Biosphere 2

Just like an episode from Discovery Channel. Steve and I spent most of today at Biosphere 2. For those of you that do not remember Biosphere 2 is where 4 women and 4 men lock themselves in a three-acre green house in the Arizona desert for two years, completely cut off from the outside world. Nothing in or out - no food, no water, not even air. They produced everything they needed to survive from their miniature rain forest, Savannah, desert, marsh, ocean and farm. Read more about the adventure in The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2, by Jane Poynter

A view of their miniature ocean and beach.

The desert.

The rain forest...Steve and I thought it would be wonderful to have our picture taken in the rain forest...never dreaming that you would not be able to see us.

Road Trip

Five Days off equals a road trip! Steve and I left Tucson Thursday morning with San Diego as our destination.

First Stop was the Territorial Prison at Yuma, AZ.

The Prison housed 3069 prisoners from 1876 to 1909.

Steve had to see just "how much space" was in a cell.

Second stop was San Diego Bay...our hotel was located on Harbor Drive and this was our view of the Bay.

We began exploring the Bay...Steve couldn't wait to see the USS Midway.

Thursday evening included dinner on the Bay watching this beautiful sunset.

Friday morning we set out to explore Seaport Village...this sculpture is located near the USS Midway at Tuna Harbor Park. This 25 foot sculpture captures the black and white image of a sailor kissing a young nurse in Time Square on August 14, 1945.

Steve loved to just sit by the water and enjoy the breeze. Also, he loved exploring at Captain's Cove...he is a pirate at heart.

Next stop was the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military. The 16 bronze sculptures represent a typical Bob Hope Road Show.

As we continued to explore the Bay area Steve had to visit the Maritime Museum. First, was the HMS Surprise the movie "Master and Commander" was filmed on. Then we toured the USS Dolphin a diesel-electric submarine and Foxtrot B-39 a Soviet Attack Submarine.

Saturday morning we adventured to the Gaslamp Quarter...the Horton Grand Hotel is located in Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel was home to Wyatt Earp when he moved from Tombstone, AZ to San Diego, CA. The hotel was moved from Horton Plaza to it's present location at a cost of 12 million dollars.

The view of San Diego Bay from the Coronado Bridge as we traveled to Coronado Island.

Then we were off to Balboa Park...home of the largest pipe organ and the San Diego Zoo (the largest zoo in the United States).

Lastly, we enjoyed lunch in Little Italy.













What a wonderful 4 days with mild temperatures and cool breezes from the Bay. We are back in Tucson and getting ready for the work week.

Hiking Mt. Lemmon

Steve and Dick spent Friday hiking on Mt. Lemmon at an elevation of 8000 feet. Mt. Lemmon is still recovering from the devastating Aspen Fire of 2003 that burned over 84,000 acres and 340 homes.

Horseback Riding in Sonoita, AZ

Steve, Mollie and Darla enjoyed the Arizona Horseback Experience...which was a 3 hour horseback ride to 6000 feet.

Grand Canyon with Mollie and Darla

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 we boarded the Grand Canyon Railway for scenic trip to the Grand Canyon.
The four of us enjoyed great food, conversation and relaxation on the 2 hour trip into the canyon.

When we arrived at the Grand Canyon we were taken on a bus tour of the South Rim...the pictures show a storm rolling in from the South,

Note the trail used by the mules that carry sightseers into the canyon...it is only 3-5 feet wide with a 3000 foot drop.

This is the third time that Steve and I have visited the canyon and it is always an amazing site to behold.