It's About the (RV) Journey....: Biosphere 2 and Catalina State Park.......

Tom and I were looking forward to a trip to Biosphere 2! This giant earth science lab was built in the late '80's and early 90's as a closed system, with five representative biomes, such as rainforest, fog desert, ocean, etc. Living quarters for scientists and an agricultural area (for farming food) were also included in this closed system. From 1991 to 1993, eight scientists lived and worked in the Biosphere, farming and growing their own food, as well as conducting scientific experiments. Nothing was brought in.......they had to be self-sufficient, AND had to work as well. (No stopping at the supermarket on the way home from work, or ordering in pizza). The purpose of the Biosphere was to conduct numerous experiments in a closed environment - examining human interaction and ecology, and global ecology, among other things. Read all about it here and follow some of the links for some very interesting stories and of course, controversy. Other links that may be interesting are here and here.

about an hour's drive fromTucson

I think we're here now

the road driving in

where is it?

okay...there it is! It really is isolated.

an overview of some of the facilities

was lab personnel/student housing in the past-now empty

little mini oak leaves!

heading down for the start of the tour

ready?

Phenology-a new word for me! Sounds interesting!!

this was the ocean biome...back in the day

rain forest biome

check out that thick and healthy bamboo

these biomes are not separated from each other

posters at various locations

A crowd pleaser-this is the "lung" of the building. Allows for expansion/contraction of the air within the structure so the windows don't break. Fascinating!

very cool!

the 5 biomes were in that glassed in area

living quarters for the scientists....this is the kitchen...they took turns cooking....

the marine biology lab...great labeling on the fridge...hahaha

note the MSDS! Good!

each biospherian scientist had their own living quarters

sleeping area up the spiral staircase

The Biosphere is no longer a closed system, and is now owned by the University of Arizona. It is currently an educational and research facility. A very large experiment is currently being set up. Its called LEO-Landscape Evolutionary Observatory-and the purpose is to study the terrestrial water cycle in the mountainous desert. As you can imagine, water is an especially valuable commodity in the desert. To understand the water cycle and the landscape (how the water cycle influences the landscape/how the landscape influences the water cycle) will help in making future decisions concerning scarcity of water and changing environment, which is compounded by "warming climates and increasing population". (Think climate change and city planning).

Which leads to my own personal question.... how is there enough water here in this desert environment to support the millions of people who live here? (I read that Phoenix gets an average of 8 inches of rain per year-and the population is about 3 million).

It rains/snows more in the mountains, and that water finds its way into the valley. One of the questions LEO may be able to answer is how and where? Perhaps information learned in the study will aide in increasing the volume of water in the area.

As our tour guide commented, having no water would be devastating to the area. Imagine millions of people not only without water, but the economic impact of having to move and not being able to sell your house, business loss, etc. It would be devastating on many levels. (The drought in California is a shining example that it could happen). Lots of serious environmental questions.....

Oh, and if you ever plan to visit the Biosphere 2 or anything else in the Tucson area, keep in mind the coupon booklet I mentioned in the last post. Just sayin'.

Posters on LEO-the current experiment being set up now

this is the LEO lab...being set up.

another view

educational area

energy controls in those 3 buildings back there on the right...manned 24/7

experimenting with solar panels?

the area was stunning

We passed by Catalina State Park on the way back from the Biosphere 2, so we pulled in to check it out. State parks are usually really good! So, we picked up a map and looked it over as we ate our picnic lunch. For more information on the park, click here.

welcome to Catalina State Park

the picnic area

The Romero Ruin trail looked good to us, as it would go by some ruins, with explanations right on the trail. We wanted to be sure to be on the short trail though, as there is also a Romero Canyon trail that is about 8 miles long. We didn't want to be on the wrong trail because it was already midafternoon, and we only had a couple hours of daylight left, among other reasons...hahhah.

okay...now I'm ready to walk

going across the sandy wash

heading up, as usual

how cool is that?

the views were great

pretty

The trail was fun and easy, meandering through the desert. We happened upon a couple of plein air artists! Very cool! Not sure what they were painting....the cactus or the mountain, or both. A tough decision, I'm sure.

plein air painter

painting the cactus or the mountain, or both?

There were numerous ruins to view...mainly pieces of rock foundations of the wall around the community as well as the foundation rocks for the pueblos of the Hohokum people. It was pretty interesting, but I have to admit they were just rocks to me. I was more impressed with the scenery. I know....

remains of the Hohokum village wall

pueblo wall

As we were walking, we heard quite a commotion in the brush and I must have jumped straight up about 3 feet! We looked around to see what it was and ....it was just that innocent looking bird over there. No bobcat or mountain lion...whew!

this bird made lots of noise!!

isn't that pretty?

enjoying the views

We had a little more time, so we explored the nature trail, which was just a mile as well. There are way more trails in the park, but we only did 2 short trails. It really was too late in the day. Really! So, the Nature Trail starts with a very short very steep climb up sand. Ugh. But, once that's over with, its a really easy, short and enjoyable hike. The views were great.

time to walk the nature trail...only a mile

okay...this is the correct trail

really cool

the view from the top

just so cool

I like this trail...its really well maintained too

great views everywhere

this cactus looks like its dancing

more great views

if the land could talk....peace out:)

So, on the way home, driving through Tucson, I spotted this sign while we were stopped at a red light. I didn't realize zombie stuff was still in vogue. Check out the website name...eewww. I can only imagine. We also passed by the "big A" mountain. Just a bit of the sights a few minutes from our campground.