spoke at the ceremony starting the building ofthe railway between Las Vegas and the dam site on September 17, 1930, he named the dam "Hoover Dam", citing a traditionof naming dams after Presidents—though none had been so honored during their terms of office. Wilbur justified his choiceon the ground that Hoover was "the great engineer whose vision and persistence ... has done so much to make [the dam]possible". One writer complained in response that "the Great Engineer had quickly drained, ditched, and dammed the country".
After Hoover's election defeat and the accession of the Roosevelt Administration, Secretary Ickes ordered on May 13, 1933 thatthe dam be referred to as "Boulder Dam". Ickes stated that Wilbur had been imprudent in naming the structure after a sittingpresident, that Congress had never ratified his choice, and that it had long been referred to as Boulder Dam. The name "BoulderDam" failed to fully take hold, with many American using the two names interchangeably and mapmakers divided as to whatname should be printed. In 1947, a bill passed both Houses of Congress unanimously restoring the name to "Hoover Dam”.
LAKE MEAD
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about 30 miles (48 km) southeast ofLas Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. Formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, it extends 112 miles(180 km) behind the dam, holding approximately 28.5 million acre feet (or 9.28 trillion gallons)(35 km³) of water.
27 September 2010 - Grand Canyon Tour
Well, what can I say, we got up at 4.30 am to get picked up to be taken to Boulder City for our helicopter ride over Grand Canyon. We were all feeling as thought it was to early and was it going to be worth it. OMG it was well and truly worth it and the best, we flew in and landed on a plateau at the lowest point in the Canyon. We had a snack there befre heading back. We were given a narrated tour of the sites on the way there. Again OMG it was fantastic.
We got back earlier than expected so decided to go to Circus Circus which has an adventure playground (rollercoasters etc). Rhiannon and Sue when on the rides and Renee won some dice fishing. While we were there we saw we could get tickets to a show so brought them and after lunch we came back for a snooze while Sue stopped to get our seats allocated for the show.
We got back earlier than expected so decided to go to Circus Circus which has an adventure playground (rollercoasters etc). Rhiannon and Sue when on the rides and Renee won some dice fishing.The show we went and saw was called Blue Man Group and it was so funny. We all enjoyed it. The girls have not spoken about anything else since.
Las Vegas - General information
LAS VEGAS
Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city forgambling, shopping and fine dining. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for thenumber of casino resorts and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, it is the 28th most populous city inthe United States. Las Vegas is situated on the arid desert floor within Clark County. The surrounding environment is dominatedby desert vegetation and some wildlife, and the area is subject to torrential flash floods.
Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, at the close of the century LasVegas was the most populous American city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century).The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegasa popular setting for films and television programs. On the other hand, Las Vegas also has the highest number of churches percapita of any major U.S. city. There are numerous outdoor lighting displays on Fremont Street, as well as elsewhere in the city.
The name Las Vegas is often applied to unincorporated areas that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and nearthe Las Vegas Strip. The 4 mile (6.4 km) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard known as the Strip is mainly in the unincorporatedcommunities of Paradise and Winchester, while a small portion overlaps into Las Vegas and the unincorporated community of Enterprise.
Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city forgambling, shopping and fine dining. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for thenumber of casino resorts and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, it is the 28th most populous city inthe United States. Las Vegas is situated on the arid desert floor within Clark County. The surrounding environment is dominatedby desert vegetation and some wildlife, and the area is subject to torrential flash floods.
Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, at the close of the century LasVegas was the most populous American city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century).The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegasa popular setting for films and television programs. On the other hand, Las Vegas also has the highest number of churches percapita of any major U.S. city. There are numerous outdoor lighting displays on Fremont Street, as well as elsewhere in the city.
The name Las Vegas is often applied to unincorporated areas that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and nearthe Las Vegas Strip. The 4 mile (6.4 km) stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard known as the Strip is mainly in the unincorporatedcommunities of Paradise and Winchester, while a small portion overlaps into Las Vegas and the unincorporated community of Enterprise.
26 September 2010 - Shopping Day
Today we went Shopping YEAH. It was very, very hot today. We got a few things for ourselves.
When we got back from shopping we walked to Ceasars Palace for a swimin the pool. The pools here close at 6.00 pm. We cam home and then went out for dinner.
When we got back from shopping we walked to Ceasars Palace for a swimin the pool. The pools here close at 6.00 pm. We cam home and then went out for dinner.
25 September 2010
Today we went to M & M world, Coke Cola World (shopping of course) and MGM Hotel where we all became CSI recruits.
We decided to catch the mono rail back and have a look around, it broke down and we had to get off in the 37 degrees heat.
Tonight we went to Fremont Street Experience to see the light show. It was well worth the trip. The shows are shown on the hour the first one was the Doors, and we had to stay for Queen at the next hour, oh and of course we had to wait to see the KISS tribute. While we waited they played Jesse's girls so we danced in the street.
Rhiannon nearly got killed (lol).
There was a guy creating scenery pictures using spray paints. The girls were amazed and each brought a painting.We thought we should head home as it was after midnight and after all we couldn't watch him all night even though Rhiannon and Renee would have loved to.
24 September 2010 - Travelling to Los Vegas
Tracey's Birthday. We flew to Las Vegas today. When we arrived we went for a wander to the Paris Hotel, Ceasars Palace Hotel and Bally's Hotel. We watched the water display at the bellagio which was great. We had some dinner at a mexican restaurant in the casino where we are staying. Kids are allowed to walk through any casino but not stop. Tracey played the slots and broke even.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
23 September 2010 - Day in San Francisco
After a sleep in (sort of) we wandered around Fisherman's wharf and did some shopping. We visited Ghiraldelli chocolate square and had ice cream (yummy ice cream).
