Nuclear subs were based at Mare Island. It was rare to see one heading out and I used to wonder if they'd submerge to sneak by the Soviet Consulate, which was strategically placed on Lyon Street to overlook the gate. Anyway, I was headed across the bridge when I spotted the sub near Alcatraz. So I took the exit and headed up to a good vantage point for a photo. Screaming Senator Barb Boxer made a big deal about the $1000 toilet seats which were installed on submarines. But one sub officer who used to come into my bike shop said "there's no such thing as a $1000 toilet seat. There's a $10 toilet seat and $990 worth of stuff we can't talk about."