Tuscon, Az (Biosphere 2 and Saguaro National Park)

For our first day in Tuscon (which turned out to be a quite interesting place), we zoomed up highway 77 to see Biosphere 2. This is a totally enclosed facility (well, it used to be) where in 1991, eight scientists ('Biospherians', natch) were locked in for two years, and again 6 months later with another seven scientists for 6 months. It's three acres in size, and encloses 8 separate areas (or 'biomes').

The ocean biome - an 850 square meter ocean (including a coral reef). Because the initial missions are now complete, the science being done by Arizona State University now is about plants only - hence, most of the ocean is now a murky algae-filled wet desert, and I could only see Yellow Tangs.

The architecture of Biosphere 2 is quite impressive - based on quadrilateral and triangle geometry. On this clear blue sky day, we could even see condors outside, using the structure as a thermal draft and being lifted high into the Arizona desert.

Now that the human habitat component is empty, the crop areas are now in the process of being redeveloped for re-use. The Landscape Evolution Observatory measures the effect increased carbon dioxide in our atmosphere will have on plants and trees ability to exhale oxygen.

The LEO interior - currently empty. It reminded me of London's Paddington Station roof.

Listening to the mellow laid-back sounds of Cool Hand Luke (thanks, Maddie!), we headed west across the city of Tuscon, to Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountain District) and caught the sunset.

We looked for ages for a cactus shaped like a human, but eventually found this human shaped like a cactus! Mighty nice to meet you, Mr. Cactus.