We then caught the F train home because the kids did not want to catch a cable car again as the streets of San Francisco are so steep.
We decided that a ghost walk was in order. Sue decided that she would go shopping so the kids and I decided to do the walk anyway. We were running late and had to walk (very fast) up the steep hills (13 blocks) of Sutter Street to Queen Anne Hotel to start our ghost walk. It was interesting to hear about the various places and the hauntings. We got home at about 10.30 pm after having some tea.
We then caught the F train home because the kids did not want to catch a cable car again as the streets of San Francisco are so steep.
We decided that a ghost walk was in order. Sue decided that she would go shopping so the kids and I decided to do the walk anyway. We were running late and had to walk (very fast) up the steep hills (13 blocks) of Sutter Street to Queen Anne Hotel to start our ghost walk. It was interesting to hear about the various places and the hauntings. We got home at about 10.30 pm after having some tea.
Tour to Yosemite - general information
YOSMITE
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera countiesin east central California, United States. The park covers an area of 761,268 acres (3,080.74 km2) and reaches across thewestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Yosemite is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in theSierra Nevada, and the park supports a diversity of plants and animals.
Yosemite has a Mediterranean climate, meaning most precipitation falls during the mild winter, and the other seasons are
nearly dry (less than 3% of precipitation falls during the long, hot summers) The National Park Service was formed in 1916, andYosemite was transferred to that agency's jurisdiction. The Yosemite Museum was founded in 1926 through the efforts of AnselFranklin Hall
SIERRA NEVADA
Sierra Nevada A mountain range of eastern California extending about 644 km (400 mi) between the Sacramento and SanJoaquin valleys and the Nevada border. Mount Whitney, 4,420.7 m (14,494 ft), is the highest elevation.
El Capitan is a 3,000-foot (910 m) vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley,near its western end. The granite monolith is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers.
The formation was named "El Capitan" by the Mariposa Battalion when it explored the valley in 1851. El Capitan ("thecaptain", "the chief") was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff. It is unclear ifthe Native American name referred to a specific Tribal chief, or simply meant "the chief" or "rock chief". In modern times, theformation's name is often contracted to "El Cap", especially among rock climbers
BRIDALVEIL FALLS
Bridalveil Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California, seen yearly by millions of visitorsto Yosemite National Park. The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that Bridalveil Fall was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohonowhich guarded the entrance to the valley, and that those leaving the valley must not look directly into the waterfall lest they becursed. When the wind blows briskly, the waterfall will appear to be falling sideways. During lesser water flow, the falls often don'treach the ground. Because of this, the Native Americans called this waterfall Pohono, which means Spirit of the Puffing Wind.
They also believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one's chances of marriage.Bridalveil Fall is 188 metres(617 ft) and flows year round. The glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley left many hanging valleys which spawned the waterfallsthat pour into the valley. All of the waterways that fed these falls carved the hanging valleys into steep cascades with the exception of Bridalveil Fall. Bridalveil still leaps into the valley from the edge of the precipice, although that edge has moved backinto an alcove from the original edge of the valley. The primary source of Bridalveil Falls is Ostrander Lake, some 16 kilometres(9.9 mi) to the south.
HALF DOME
Half Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, located in northeastern Mariposa County, California, at the easternend of Yosemite Valley — possibly Yosemite's most familiar rock formation. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444m) above the valley floor. Half Dome is nearly as whole as it ever was. The impression from the valley floor that this is a rounddome which has lost its northwest half is an illusion. On March 28, 2009, a large rock slide of 1,500,000 cubic feet (42,000 m3)occurred off of Awhiyah Point. The slide happened at 5:26 a.m and damaged a large area under the dome. No one was injuredbut hundreds of trees were knocked down and a portion of the Mirror Lake trail was buried. The slide registered on seismographsas a 2.5 earthquake
Half Dome was originally called "Tis-sa-ack," meaning Cleft Rock in the language of the local Native Americans.. Tis-sa-ack isthe name of a mother from a native legend. The face seen in Half Dome is supposed to be hers. Tis-sa-ack is the name of aMono Lake Paiute Indian girl in the Yosemite Native American legend The top of Half Dome is a large, flat area where climberscan relax and enjoy their accomplishment. The summit offers views of the surrounding areas, including Little Yosemite Valley andthe Valley Floor.
MERCED RIVER
The Merced River, in the central part of the U.S. state of California, is approximately 112 miles (180 km) long, flowing from theSierra Nevada into the Central Valley and the San Joaquin River, which ultimately flows to the Pacific Ocean. It is most wellknown for its swift and steep course through the southern part of Yosemite National Park, having carved out the world-famousYosemite Valley. The river's character changes dramatically once it reaches the foothills and the lowlands; it becomes a slow-moving waterway streaming through farmland
THREE BROTHERS
The Three Brothers is a rock formation, in Yosemite Valley, California, USA. It is located just east of El Capitan and consists of Eagle Peak (the uppermost "brother"), and Middle and Lower Brothers.
SENTINEL ROCK
Sentinel Rock is a granitic peak in Yosemite National Park, California, United States. It towers over Yosemite Valley, oppositefrom Yosemite Falls. Sentinel Rock lies 1.1 kilometres (0.7 mi) northwest of Sentinel Dome. Midway between El Capitan andHalf Dome, Sentinel (Rock) is guardian of Yosemite Valley's South side. The tombstone-shaped, usually dark, north face loomsforbidding over Leidig Meadow below and is home to one of Yosemite's most notorious routes: the 'Steck-Salathe.' The 'WestFace' rounds out the selection of most popular routes on Sentinel
SENTINEL DOME
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8 miles(1.3 km) southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northeast of Profile Cliff. The original Native American name ofSentinel Dome, in the Southern Sierra Miwok language, was "Sakkaduch". The Bunnell survey named it "South Dome", but theWhitney survey renamed it Sentinel Dome (from its likeness to a watch-tower). The view from the top offers a 360 degree view ofYosemite Valley and surroundings. One can see Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Basket Dome, and muchmore.
Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak
. The pine was photographed as early as1867 by Carleton Watkins. The tree died during the drought of 1976. The dead tree remained standing until August 2003.
YOSEMITE FALLS
Yosemite Falls is the highest measured waterfall in North America. Located in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada of California, it is a major attraction in the park, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its peak.
The total 739 metres (2,425 ft) from the top of the upper falls to the base of the lower falls qualifies Yosemite Falls as thesixth highest waterfall in the world, though with the recent discovery of Gocta Cataracts, it appears on some lists as seventh.
Upper Falls: The 436 metres (1,430 ft) plunge alone is among the twenty highest waterfalls in the world. Trails from the valleyfloor and down from other park areas outside the valley lead to both the top and base of Upper Yosemite Falls. The upper fall isformed by the swift waters of Yosemite Creek, which, after meandering through Eagle Creek Meadow, hurl themselves over theedge of a hanging valley in a spectacular and deafening show of force.
Middle Cascades: Between the two obvious main plunges there are a series of five smaller plunges collectively referred to asthe Middle Cascades. Taken together these account for a total drop of 205 metres (673 ft), more than twice the height of theLower Falls. Because of the narrow, constricted shape of the gorge in which these drops occur and the lack of public access,they are rarely noted. Most viewpoints in the valley miss them entirely. Several vantage points for the cascades are found alongthe Yosemite Falls trail. Several hikers climbing down from the trail towards the cascades have required an expensive helicopterrescue due to steep and slippery terrain and features.
Lower Falls: The final 97 metres (318 ft) drop adjacent to an accessible viewing area, provides the most-used viewing point forthe waterfalls. Yosemite Creek emerges from the base of the Lower Falls and flows into the Merced River nearby. Like manyareas of Yosemite the plunge pool at the base of the Lower Falls is surrounded by dangerous jumbles of talus made even moretreacherous by the high humidity and resulting slippery surfaces
The Ahwahneechee people of Yosemite Valley called the waterfall "Cholock" and believed that the plunge pool at its base wasinhabited by the spirits of several witches, called the Poloti. An Ahwaneechee folktale describes a woman going to fetch a pailof water from the pool, and drawing it out full of snakes. Later that night, after the woman had trespassed into their territory, thespirits caused the woman's house to be sucked into the pool by a powerful wind, taking the woman and her newborn baby withher.
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera countiesin east central California, United States. The park covers an area of 761,268 acres (3,080.74 km2) and reaches across thewestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Yosemite is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in theSierra Nevada, and the park supports a diversity of plants and animals.
Yosemite has a Mediterranean climate, meaning most precipitation falls during the mild winter, and the other seasons are
nearly dry (less than 3% of precipitation falls during the long, hot summers) The National Park Service was formed in 1916, andYosemite was transferred to that agency's jurisdiction. The Yosemite Museum was founded in 1926 through the efforts of AnselFranklin Hall
SIERRA NEVADA
Sierra Nevada A mountain range of eastern California extending about 644 km (400 mi) between the Sacramento and SanJoaquin valleys and the Nevada border. Mount Whitney, 4,420.7 m (14,494 ft), is the highest elevation.
El Capitan is a 3,000-foot (910 m) vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley,near its western end. The granite monolith is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers.
The formation was named "El Capitan" by the Mariposa Battalion when it explored the valley in 1851. El Capitan ("thecaptain", "the chief") was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff. It is unclear ifthe Native American name referred to a specific Tribal chief, or simply meant "the chief" or "rock chief". In modern times, theformation's name is often contracted to "El Cap", especially among rock climbers
BRIDALVEIL FALLS
Bridalveil Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California, seen yearly by millions of visitorsto Yosemite National Park. The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that Bridalveil Fall was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohonowhich guarded the entrance to the valley, and that those leaving the valley must not look directly into the waterfall lest they becursed. When the wind blows briskly, the waterfall will appear to be falling sideways. During lesser water flow, the falls often don'treach the ground. Because of this, the Native Americans called this waterfall Pohono, which means Spirit of the Puffing Wind.
They also believed that inhaling the mist of Bridalveil Fall would improve one's chances of marriage.Bridalveil Fall is 188 metres(617 ft) and flows year round. The glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley left many hanging valleys which spawned the waterfallsthat pour into the valley. All of the waterways that fed these falls carved the hanging valleys into steep cascades with the exception of Bridalveil Fall. Bridalveil still leaps into the valley from the edge of the precipice, although that edge has moved backinto an alcove from the original edge of the valley. The primary source of Bridalveil Falls is Ostrander Lake, some 16 kilometres(9.9 mi) to the south.
HALF DOME
Half Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, located in northeastern Mariposa County, California, at the easternend of Yosemite Valley — possibly Yosemite's most familiar rock formation. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444m) above the valley floor. Half Dome is nearly as whole as it ever was. The impression from the valley floor that this is a rounddome which has lost its northwest half is an illusion. On March 28, 2009, a large rock slide of 1,500,000 cubic feet (42,000 m3)occurred off of Awhiyah Point. The slide happened at 5:26 a.m and damaged a large area under the dome. No one was injuredbut hundreds of trees were knocked down and a portion of the Mirror Lake trail was buried. The slide registered on seismographsas a 2.5 earthquake
Half Dome was originally called "Tis-sa-ack," meaning Cleft Rock in the language of the local Native Americans.. Tis-sa-ack isthe name of a mother from a native legend. The face seen in Half Dome is supposed to be hers. Tis-sa-ack is the name of aMono Lake Paiute Indian girl in the Yosemite Native American legend The top of Half Dome is a large, flat area where climberscan relax and enjoy their accomplishment. The summit offers views of the surrounding areas, including Little Yosemite Valley andthe Valley Floor.
