Monday, July 26, 2010

Weekend away ---TUCSON!!

As we were driving into the parking lot of the BIOSPHERE 2, we spotted this rattlesnake laying in the middle of the road, it had been raining and was only 82 degrees outside, so he thought it was a cool place to lay!!I wish we had ran it over and killed it, I HATE SNAKES!!

I will edit this for all my dear friends who might be offended by that statement, I would Never kill any animal that I have intruded on their SPACE, if it crawled into my yard, I might have someone kill it or Remove it quickly. So sorry if that joke made anyone upset!!
The BIOSPHERE 2
Going through the Steel airlock doorway
The modern kitchen used by the 8 scientists that lived here for 2 years.
Upon stepping through the steel airlock that once separated the eight Biospherians from the outside world in the early 1990s, one will find him or herself astounded by the sheer scale of Biosphere 2, which encompasses two and a half football fields.
Biosphere 2, located in the desert a few miles outside of Oracle, Ariz., is one of the few places on earth where one can experience the planet's most diverse environments in the course of a single afternoon. The desert area, because plants do not produce oxygen at the same time, it was imperative to have all kinds of plants inside as desert plants give us much needed oxygen when other plants are dormant for the winter!!It was HOT inside this area, as the enclosure is developed for each sections correct weather, the biodome makes its own weather.
After traveling down a long steel tunnel, out tour guide concluded the tour in one of the facility's two geodesic lungs. He explained that the Biosphere's lungs help to circulate air and prevent an explosion when the facility is completely isolated from the outside world.
Us inside the RAIN FOREST!!

Upon entering the rainforest biome, one will immediately notice the sharp increase in humidity from the abundance of plant life that covers almost every square inch of surface.

They can measure the amount of CO2 that is produced from a single leaf of the rainforest,the research is helping to determine how one plant can impact an entire ecosystem.Currently the University of Arizona owns this facility and conducts tests , but it was once operated by Columbia University.
the trail meanders along a 40-foot cliff ledge overlooking the Biosphere's 1 million-gallon tropical ocean, the largest body of saltwater at its elevation in the country.
the fish and active coral reef inside
Finally, the tour takes visitors through the subterranean technosphere, where the Biosphere's artificial climate controls are located. Our guide explained that researchers are able to control every variable of the biosphere ranging from temperature and humidity to inducing a flood or drought. This building is known as the LUNGS..we got to this area via that long steel narrow tunnel!!
These buildings are the Energy Center
because of the air pressure inside the LUNG, when you step out it is VERY WINDY!!here is my friend Donna coming out!!
Look at my HAIR!!!After being inside for an hour or so, with all that heat and Humidity, it is crazy!!
Our good friends Scott and Donna
MY hubby got acknowldeged for his 30 years with the company and 25 years as a Manager!!I am so Proud of his Hard work everyday and for all those years!!
We always Play Left-Right-Center!!!We had about 20 people playing so if you won that is $60.00 you win!!!I did not win any of the games I played!!It was so much fun though.
Hanging out on the terrace chatting away!!
The Gorgeous Lowe's Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ
Some pics of the lovely lobby
a huge fireplace, not used while we were there!!
This was the happening place Sat. night. They had a very good live band in there.
ON Sat. morning after a yummy breakfast we headed out to Sabino Canyon for a tour onboard one of these trams, no hiking for us in that heat!!We crossed over 9 of these 1 lane bridges and everyone had water flowing under them!!
Us girls, Donna, Jennifer and I
The creek has a reddish golden color to it. SO pretty.
One of those amazing waterfalls
A natural rock dam!!
The rock formation also known as Snoopy rock, he is once again lying on his back with his big belly sticking up!!
so beautiful!!
My hubby chatting away with a friend.
Part of the gang in the lovely pool!!
My BFF and I poolside!!The poolside lunch was so good, Nachos and guacamole for me along with endless glasses of Iced tea and 1 Prickly Pear margarita, yes I mean Prickly Pear Cactus Margaritas!!
The ZUMBA girls!!Doing our best Zumba pose!!
Zumba Class, one of my friends from Tucson, her husband is a Manager down there, teaches Zumba classes and it was my first time, I LOVED it!!SO much fun and it is definitely a work out!!I am taking the pic but believe me I participated(my butt and legs can tell you that)
Not a bathtub for 2 more like a bathtub for 4, loved this, I had to use this, pure bliss!!
The bathroom had a TV, I want one in my bathroom!
They provided buses for everyone to get to the right restaurants. With over 150 people we needed 6 buses as we got to choose between 6 different locations.
Our group had dinner at Pinnacle Peak, there is also one in Scottsdale, AZ. It is a tradition if you wear a tie they will cut it off and hang it from the ceiling, so there are ties everywhere!!I had a very good steak and peach cobbler for dessert!!!
A row of Covered Wagons!!
The old replica Saloon!!
My friend Rachelle and I walking through the saloon!!
OH-NO, we got locked into Jail!!
SUCH A fun week-end!!!
Thanks Discount Tire for a great trip!!!

