Biospheres, Bees & Burritos

Tucson, Arizona: My brother and his wife flew into Tucson late last night and are staying in a nearby hotel. They came over this morning and we all drove 40 miles to visit Biosphere 2. I am not a scientist. I am not scientific... but anyway... here is my quick explanation of Biosphere 2 after our guided tour: A really rich dude was interested in science and wanted to build an experimental environmentally-controlled community where eight scientists would live for two years - virtually sealed inside their own private world. They would grow their own food and be responsible for maintaining the equipment necessary to operate the enclosures. Two years later, the scientists emerged, quite a bit leaner. Some say it was a success, some say it was not. Then Columbia University took over the facility and built student-housing. Now Biosphere 2 is managed by the University of Arizona.

Biosphere 2


Another view

There are several climate "regions" inside the enclosure. The environments can be controlled - the temperature, amount of oxygen in the air, rain - everything, can be manipulated. Each area even has insects. For food during the two-year experiment, the residents raised goats, chickens and tilapia fish. They grew a huge variety of vegetables and fruits - and even coffee.

 This is the desert region


The ocean environment


The tropical environment. It was hot and steamy in here.


Another view of Biosphere 2


DT at Biosphere 2


Student housing apartments built by Columbia University -
now used as housing for a conference center


The beautiful view from the compound

After our tour, we were asked to take a survey. One of the questions was "would you recommend that others visit Biosphere 2?" I said yes. "Would you visit again?" I said no. Happy I went there and think anyone would enjoying seeing the experimental scientific community - seriously, it is so unusual. But I wouldn't go back.

NOTES: The parking lot is large and can handle RV's. Though much of the site is wheelchair accessible, the guided tour involves a lot of walking and a lot of stairs, up and down. There is also a 200 foot tunnel to walk through, so if you are claustrophobic, rethink this venture. I can't image a kid under 10 or 12 would enjoy a visit to Biosphere 2. Gift shop, cafe, restrooms on site. No pets.

We returned to the hotel and RV park to rest before dinner. This evening a huge swarm of honey bees came into the campground. The bees are traveling somewhere and just pulled-in for the night. Guess they couldn't afford a full hook-up pull-through campsite, so they just huddled for warmth in the orange tree on Mom & Dad's campsite. Word is they will be gone in the morning. Strangest dang thing.

Look at the brown mass at the top of this tree!


The bee ball was about one foot wide. My camera has a 15x digital zoom (thank goodness)

For dinner we all went into downtown Tucson to one of the most popular and famous Mexican restaurants in the country (and the oldest), El Charro Cafe. We have been here countless times before, yet never miss a chance for a meal at El Charro when we are in Tucson.

Beautiful poster art on the annual El Charro calendar


Soft chicken taco and the famous El Charro beef taco

El Charro Cafe claims to be the creator of the chimichanga. According to the legend, the owner/cook accidently dropped a burrito into the deep fryer and started to shout a Spanish expletive beginning with a "ch" sound... but since there were small children within ear-shot, shouted "chimichanga" instead. (Chimichanga is the Spanish equivalent of "whatchamacallit".) The deep-fried burrito was delicious and a new artery-buster was born!

Tonight we tried tacos, burritos and chimichangas. Portions are way too large here though, so I just ordered two tacos ala carte. (What a saint.) I had my favorite soft-shell chicken taco and the original taco El Charro has been making for around 90 years - a beef taco. El Charro prepares their beef taco by frying a hamburger patty, and folding it in half inside a tortilla. How about that? It is then topped with shredded lettuce, cabbage and pico de gallo. And for some reason, a few canned peas.

Until my next update, I remain, your Biospheric correspondent.

RV Park: Beaudry's RV Resort