MERCED RIVER
The Merced River, in the central part of the U.S. state of California, is approximately 112 miles (180 km) long, flowing from theSierra Nevada into the Central Valley and the San Joaquin River, which ultimately flows to the Pacific Ocean. It is most wellknown for its swift and steep course through the southern part of Yosemite National Park, having carved out the world-famousYosemite Valley. The river's character changes dramatically once it reaches the foothills and the lowlands; it becomes a slow-moving waterway streaming through farmland
THREE BROTHERS
The Three Brothers is a rock formation, in Yosemite Valley, California, USA. It is located just east of El Capitan and consists of Eagle Peak (the uppermost "brother"), and Middle and Lower Brothers.
SENTINEL ROCK
Sentinel Rock is a granitic peak in Yosemite National Park, California, United States. It towers over Yosemite Valley, oppositefrom Yosemite Falls. Sentinel Rock lies 1.1 kilometres (0.7 mi) northwest of Sentinel Dome. Midway between El Capitan andHalf Dome, Sentinel (Rock) is guardian of Yosemite Valley's South side. The tombstone-shaped, usually dark, north face loomsforbidding over Leidig Meadow below and is home to one of Yosemite's most notorious routes: the 'Steck-Salathe.' The 'WestFace' rounds out the selection of most popular routes on Sentinel
SENTINEL DOME
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8 miles(1.3 km) southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northeast of Profile Cliff. The original Native American name ofSentinel Dome, in the Southern Sierra Miwok language, was "Sakkaduch". The Bunnell survey named it "South Dome", but theWhitney survey renamed it Sentinel Dome (from its likeness to a watch-tower). The view from the top offers a 360 degree view ofYosemite Valley and surroundings. One can see Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Basket Dome, and muchmore.
Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak
. The pine was photographed as early as1867 by Carleton Watkins. The tree died during the drought of 1976. The dead tree remained standing until August 2003.
YOSEMITE FALLS
Yosemite Falls is the highest measured waterfall in North America. Located in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada of California, it is a major attraction in the park, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its peak.
The total 739 metres (2,425 ft) from the top of the upper falls to the base of the lower falls qualifies Yosemite Falls as thesixth highest waterfall in the world, though with the recent discovery of Gocta Cataracts, it appears on some lists as seventh.
Upper Falls: The 436 metres (1,430 ft) plunge alone is among the twenty highest waterfalls in the world. Trails from the valleyfloor and down from other park areas outside the valley lead to both the top and base of Upper Yosemite Falls. The upper fall isformed by the swift waters of Yosemite Creek, which, after meandering through Eagle Creek Meadow, hurl themselves over theedge of a hanging valley in a spectacular and deafening show of force.
Middle Cascades: Between the two obvious main plunges there are a series of five smaller plunges collectively referred to asthe Middle Cascades. Taken together these account for a total drop of 205 metres (673 ft), more than twice the height of theLower Falls. Because of the narrow, constricted shape of the gorge in which these drops occur and the lack of public access,they are rarely noted. Most viewpoints in the valley miss them entirely. Several vantage points for the cascades are found alongthe Yosemite Falls trail. Several hikers climbing down from the trail towards the cascades have required an expensive helicopterrescue due to steep and slippery terrain and features.
Lower Falls: The final 97 metres (318 ft) drop adjacent to an accessible viewing area, provides the most-used viewing point forthe waterfalls. Yosemite Creek emerges from the base of the Lower Falls and flows into the Merced River nearby. Like manyareas of Yosemite the plunge pool at the base of the Lower Falls is surrounded by dangerous jumbles of talus made even moretreacherous by the high humidity and resulting slippery surfaces
The Ahwahneechee people of Yosemite Valley called the waterfall "Cholock" and believed that the plunge pool at its base wasinhabited by the spirits of several witches, called the Poloti. An Ahwaneechee folktale describes a woman going to fetch a pailof water from the pool, and drawing it out full of snakes. Later that night, after the woman had trespassed into their territory, thespirits caused the woman's house to be sucked into the pool by a powerful wind, taking the woman and her newborn baby withher.
22 September 2010 - Trip to Yosemite
We got up at 5.30 am this morning to head of to Yosemite. The drive narrated the whole way (4 hours). This put most of us to sleep but provided alot of information.
We stopped at a cheese factory and had some breakfast. They have a signature dish of cheesecake brownies which were really yummy.
We continued toYosemite, the sighrs were fantastic. The kids also became ranges of Yosemite today.
This was a really long day with us getting back around 11.00 pm.
We have some really good photos of this day but will be show those when we get back.
San Francisco Tour general information
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into thePacific Ocean The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed duringthe year 1937, and has become one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and of theUnited States. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges. It still has the second longestsuspension bridge main span in the United States Construction began on January 5, 1933. The project cost more than $35million.