21 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Okay I HAVE to ask you - do you guys vacation all the time - how much time does your husband get off work to go on vacations - and what is his job? !!!

Sorry - you just seem to always be on these FANTASTIC vacations. I want to find out how so I can go!

I want to exchange places - lol!

Every thing - every picture - every laugh - fantastic.

Glad you are having so much fun.

sandie

Julie said...

Looks like a great time. In all my time at the UofA I never visited Biosphere, let alone knew there were tours! Man, that is very cool! Definitely a place I want to check out someday.

I wanted to have prickly pear cactus margaritas for the signature drink at my wedding, but they couldn't find the syrup :( So yummy!

Looks like you had a great trip!

Deanna said...

Oh Jamie, what fun!
d

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I have always wanted to go the biosphere...and I have stayed at Loews Ventana Canyon resort before...it is GORGEOUS!! loving the photos! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

The Martin Family said...

Looks like you all had a great trip! That biosphere looks amamzing, I want to go and the canyon! Glad you had fun. What in the world is Zumba, I have never heard of it. I will have to google it.
Hugs
Reda

Debra said...

Looks like a very interesting place to visit. I had not heard of it. Beautiful picures!!!

tracy said...

Hi Jamie
The BIOSPHERE 2 is so huge and AZ. is too??? You and your pals look like your having the time of your life.
Isn't is good that we have steadfast hubbies...you should be proud!!!Beautiful pictures,the reddish/gold colored creek is very pretty.
Come by and say hi...The house is coming along...I have my post up and going again.
blessing to you my friend
Tracy

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Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Jamie Sweetie...
Looks like you have been one busy gal. Traveling all over the place. Love the photos, they look so lovely. Beautiful place to go. Looks like it was such a nice hotel. Congrats to Chuck. It is always so nice to be recognized.

I also saw the beautiful photos of Ms Stacie. Looks like you gals had so much fun in the pool with the little ones. I loved seeing her smiling face. She is gorgeous Jamie, just gorgeous.

Well I see you, Marty and CeeKay are on your way to California. Are you all going to see Karen? Have a safe trip. It will be wonderful. I will be watching for photos of the journey.

Have a GREAT time. Talk and laugh for me. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

WOW!!! What a great trip. I'm so glad you shared all these photos with us...SO FUN!!!
It looks like you guys had a great time while Stacie was in town, too. Loved the Jerome and Sedona pics. Especially the one of little Miss C in her rainboots while enjoying Oak Creek. : )
Have a great weekend,
Mary Lou

韋陳富 said...
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Leslie said...

What a fun (and hot!) summer it looks like you are having. Omygosh, I feel the same way about snakes. Just seeing the picture gave me the shivers!

I would love to take my 13 year old to see the Biosphere sometime. I think he would really find it interesting.

Jamie, I don't have your e-mail address so I'm posting this info here for you...

Congratulations, you are the winner of my Perricone Cold Plasma giveaway! E-mail me at jamjustamom(at)gmail.com and let me know the address where you would like me to have it sent. I look forward to hearing from you!

And keep enjoying your summer and try and stay cool!

Terry said...

Howdy Sweetie
Wow ,wow and wow !
What a busy girl you have been !
Thank you so much for sharing all the great photos.
I had a wonderful virtual vacation and I never had to leave the cool air conditioned office :)
I am so glad to finally get a chance to swing by and see how things are going with you and yours.
Blessings to you and yours
Until next time
Big Texas hugs
Happy Trails

Unknown said...

I hear your Miss C calling out for you! Better not be gone too long. Chuckle! OK I'm being bad ...

What a fun time you are having ... I think you have wheels on your feet, girly. Have fun.

Don't miss our giveaway ~
Have a beautiful summer's eve ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Scrapping With Sherry said...

Thank you for sharing your trip. I would love to go to the blogosphere. You have actually peekied my interest so much that I plan to goodle it and read some more!

I came by your blog to introduce myself. My name is Sherry and I am a new Bloggerette Sorority Sister. I have only been blogging for 3 weeks so I missed the rush, but I look forward in joining in on the events to come. I would be honored if you came by for a visit at http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com/ Hope to see you there!

Take Care~ Sherry

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nancygrayce said...

You do vaca a lot! But it looks like you have so much fun! Beautiful place!

Unknown said...

What a FAB weekend! I need one of those! :) Lots of fun stuff going on. I have never been to the Bioshpere. That was a very fun tour.... AND I didn't know there was a PP in Tucson!

~Liz

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Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Jamie Sweetie...
Are you doing okay? I haven't seen a post for awhile and thought I had better pop over and see. I have been worried.

I pray you are well. Maybe you are out and about again. I love to see your travels and where you go. When you can't get out much yourself you live through others. I thank you for taking me along to so many beautiful places.

Have a beautiful week sweet friend. You are missed out here.

Sending many hugs and much love, Sherry