The Biosphere 2 is the world's largest science center dedicated to exporing life on Earth. You may remember the Biosphere 2 when in the early 1990's a project included the housing of 8 Biospherians, as they were referred to, for a 2 year period. They remained in the Biosphere for the entire time, raising their food, composting their waste and studying the effects of atmospheric changes on recreated global areas of ocean, desert, savannah's, tropical rain forest and wetlands. Although the media at that time reported the project to be a failure, the scientist proclaim it was highly successful based on the knowledge they retrieved. Part of the tour included viewing the 3+ acre Technosphere where the mechanical systems are housed. The Technosphere is where the air is heated or cooled, humidity levels are maintained and where they can generate rain, fog & supply the ocean. Just to recreate the ocean required bringing in 750 gallons of salt water. Pretty impressive.
Biosphere 2 - 7.2 million cubic feet of sealed glass with 6,500 windows.
We enjoyed the Tohono Chul Park which is Tucsons' equivalent of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Of course their native plants are primarily cactus. I'll spare you this time and not post any pictures, your probably all sick of seeing cactus.
Our ride to Catalina State Park was two fold. They have a campground there that we wanted to check out for a future stay. The campground is surrounded by the Catalina Mountains and makes a very nice setting. The second reason is we wanted to see the park before they close it. Arizona has a 1.6 billion dollar deficit and one of their many cutbacks is to close 21 of their 30 state parks. At this time this park is earmarked to be closed unless they can come up with another way to fund it. As it is they charge a $6.00 entry fee. I'm not use to having to pay to use a state park like Babler, but I guess you pay to see the mountains???
Arizona has also closed several of their interstate rest areas. We were spoiled coming through Texas with a rest area every 100 miles and even New Mexico had an adequate number. We use a publication named "Exit Now" which gives you every rest area, truck stop, fuel stop, restaurants etc by exit number. Of course this resource was printed before the state of Arizona decided to close their rest areas. We like to stop often to change drivers, eat lunch or just take a short walk. It really played havoc with my planning when every other rest area was closed.
We toured Sabino Canyon with friends - Tom & Sue, we met at the Escapees meeting in Gila Bend. They sold their house in Maryland and are renting a condo in Tucson as they try to decide if they want to buy an RV. Although we picked a rainy, chilly day it was still a nice 45 minute tram ride through the canyon. Most of the time it is dry, but they have had enough rain and melted snow from Mtn Lemmon that the washes were overflowing onto the road.
Sabino Canyon rock formations
Felt fortunate that there was water running through the canyon. Makes such a pretty and peaceful site.
Parts of the trip was a little scary with the narrow road and drop offs.
Tom, Sue Ron & Joan
After our tour to the canyon we joined Tom & Sue at their condo's potluck dinner. Not sure we were suppose to be there as non owners or renters but we went anyway...had dinner, meet a few people and had a nice evening.
Hope all is well!
Joan & Ron
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