The weight of the roadway is hung from two cables that pass through the two main towers and are fixed in concrete at each end.Each cable is made of 27,572 strands of wire. There are 80,000 miles (129,000 km) of wire in the main cables. The bridge hasapproximately 1,200,000 total rivets. Despite its red appearance, the color of the bridge is officially an orange vermillion calledinternational orange. Since its completion, the Golden Gate Bridge has been closed due to weather conditions only three times:on 1 December 1951, because of gusts of 69 mph (111 km/h); on 23 December 1982, because of winds of 70 mph (113 km/h);and on 3 December 1983, because of wind gusts of 75 mph (121 km/h)
The Golden Gate Bridge is not only the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States but also the most popular inthe entire world. The deck is approximately 245 feet (75 m) above the water. After a fall of approximately four seconds, jumpershit the water at some 76 miles per hour (122 km/h). At such a speed, water has proven to take on properties similar to concrete.Because of this, most jumpers die on their immediate contact with the water. The few who survive the initial impact generallydrown or die of hypothermia in the cold water.
Before the bridge was built, the only practical short route between San Francisco and what is now Marin County was by boatacross a section of San Francisco Bay. Ferry service began as early as 1820
The Twin Peaks are two hills with an elevation of about 922 feet (281 m) situated at the geographic center of San Francisco,California. They form the second highest point in San Francisco, after Mount Davidson Before the arrival of the Europeans,the native Ohlone people may have used Twin Peaks as a lookout or hunting ground. The ecological diversity of Twin Peaksprovided medicinal or ceremonial plants, grains and berries. When the Spanish conquistadors and settlers arrived beginningin the 18th century, they called the area “Los Pechos de la Chola” or "Breasts of the Indian Maiden" and devoted the area toranching. When San Francisco passed under American control during the 19th Century, it was renamed "Twin Peaks The twopeaks have a north-south orientation and are divided by Twin Peaks Boulevard, which is the only road leading up to the summit.
ALCATRAZ
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California. Oftenreferred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a FederalBureau of Prisons federal prison until 1963. Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarkingdesignations in 1976 and 1986.Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service as part of the GoldenGate National Recreation Area and is open to tours.
Following the war in 1866 the army determined that the fortifications and guns were being rapidly rendered obsolete by advancesin military technology. Modernization efforts, including an ambitious plan to level the entire island and construct shell-proofunderground magazines and tunnels, were undertaken between 1870 and 1876 but never completed. Instead the army switchedthe focus of its plans for Alcatraz from coastal defense to detention, a task for which it was well suited because of its isolation.In 1867 a brick jailhouse was built (previously inmates had been kept in the basement of the guardhouse), and in 1868 Alcatrazwas officially designated a long-term detention facility for military prisoners. Among those incarcerated at Alcatraz were someHopi Native American men in the 1870s. In 1898, the Spanish-American war increased the prison population from 26 to over450. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, civilian prisoners were transferred to Alcatraz for safe confinement. By 1912 therewas a large cell house, and in the 1920s a large 3-story structure was nearly at full capacity. On March 21, 1907, Alcatraz wasofficially designated as the Western U.S. Military Prison, later Pacific Branch, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, 1915.
In 1909 construction began on the huge concrete main cell block, designed by Major Reuben Turner, which remains the island'sdominant feature. It was completed in 1912. To accommodate the new cell block, the Citadel, a three-story barracks, wasdemolished down to the first floor, which was actually below ground level. The building had been constructed in an excavatedpit (creating a dry "moat") to enhance its defensive potential. The first floor was then incorporated as a basement to the newcell block, giving rise to the popular legend of "dungeons" below the main cell block. The Fortress was deactivated as a militaryprison in October 1933, and transferred to the Bureau of Prisons. During World War I the prison held conscientious objectors.
The United States Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz was acquired by the United States Department of Justice on October 12,1933, and the island became a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison in August 1934. During the 29 years it was in use, thejail held notable criminals. It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prison staff and their families.
During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoners had ever successfully escaped. 36 prisoners were involvedin 14 attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and three were lost at sea andnever found. The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946 when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the so-called Battleof Alcatraz. On June 11, 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin successfully carried out one of the most intricateescapes ever devised. Behind the prisoners' cells in Cell Block B (where the escapees were interned) was an unguarded 3-foot(0.91 m) wide utility corridor. The prisoners chiseled away the moisture-damaged concrete from around an air vent leading to thiscorridor, using tools such as a metal spoon soldered with silver from a dime and an electric drill improvised from a stolen vacuumcleaner motor. The noise was disguised by accordions played during music hour, and their progress was concealed by falsewalls which, in the dark recesses of the cells, fooled the guards.The escape route then led up through a fan vent; the fan andmotor had been removed and replaced with a steel grille, leaving a shaft large enough for a prisoner to climb through. Stealinga carborundum cord from the prison workshop, the prisoners had removed the rivets from the grille and substituted dummyrivets made of soap. The escapees also constructed an inflatable raft from several stolen raincoats for the trip to the mainland.Leaving papier-mâché dummies in their cells with stolen human hair from the barbershop for hair, they escaped. The prisonersare estimated to have entered San Francisco Bay at 10 p.m.The official investigation by the FBI was aided by another prisoner,Allen West, who also was part of the escapees' group but was left behind (West's false wall kept slipping so he held it into placewith cement, which set; when the Anglin brothers (John and Clarence) accelerated the schedule, West desperately chipped awayat the wall, but by the time he did his companions were gone). Articles belonging to the prisoners (including plywood paddles andparts of the raincoat raft) were located on nearby Angel Island, and the official report on the escape says the prisoners drownedwhile trying to reach the mainland in the cold waters of the bay.The MythBusters investigated the myth, concluding such anescape was plausible.
