Biosphere-2
This day was the day I was supposed to get on the road and head for home. However, Martie told me that the Biosphere-2 was nearby and I've always wanted to see it, so I delayed my departure by one day.

We would begin our day by going over to Harbor Freight Tools. Martie and I both wanted one of the remote-reading infrared-thermometers that Harry demonstrated the night before. The device is very useful for checking the temperature of dual tires like those we have on our motorhomes. An imbalance in the temperature of the dual tires can be an indication of one tire having lower air pressure before a dangerous failure of the tire. Like Harry said, "Finding one possible failure situation before a failure happens more than pays for the remote thermometer."

When we arrived at the tool store they were in the midst of a parking lot sale. While trying to find the remote thermometer I felt as if I was in a tool-man's toy store. I went up and down every isle looking at everything without finding the device I really came for. I moved from the parking lot to the inside of the store where I knew I wasn't going to get away without buying more than planned.

I don't know how long we were in the store, but I had looked up and down every isle without finding the remote thermometer. I finally asked about the device I was seeking and was shown where it was located. It was no wonder I couldn't find it, the device was located in a locked cabinet that had no lighting making it difficult to see what was on display inside. When the cabinet was opened Martie and I picked up a remote thermometer. Now with the one item I came for and the shopping cart full of stuff I didn't know I needed, I checked out.

Now we headed north of Tucson to find our way to the Biosphere-2 location. Martie drove and again I was given the opportunity to take photos along the way. As the car gained altitude we caught up with a small rain cloud that dumped sprinkles on us. Fortunately the light-rain stopped suddenly as we drove out from under the showering cloud.

Rain visited us for a short time on our way to the Biosphere-2

After a short winding drive in the nearby mountains, the Biosphere-2 complex appeared. I was seeing a sight I've wanted see for many years and it looked much bigger than I had imagined. Martie and I walked around the outside of the complex for a while. I took a few photos and was able to get a bit of a preview of what we would see later. I asked Martie to take an "I was here" photo of me with part of the Biosphere-2 in the background.

This photo shows that Maury really was at Biosphere-2 — Photo by Martie

When Martie and I entered the lobby I bought tickets for the last tour of the day. But first we went into the theater to view a short video about what we were going to see. After watching the movie we found our way to the tour assembly area where the tour guide was gathering her group together. While waiting for our tour to begin we looked around a small display area. Behind a window was a display of typical living quarters revealing a small, efficient room with part of the area being upstairs.

Off to one side of the waiting area was a plant that had grown in a twisted manner around some of the structural components. It occurred to me that the plant looked as if it my send out a tentacle to capture anything that didn't move. It looked as if you might not want to take a nap near this green thing.

Keep moving when going near this plant that looks as if its part critter

I hadn't paid attention to the time and I thought the tour-group that was assembling was our tour. However, we actually joined the next-to-last tour and it turned out to be a good thing we did because our tour guide turned out to be very good at what she did.

We learned that Biosphere-2 is a closed environment where the basic components needed by living organisms can be controlled. The area can be sealed from the outside world, precipitation can be controlled with artificial rain We were led through the many distinct areas of this small model of our planet. In some cases there were unintended consequences when some experiments introduced unexpected insects, bacteria and so on.

Artificial rain can be provided by sprinkler heads

Our group was guided to an area that overlooked a forested area below as we were told about the environment of what we were seeing. Looking across the ocean area I saw some people looking in from the outside. There presence really emphasized the scale of the structure that supports the glass that encloses the biosphere.

Looking across the biosphere — notice the people on the lower left

Our group is being told about the environment we see

Our tour group moved to a desert area where we heard about crazy ants and boojum trees. The strange name is for a tree that looks strange as well. Even though the tree looks unusual, it is well adapted for the dry climate of the area where it lives.

Here we see a boojum tree

After spending time above ground we were guided to the underworld where we saw the utilities and infrastructure that supports all that goes on in the biosphere. One thing that is noticed right away is that the floor in the basement is not level. Then it can be seen that water is present on the floor of the basement. To protect people from slipping, the floor is covered with a ribbed rubber tile that is slip resistant which allows the water to flow underfoot.

Our group tours the underground utility area

Our route took us next to the ocean area. Even thought the ocean is small as oceans go, it is very effective for studying the ocean environment. At one point there was a coral reef that grew in the ocean. A natural looking wave action was rolling over the ocean to break gently on a sandy shore. In this area many very large rocks can be seen. We were told that the really big rocks are artificial and made from concrete. The rocks look very real even up close.

Even though these rocks look real they are very good fakes

After passing the ocean we were ushered into a rain-forest area which was VERY damp. if you could get more that 100% relative humidity this place would have it. It appeared as if we were in a dense fog as we traversed this part of the biosphere. Everything was dripping with water including the lens of my camera before we left the rain-forest.

This environment is very damp

As we left the rain forest we were led to a very low and narrow hallway that took us to a place I would not have anticipated. The first utility hallway was low and narrow enough, but it led to one that was even lower and more narrow. So closed in that it could bring on a attack of claustrophobia if it wasn't so short. As we exited the small corridor it opened into a very dramatic place. We had entered one of the "lungs" of the facility. There are a total of three "lungs" like the one we were in.

Kat is a great tour guide

It seems as if the air in the biosphere expands when the sun shines on the structure. Without the "lungs", we were told that the windows enclosing the structure would be blown out. So there are three buildings that are designed to expand during the daytime and contract during the chill of the night. It has to be seen to understand the scale of these interesting devices. The pressure inside the "lung" was demonstrated by opening a door to the outside world for us to make our exit. When the door opened there was a tremendous rush of air that continued as we walked through the door. As our group took a few minutes for everyone to get outside; the lung could be seen collapsing.

This was the end of the tour at which time Martie and I took our time getting back to the visitors center and gift shop. On the way we saw a roadrunner zipping along the landscaping. At one point I saw that some of the cacti plants were about to bloom. I was told that in about two weeks the who desert would be in bloom. Even so, I did get to see several of the native desert plants beginning to display colorful blossoms.

Inside a "lung" — you really must see it in operation

Plant life on the Biosphere grounds

As we headed home Martie said she wanted to introduce me to a friend. So away we went off into the nearby hills to a beautiful gated community that provided great views of the city below. As the sun was setting the lights began to light up below. Even with the "Dark sky" policy there still are lights that can be seen from this location.

Martie introduced me to her friend Phil and we seemed to hit it off right away. I really enjoyed my time with Martie and Phil. Phil has a sly sense of humor that I like. None of us had eaten dinner so we all piled into my car and took off to find a place to eat. There were two places mentioned as places to choose from. Each of us said something like, "It doesn't matter to me" with nobody making a decision. Finally when I saw that one place appeared to have a line and the other didn't I suggested that we go the Cracker Barrel restaurant because there would be no wait to be seated.

A nice view from Phil's backyard

A closer version of the view from Phil's backyard

As it turned out this was the same restaurant where my late-wife and I had breakfast with friends as we got ready to get back on the road in 2007; it was her last trip. For a brief time the thought of my late-wife's last trip here made me a bit sad. However, I recovered quickly and I really enjoyed my dinner and the visiting we did during this time together.

After dinner it didn't take long to get back to Phil's place where Martie and I said our "Goodbyes." It took a while to get home, but once there I retired to my motorhome to what had become my end of the day routine. It had been a very full day that was more interesting than I would have imagined.

[ SUMMARY ]

[ PREV ]

[ NEXT ]

[ RV FUN TRIPS ]

Disclaimer Contact Us
Copyright 2009, RVFunTrips.com. All rights reserved.