Cacti

We have been exploring the desert and the many different cacti that grow here. We first spent a day in the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix learning about the different cacti and plants that grow in the desert. The Botanical Gardens also had some very large unique free standing glass displays that looked like cactus.

Then we spent a day going thru Saguaro National Park that is next to Tucson. We took lots of pictures of the giant cacti. The saguaro is the largest cacti in the US and lives between 150 to 200 years. They generally start branches or arms after 75 years. So when I see saguaro with branches, I know it is at least 75 years. They are really are majestic.

We visited the BIOSPHERE 2 north of Tucson AZ:
The name “Biosphere 2” derives from the idea that it is modeled on Earth, the first biosphere.

Biosphere 2 facility
3.14 acre Biosphere facility
7,200,000 cubic feet of sealed glass, 6,500 windows
91 feet at highest point
sealed from the earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner
40-acre campus
300,000 sq. ft. of administrative offices, classrooms, labs, conference center, housing

Ecosystems under glass
Ocean with coral reef
Mangrove wetlands
Tropical rainforest
Savannah grassland
Fog desert

Mechanics of the Biosphere
The Biosphere was setup as a mini earth ecosystem and is totally contained except for electrical power is outside the sealed biosphere. There are living quarters, laboratories, food growing, and mechanical areas within the sealed Biosphere 2. The internal systems include water treatment, wastewater treatment, and air system. The biosphere has a large “lung” that allows the structure to be sealed and have changes in barometric pressure that normally occurs within our atmosphere.

Current Biosphere 2 Mission
To serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.
· Catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future;
· Be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public;
· Distill issues related to Earth systems planning and management for use by policymakers, students and the public.

Additional Information can be obtained from the website:
http://www.b2science.org/

Our Anniversary

It has been one full year since we moved into the 5th wheel trailer full time and started our new adventure as retirees. In that time we have traveled as far south as Brownsville, Texas; as far east as South Carolina and the coast; as far north as Wyoming, and as far west as southern California. Not quite coast to coast, but close. In all those miles and living 24/7 with ourselves in a little over 300 square feet, we have survived. Not only survived, but we discovered that we really like this lifestyle. This is our home on our site in Mesa, AZ.

Barrett-Jackson

Okay here is a question for you. What kind of collector vehicle would you fantasize owning? We went to the Barrett-Jackson collectors auction yesterday on the 18th of January and believe me, I found so many cars that I would love to own, if I had more money than I knew what to do with. Some of the cars for sale in this auction are the ambulance that transported John F Kennedy to the hospital, a Lincoln that belonged to Elvis Presley, a 69 Camaro owned by Bret Michaels and on and on and on. All kinds of vehicles including covered wagons, stage coaches all the way up to new. Needless to say this kid did not bid/buy anything and did not touch anything either. The auctioneer was so fast, I barely could understand what he was saying and the current bid was posted on a board that had the price in dollars, canadian and euros. What an exciting day!

Mesa, Arizona

We have traveled to Mesa, Arizona around the first of the year. Yeah! Civilization again! Groceries, stores, malls, restaurants, Starbucks! When we were in Quartzsite, the closest grocery store of any size was over 20 miles away. Now groceries are just down the street. We are in a resort that has both park models and spaces for RV's. All kinds of activities are numerous and frequent. If you are bored, it is your own fault. There is a canal just outside of the resort and is a great place to take the dogs for long walks

Palm Canyon

Palm Canyon is located about 20 miles South of Quartzsite Arizona. Perhaps the only native palm trees within Arizona are tucked away in this narrow, rugged canyons on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Since Palm Trees do not produce annual growth rings like shade trees, it's very diffcult to say how old the trees might be. In Palm Canyon, the palm trees are able to survive in the narrow side canyons where direct sunshine is limited but some moisture is available. The survival of these trees is directly dependent on the mircoclimate in this protected canyon. The walls of the canyon a formed from rhyolite, a volcanic rock.

Yuma Territorial Prison

We visited the Yuma Territorial Prison when in Yuma. The prision was in operation from July 6, 1876 until September 15, 1909. this prison has been written about in many western storis and movies. The living conditions at the prison are very diffcult, and add the summer heat (in tripple digits) with no air conditioning. For this time in history this was a very secure prison with cell wall amost two feet thick and reinforced with steel. In the following picture you can see the amount of steel reinforcing they used in the partical walls. This steel was intended to stop inmates from digging through the walls and get into the prison yard. There were also adobe walls around the prison yard.