By decision of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the penitentiary was closed on March 21, 1963. It was closed because itwas far more expensive to operate than other prisons (nearly $10 per prisoner per day, as opposed to $3 per prisoner per day atAtlanta), half a century of salt water saturation had severely eroded the buildings, and the bay was being badly polluted by thesewage from the approximately 250 inmates and 60 Bureau of Prisons families on the island. The United States Penitentiary inMarion, Illinois, a traditional land-bound prison, opened that same year to serve as a replacement for Alcatraz.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into thePacific Ocean The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed duringthe year 1937, and has become one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and of theUnited States. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges. It still has the second longestsuspension bridge main span in the United States Construction began on January 5, 1933. The project cost more than $35million.
The weight of the roadway is hung from two cables that pass through the two main towers and are fixed in concrete at each end.Each cable is made of 27,572 strands of wire. There are 80,000 miles (129,000 km) of wire in the main cables. The bridge hasapproximately 1,200,000 total rivets. Despite its red appearance, the color of the bridge is officially an orange vermillion calledinternational orange. Since its completion, the Golden Gate Bridge has been closed due to weather conditions only three times:on 1 December 1951, because of gusts of 69 mph (111 km/h); on 23 December 1982, because of winds of 70 mph (113 km/h);and on 3 December 1983, because of wind gusts of 75 mph (121 km/h)
The Golden Gate Bridge is not only the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States but also the most popular inthe entire world. The deck is approximately 245 feet (75 m) above the water. After a fall of approximately four seconds, jumpershit the water at some 76 miles per hour (122 km/h). At such a speed, water has proven to take on properties similar to concrete.Because of this, most jumpers die on their immediate contact with the water. The few who survive the initial impact generallydrown or die of hypothermia in the cold water.
Before the bridge was built, the only practical short route between San Francisco and what is now Marin County was by boatacross a section of San Francisco Bay. Ferry service began as early as 1820
The Twin Peaks are two hills with an elevation of about 922 feet (281 m) situated at the geographic center of San Francisco,California. They form the second highest point in San Francisco, after Mount Davidson Before the arrival of the Europeans,the native Ohlone people may have used Twin Peaks as a lookout or hunting ground. The ecological diversity of Twin Peaksprovided medicinal or ceremonial plants, grains and berries. When the Spanish conquistadors and settlers arrived beginningin the 18th century, they called the area “Los Pechos de la Chola” or "Breasts of the Indian Maiden" and devoted the area toranching. When San Francisco passed under American control during the 19th Century, it was renamed "Twin Peaks The twopeaks have a north-south orientation and are divided by Twin Peaks Boulevard, which is the only road leading up to the summit.
ALCATRAZ
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California. Oftenreferred to as The Rock, the small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a FederalBureau of Prisons federal prison until 1963. Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarkingdesignations in 1976 and 1986.Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service as part of the GoldenGate National Recreation Area and is open to tours.
Following the war in 1866 the army determined that the fortifications and guns were being rapidly rendered obsolete by advancesin military technology. Modernization efforts, including an ambitious plan to level the entire island and construct shell-proofunderground magazines and tunnels, were undertaken between 1870 and 1876 but never completed. Instead the army switchedthe focus of its plans for Alcatraz from coastal defense to detention, a task for which it was well suited because of its isolation.In 1867 a brick jailhouse was built (previously inmates had been kept in the basement of the guardhouse), and in 1868 Alcatrazwas officially designated a long-term detention facility for military prisoners. Among those incarcerated at Alcatraz were someHopi Native American men in the 1870s. In 1898, the Spanish-American war increased the prison population from 26 to over450. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, civilian prisoners were transferred to Alcatraz for safe confinement. By 1912 therewas a large cell house, and in the 1920s a large 3-story structure was nearly at full capacity. On March 21, 1907, Alcatraz wasofficially designated as the Western U.S. Military Prison, later Pacific Branch, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, 1915.
In 1909 construction began on the huge concrete main cell block, designed by Major Reuben Turner, which remains the island'sdominant feature. It was completed in 1912. To accommodate the new cell block, the Citadel, a three-story barracks, wasdemolished down to the first floor, which was actually below ground level. The building had been constructed in an excavatedpit (creating a dry "moat") to enhance its defensive potential. The first floor was then incorporated as a basement to the newcell block, giving rise to the popular legend of "dungeons" below the main cell block. The Fortress was deactivated as a militaryprison in October 1933, and transferred to the Bureau of Prisons. During World War I the prison held conscientious objectors.
The United States Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz was acquired by the United States Department of Justice on October 12,1933, and the island became a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison in August 1934. During the 29 years it was in use, thejail held notable criminals. It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prison staff and their families.
During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoners had ever successfully escaped. 36 prisoners were involvedin 14 attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and three were lost at sea andnever found. The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946 when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the so-called Battleof Alcatraz. On June 11, 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin successfully carried out one of the most intricateescapes ever devised. Behind the prisoners' cells in Cell Block B (where the escapees were interned) was an unguarded 3-foot(0.91 m) wide utility corridor. The prisoners chiseled away the moisture-damaged concrete from around an air vent leading to thiscorridor, using tools such as a metal spoon soldered with silver from a dime and an electric drill improvised from a stolen vacuumcleaner motor. The noise was disguised by accordions played during music hour, and their progress was concealed by falsewalls which, in the dark recesses of the cells, fooled the guards.The escape route then led up through a fan vent; the fan andmotor had been removed and replaced with a steel grille, leaving a shaft large enough for a prisoner to climb through. Stealinga carborundum cord from the prison workshop, the prisoners had removed the rivets from the grille and substituted dummyrivets made of soap. The escapees also constructed an inflatable raft from several stolen raincoats for the trip to the mainland.Leaving papier-mâché dummies in their cells with stolen human hair from the barbershop for hair, they escaped. The prisonersare estimated to have entered San Francisco Bay at 10 p.m.The official investigation by the FBI was aided by another prisoner,Allen West, who also was part of the escapees' group but was left behind (West's false wall kept slipping so he held it into placewith cement, which set; when the Anglin brothers (John and Clarence) accelerated the schedule, West desperately chipped awayat the wall, but by the time he did his companions were gone). Articles belonging to the prisoners (including plywood paddles andparts of the raincoat raft) were located on nearby Angel Island, and the official report on the escape says the prisoners drownedwhile trying to reach the mainland in the cold waters of the bay.The MythBusters investigated the myth, concluding such anescape was plausible.
