Biosphere 2, A Closed-System Study, Oracle, Arizona

Today we visited Biosphere 2 located in Oracle, Arizona.

Biosphere 2 was built to be an artificial, materially-closed ecological system.

The building covers 3.15 acres and in the early 1990's was used to explore the complex web of interactions within life systems.

Named after Planet Earth, which is Biosphere 1, the facility allowed the study and manipulation of a biosphere without harming Earth.

Two closed missions were undertaken in Biosphere 2. The first lasted two years starting September 26, 1991 with a crew of four men and four women making Biosphere 2 their home. The second mission lasted six months in 1994 with five men and two women.

Passing the kitchen and dining area, we venture into the crew's living quarters.

Each crew member had their own two-story apartment with living room and bedroom while sharing a bathroom with one other crew member.

Three crew members from the first mission...

Here we are walking through an airlock into one of Biosphere 2's biomes.

Biosphere 2's ocean has one million gallons of water and its own coral reef.

The temperature and climate of each of Biosphere 2's biomes can be changed in just a matter of minutes.

The guided tour takes visitors through the building's various biomes and underneath the structure to see some of the mechanics of the facility. Here we are in the Upper Savanna Basement.

In order to view the Iron Lung, you must walk through this tunnel.

Inside one of Biosphere 2's Iron Lungs, visitors get an understanding of the danger of implosion in a closed system. The membrane hanging from the ceiling falls and rises as needed to equalize the pressure within Biosphere 2.

The energy plant of Biosphere 2...

Doug stands in one of the forests.

Here are a couple exterior shots of Biosphere 2.

Click here for a brief video of Biosphere 2 found on YouTube. Many others can also be found.

Here is a shot of a cactus.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Pinal County Historical Museum & Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona

Next we headed through Arizona, stopping between Phoenix and Tucson at Desert Shadows RV Resort in Casa Grande.

We decided to spend a couple of hours washing the motorhome.

The next day someone came to make a minor repair on one of our Dometic roof air conditioners.

We found out that Arizona is a large producer of cotton.

Marlon stands beside a huge bale of cotton.

Next, we visited the Pinal County Historical Museum in Florence, Arizona, which is known for some unique collections.

One such collection is a large assortment of furniture made from various types of cactus.

Since Florence has about 10,000 residents and about 14,000 prisoners, the museum has also come to be known for its prison-related items.

This gallows trapdoor was actually used for hangings.

The nooses displayed on the wall are the actual ropes used for all the hangings which ever took place in Pinal County. Ropes were used for only one hanging, with the exception of four prisoners who felt like brothers and requested the same rope be used for them all.

The dual electric chair in front came in handy when two executions were scheduled on the same day.

Next we visited Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in nearby Coolidge, Arizona.

This "Great House" was occupied by the ancient Sonoran Desert people about 700 years ago. It is protected from the sun by a canopy.

Marlon points at another ancient structure.

Along with the "Great House", you can also view ancient ball courts where it is believed games were played with hard rubber balls.

You can also view at least a few cacti.

The museum at the National Monument features a model of the "Great House" as it would have appeared in the 14th century.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...

Las Vegas, Nevada Part 3

Today we found the Pinball Hall of Fame. The admission is free but bring money to play.

Over 100 pinball machines and video games are included in the collection. Nearly brand-new machines and vintage machines dating back to 1948 can be played.

Doug plays one of the vintage pinball machines.

A vintage popcorn machine serves up fresh non-vintage popcorn for one quarter.

The pop machine literally drops the can even from the top row. A sign warns thirsty buyers to "Open Can Slowly". Duh...

The oldest pinball machine on display in the building is this Ron-Dee-Voo game from 1948.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is located across the street from the recently closed Liberace Museum.

The museum was the anchor of its own strip mall for over 20 years.

Nice picture of the Las Vegas sky.

Looking down on the Las Vegas Strip from one of the skywalks.

We have seen several Cirque Du Soleil shows in the past so tonight we went to see Zumanity at New York New York. Entertaining? Yes. Favorite? No.

For more pictures, click here .

To be continued...