Biosphere 2, The Story Behind the Glass Domes

I do not know if the information boards were in the visitor center when we were there in 2010. I had time to study them this visit, because Bill and Donna were perusing the gift shop.

a dowager countess of Suffolk & Berkshire lived in AZ?

her 1904 wedding dress

she was not a young thing when she came to AZ

the basics

quite an engineering feat

research carried out by professionals, 

educators, and students middle-school age through college

for the second time, U of A is the owner of Biosphere 2

there have been some changes since 2010

 The day was complete with our plan for dinner...

BBQ ribs & Flatiron steaks at San Tan Flat

I scored big with Wednesday's choice for dinner

The Greek Monastery and the open pit Ray Mine were on Thursday's agenda. 

Biosphere 2-Wednesday's Adventure

Our previous Biosphere 2 visit was in March 2010. I did a lot of research pre and post that visit, so I won't cover that info again. Here are my two blog posts from that visit: Biosphere 2, The Buildings and Part 2 of Biosphere 2.

I find it interesting when I look back at the photos I have taken and the photos from a second or third visit. I take photos of the same things. In other words, what caught my eye the first time, continues to catch my eye every visit. So forgive the photos that may look the same. I will have different ones in this post.

I thought Bill, as a former Earth Science teacher, would enjoy the Biosphere 2 tour. He remembered the story when it appeared in Current Science, but like me, he thought it must have been YEARS before 1991. Our tour guide was a very knowledgeable U of A person, with a ton of energy and WAY too much information. She was good, but I was on overload. So instead of a wealth of info in this post, enjoy the photos and if you want more info, google it or look at my posts from 2010.

biome buildings on the right

living quarters and research areas on the left

the rain forest did not have 80% humidity last Wednesday

the plants are the very same ones planted in 1991

I did not know Frankincense came from a tree

unusual shedding bark

Frankincense leaves

our tour group

love the lines of the dome

the sign said it was an elephant tree

it was in the desert biome

an octopus cactus

a hallway to the mechanical area

the water was/is? recycled 

toilet to tap

she talked about the importance of the experiments and 

research happening in this area

it will be our future

the lung controlled the air pressure when

the Biosphere 2 was sealed during the two

experiences

the lung was a unique invention that prevented

the glass dome from shattering

when she opened the door, we could see the 'table' move towards

the floor as the rubber forced it down

the lung helped control the expanding (heated air)

and contracting (cooled air) in the biomes

part of the living quarters of the scientists

the 8 scientists had their own 2 story quarters

this was the living area

the spiral staircase led to the sleeping area

a bathroom was shared by 2 people

this was the living quarter of Jane Poynter, who continues to

do related research because of her 2 year stay in the Biosphere 2

Remember, the 8 people lived inside the self-sustaining domes for 2 years and 20 minutes. Much was learned through their experiment. I did not realize that press, congressmen, and the general public often was on sight watching the scientists through the glass walls as they went about their work and experiments. And I did not remember that initially, the Biosphere 2 was built as a space station on earth. 

I will do another shorter post about the history of the land and the buildings. That is also quite interesting.

A Busy Week

Last week we had visitors from Watertown. We have waited 5 years for Bill & Donna to visit us in AZ. As their tour guides, we worked very hard to make up for lost time.

They arrived late Monday afternoon. Organ Stop Pizza was on the dinner agenda; a musical show & pizza.

The photos are from previous visit. We had a different organist last Monday. Good show and good pizza.

 Then we stopped at a nearby brew pub for some refreshment and to make plans for the next day.

Donna is a heavy drinker! She had the 7 oz. glass.


Tuesday was a trip to....

Yep! Tortilla Flat. A scenic mountain drive to a unique restaurant, known for their chili, burgers, and outdoor music. I scored points for food choices on day 2. Donna got the traditional girly photos in the bathroom. The photos are on her camera.

Tuesday ended with a happy hour on our deck and plans for Wednesday, a trip to Biosphere 2.

Scottsdale's Museum of the West

This year's Ladies Day Out adventure was in Scottsdale at the newly opened Museum of the West.

wagon wheels on the ceiling

well hidden restroom doors

bronze life-sized statue in the ticket area

This is the focus of the museum,

The Story of Lewis & Clark

through the paintings of Charles Fritz

This was one of my favorite paintings by Fritz.

There is a place along highway 1804 and the Missouri River 

near where I was born that reminded me of this scene. 

This scene is actually south of Pierre along the Missouri River.

The really cool and amazing thing about Fritz's paintings is he traveled the very same journey of Lewis and Clark, wintering where they wintered, struggling through the mountains, camping by the riverbanks. Fritz used the journals and sketches of Lewis and Clark to retrace their journey, taking photographs and painting the landscapes. Along with journal entries on place cards, I had a much better understanding of their undertaking.

and sculptures of various artists, such as this one

by Harry Jackson

Sacajewa and Packhorse

egg/oil tempra on bronze

which sold for $17,550

same statue in bronze only, same artist

not quite a pretty

Toussaint Charbonneau Family, 1806

by Richard Greeves

There were sculptures of many other subjects displayed with Charles Fritz's paintings, but these really captured my interest and were the best of the photos taken.

This little piece of information was news to me:

Sacagawea's child was named Jean Baptiste.

a display of saddles

I am guessing this is a side-saddle

Also on display were a collection of stirrups, lariats, hats, crops & whips, barbwire, mementos of famous characters of the wild west, and much much more.

What do you see?

This painting is by the same artist who paints the horses hidden in the rocks and birch trees. The 3 of us had quite a discussion of what do we see? Nancy pointed out the 3, possibly 4 eyes and thought they were all eagles. It wasn't until I had my photo on the computer that I saw the man on the left, and then the three eagles. Fun painting. No one else was talking about the hidden pictures. It was placed next to the elevator, a probable waiting place. 

Another bronze work by an artist we have seen

in other Scottsdale galleries: Dave McGary

you can see some of his work here

look at the detail of the feathers

keep in mind, this is bronze, not clay

the intricate beadwork detail is amazing

Another Dave McGray

a perfect ending to an awesome day

detail on the back of the buffalo robe

beadwork of the moccasins

glass archway in the rear of the museum

not all the groundwork is complete

Well worth the trip and the achy joints! It is a beautiful building with a variety of artifacts showing the history of the American West, its people and the way they lived. Thanks Nancy & Anne!