By decision of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the penitentiary was closed on March 21, 1963. It was closed because itwas far more expensive to operate than other prisons (nearly $10 per prisoner per day, as opposed to $3 per prisoner per day atAtlanta), half a century of salt water saturation had severely eroded the buildings, and the bay was being badly polluted by thesewage from the approximately 250 inmates and 60 Bureau of Prisons families on the island. The United States Penitentiary inMarion, Illinois, a traditional land-bound prison, opened that same year to serve as a replacement for Alcatraz.
21 September 2010 - Tour of San Francisco and Alcatraz
We toured the city of San Francisco today with Urban Safari tours - our guide was Mike, he narrated the aspects of the city including the history.
We saw,
Following this we had lunch in the Castros area and toured some more.
-a restaurant named after a gangsters daughter. The building facade was made from copper and as copper turn green after many years to speed the process up he sprayed the facade with horse urine (gross) so that it would turn green quicker.
- the church where Marilyn Munroe and Jo Di Maggio faked their wedding photos, as they both had been married before they could not be married in a catholic church, they actually got married at City Hall.
- the six sisters, where they filmed the scene at start of Full House where they are in the park having a picnic.
- Golden gate bridge. Including the Fort at the bottom which has hopper's hands. Each year tens of thousands of San Franciscans go running or strolling along San Francisco's waterfront at beautiful Crissy Field to touch the bridge. After 9/11 they blocked the area off to prevent the bombing of the bridge. This westward journey now nevitably ends at the chain link fence next to historic Fort Point, just beneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge where hopper's hand now are. Hopper is a true San Francisco Hero. He is one of the many golden gate bridge's iron workers that not only risk life and limb each day maintaining the world's most beautiful bridge, but volunteer to save the lives of lost souls attempting to end their lives by jumping off the bridge. There is even for the paws of dogs and dog bone.
- Twin peaks to look at the view which was fantastic, we nearly fell over the edge.
Following this we had lunch in the Castros area and toured some more.
We then headed toAlcatraz for a walk around there. At Alcatraz the kids became junior rangers after completing some tasks.
We had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe and caught the cable car home going past the crookiest street (Lombard Street) and up and down many steep streets of San Franscisco.
Monday, September 20, 2010
San Francisco general informtion
San Francisco, is the 4th most populous city in California and the 12th most populous city in the United States.
The earliest archaeological evidence of inhabitation of the territory of the city of San Francisco dates to 3000 BC. The Yelamu group of the Ohlone people resided in several small villages when a Spanish exploration party arrived on November 2, 1769, the first documented European visit to San Francisco Bay was seven years later, on March 28, 1776. it was under Spanish rule until independence from Spain in 1821. The area then became part of Mexico.
In 1835, Englishman William Richardson erected the first independent homestead, near a boat anchorage around what is today Portsmouth Square. Together with Alcalde Francisco de Haro, he laid out a street plan for the expanded settlement, and the town, named Yerba Buena, began to attract American settlers. Commodore John D. Sloat claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American War. Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco the next year, and Mexico officially ceded the territory to the United States at the end of the war.
Despite its attractive location as a port and naval base, San Francisco was still a small settlement with inhospitable geography San Francisco is located on the West Coast of the United States at the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and includes
significant stretches of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay within its boundaries.
The nearby San Andreas and Hayward Faults are responsible for much earthquake activity, although neither physically passes through the city itself. It was the San Andreas Fault which slipped and caused the earthquakes in 1906 and 1989. Minor
earthquakes occur on a regular basis.
The earliest archaeological evidence of inhabitation of the territory of the city of San Francisco dates to 3000 BC. The Yelamu group of the Ohlone people resided in several small villages when a Spanish exploration party arrived on November 2, 1769, the first documented European visit to San Francisco Bay was seven years later, on March 28, 1776. it was under Spanish rule until independence from Spain in 1821. The area then became part of Mexico.
In 1835, Englishman William Richardson erected the first independent homestead, near a boat anchorage around what is today Portsmouth Square. Together with Alcalde Francisco de Haro, he laid out a street plan for the expanded settlement, and the town, named Yerba Buena, began to attract American settlers. Commodore John D. Sloat claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American War. Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco the next year, and Mexico officially ceded the territory to the United States at the end of the war.
Despite its attractive location as a port and naval base, San Francisco was still a small settlement with inhospitable geography San Francisco is located on the West Coast of the United States at the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and includes
significant stretches of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay within its boundaries.
The nearby San Andreas and Hayward Faults are responsible for much earthquake activity, although neither physically passes through the city itself. It was the San Andreas Fault which slipped and caused the earthquakes in 1906 and 1989. Minor
earthquakes occur on a regular basis.
San Francisco arrival coment by Renee
I cant believe they lost mine and Rhiannons bag but luckily mum said to pack a change of clothes in our hand luggage so at least we had hone change of clothes, then we brought more.
