AUG 4, 23 .. ALCATRAZ FEDERAL PENITENTIARY AND ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CA

Because I never have a clue in a carload of what my friends will send me, even I, your Captain, do not know for sure from day to day what is coming here on dotnet. I doubt if even The Shadow Knows! This Post is one good example.

Beginning in the Autumn of 1965, I lived in the City of San Francisco, with a few years in Pacifica and Daly City, for somewhere around 37 years. Because Alcatraz is part and parcel of San Francisco history, I certainly know about it.

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ALCATRAZ FEDERAL PENITENTIARY AND ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO BAY

For more than you ever want to know about the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, click on the below Wikipedia link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz_Federal_Penitentiary

As the above reference indicates, Alcatraz Penitentiary is located on Alcatraz Island.

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Matthew D is a long time friend and associate of mine. We met in Royal Oak, Michigan, several decades ago. Matthew was living on the same street that I grew up on. He now lives in the Santa Barbara, California, area.

The other day, OUT OF THE BLUE, I received the below photo from Matthew. In the background of the below photo, you can see Alcatraz Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island. 

In his text Matthew said words to the effect : Three Crazies Swam From Alcatraz to San Francisco.

Do I have your attention? Trust me! No one just goes to Alcatraz Island and swims back to San Francisco!

San Francisco Bay is a busy international sea port with gigantic trans oceanic ships navigating within it! At its widest, San Francisco Bay is 13 miles across. At its deepest, the Bay is 357 ft. 

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I texted : Matthew! Please text me The Story of you three in wet suits on San Francisco Bay at Alcatraz Island. Were you kayaking? Did you have to get some sort of official permit?

Then, before I received a reply from Matthew, I “went on line” and Googled : Swim Alcatraz To San Francisco.

Voila! You will get 799,000 results in 0.40 Seconds!

See for yourself.. It’s a fun link to read..

https://www.odysseyopenwater.com/alcatraz

The above Odyssey Website begins with these words : Have you always wanted to swim from Alcatraz? You’re not alone. Swimming from Alcatraz is one of the most famous, desirable, and enjoyable open water swims (wild swim) in the entire world. Despite lore that swimming from Alcatraz is dangerous, for experienced swimmers with proper support, swimming from Alcatraz can be safe and fun.

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THE REST OF THE STORY

Again, before I received a reply from Matthew, I texted Matthew : I found Odyssey Swim. Did you go with them?

Matthew then texted me several texts ..

Me and some buddies from the fellowship swam from Alcatraz Island to the mainland.

A company takes you to the island and they have boats and kayakers to make sure you’re doing OK. Just an idea a friend had and I jumped on board. I’ve been taking open water swimming classes at the College here in Santa Barbara.

I gained faith beyond my belief.

Yes we went with Odyssey Swim. It cost us $240 for our group.

His second photo.

There you have it! 

Smiling from ear to ear!

Cap and Patti

Do you all see why we keep thanking you for your contributions? Without YOU we could not possibly continue to publish Posts here on dotnet.

And? After this Post was published, Linda 32312 sent the two below photos that she took of Alcatraz during a visit to San Francisco on June 14, 2009.

From Pier 39.

From Telegraph Hill.

Thank YOU Linda 32312! Cap and Patti

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