20 September 2010 - Arrival to USA first stop San Franscisco
We got to Melbourne airport in plenty of time to catch our international connection to Sydney, however, the lines were extremely long (as expected I suppose for being a Monday and also the fact it was the start of school holidays). We got to the flight with about 20 mins to spare. At this point we were all still relaxed although Rhiannon had already commented about the fact she expected our holiday would consist of a lot of waiting in lines and I think she is right. The Melbourne to Sydney flight was 15 mins late in leaving but seemed to land not too late. The transfer at Sydney airport was slow and lines through customs were long all causing us to nearly miss the flight and to have no time to claim the GST ($100.00) paid on the camera. This is the only time that you can claim it. Oh and Sue was 'randomly selected for drug screening'.
The seats we thought we had booked were not the ones were allocated but it didn't really matter and the 13 hour flight to San Francisco was uneventful.
We arrived at San Francisco and guess what the kids suitcase went to Los Angeles. With the $100.00 compensation from QANTAS(pay back for not having time to collect the GST before flying out of Australia) we went shopping.
At first we were all a little confused by the traffic and looking the wrong way when crossing the road but it is getting better after a few hours out. Also I think we were all a little taken aback by the homeless people begging on the streets.
All in bed early ready to catch up on sleep we have missed on the flight. Look forward to tomorrow's tour of San Francisco including Alcatraz.
The seats we thought we had booked were not the ones were allocated but it didn't really matter and the 13 hour flight to San Francisco was uneventful.
We arrived at San Francisco and guess what the kids suitcase went to Los Angeles. With the $100.00 compensation from QANTAS(pay back for not having time to collect the GST before flying out of Australia) we went shopping.
At first we were all a little confused by the traffic and looking the wrong way when crossing the road but it is getting better after a few hours out. Also I think we were all a little taken aback by the homeless people begging on the streets.
All in bed early ready to catch up on sleep we have missed on the flight. Look forward to tomorrow's tour of San Francisco including Alcatraz.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Leaving for the airport
Sunday 19 September 2010
Have travelled into the city today to stay the night before catching a plane tomorrow. The limo picked us up at one, we then picked up aunty sue, dropped off jaimi and arrived at the Hilton about 3 ish. After a nap snoring could be a problem. Leaving in the morning. YEAH.
Additional comments by Sue: I was told to be ready by 1 to be picked up and thought something was going on when I wasn't told how we were goi0ng to the airport. I waited outside at 1 pm and up drove Tracey and the girls in a limo....nothing like getting to the airport in style!!!!!!!!
Have travelled into the city today to stay the night before catching a plane tomorrow. The limo picked us up at one, we then picked up aunty sue, dropped off jaimi and arrived at the Hilton about 3 ish. After a nap snoring could be a problem. Leaving in the morning. YEAH.
Additional comments by Sue: I was told to be ready by 1 to be picked up and thought something was going on when I wasn't told how we were goi0ng to the airport. I waited outside at 1 pm and up drove Tracey and the girls in a limo....nothing like getting to the airport in style!!!!!!!!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
3 days to go
As we are staying overnight at the Hilton near the airport, and we are going there on Sunday then perhaps we should start to pack............
3 DAYS TO GO
3 DAYS TO GO
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Aunty had a vision – by Sue brown (and edit by Tracey hehe)
I had a vision and pitched it to Tracey who was very agreeable at the time. The vision was to take Rhiannon and Renee to America when they were old enough to enjoy all the fun it presented. I imagined I was going to be the cool Aunty and do all the fun things that I love to do. Little did I think about the possible problems that travelling with teenage girls will present let alone travelling with my SISTER. In any case I realised it was something I wanted to do and it couldn’t be that bad could it? Those that know me will realise the many different scenario’s that have been going through my head since the day I realised this was really going to happen
The saving of the money started many years ago and we now had to make a decision when was the best time to go that would least impact on the girls schooling. We decided to try and work around September 2010. The oganisation of the trip of a life time then started about 18 months prior to this when both Tracey and I listed all the places we wanted to visit. Whether we would be able to fit them all in or for that matter be able to afford to go to all of them it didn’t matter we just wanted a starting point and a ‘wish list’. Once we both had out lists we put them together and discussed those that one of us didn’t want to go to or didn’t feel the need to go to and finally came up with something we could take to the travel agent (the wonderful Wendy).
Wendy gave us some ideas on what would be best for families and what wouldn’t and we started to narrow down the itinerary. Our first draft included a few places that we just wanted to go to because ‘CSI Miami was filmed there’. We really only wanted to go there to say we had been there and seen that. These types of places that would cost a bit just to visit for one night were quickly deleted so we could spend more of our time and money at the important places such as Disneyworld, Orlando and New York shopping :)
Finally we had what we thought was a reasonably good itinerary. It included all the places we really wanted to go to so I was feeling quite good about it at this point. Our original intention was to be away for about 4 weeks and incorporate the school holidays. The girls wouldn’t miss much of school and I could tolerate that amount of time being around other people 24/7. Little did I know this was not how it would work out when we had our final itinerary.
We were originally due to return on 23 October, however, Rhiannon requested that if we were going at that time could we please, please, please stay for Halloween. Lots of tooing and froing back and forth with our travel agent the first draft was completely changed to accommodate enough ‘rest’ days and being in LA for Halloween. The order of cities we were to visit changed and the length of time blew out to 7 weeks. This in turn increased the budget significantly as well. Not that I minded too much as at this stage of the process. I kept saying to myself how bad could it be spending 49 nights sleeping in the same hotel room and three other people. Of course it was all a bit daunting when I thought of it like that but then again I was very excited to be spending this fabulous journey with my much loved nieces (and my delightful, lovely, witty and gorgeous sister (add by me hehe)).
We are in the final stage of preparation with packing bags and arranging things that we will require for our journey. It is with excitement and anticipation of the wonderful things that I will see (even though I have seen them before, seeing them through the eyes of the kids will hopefully give me a different prospective) I start the countdown…………
10 DAYS TO GO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)