Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ

Yesterday Mary and I went to visit her friend Sandy who lives near the Biosphere 2. Sandy drove us there where we enjoyed a 2.5 hour visit which included a 1+ hour guided tour of this unique place.

I asked our tour guide…”If this is Biosphere 2, where is Biosphere 1?”  The answer…”The earth itself..the planet on which we live!”

Some general facts…
* located on 3.14 acres,
* 91 feet at its highest point,
* 6,500 windows and 7,200,000 cubic feet of sealed glass,
* sealed from the earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner,
* 34.5 acre campus,
* 300,000 square feet of administrative offices, classrooms, labs, conference center and residential housing.

Here’s a link to 12 photos I took…
http://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver/Biosphere2#

Here’s a link to the Biosphere 2 website…
http://B2science.org

Finally, here’s a Wikipedia information link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.c

Apache Junction, AZ

Six Blog entries ago, I reported that my Yuma sinus infection was coming alive and how I drove down to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico for my medicine which has cured it in the past. I also mentioned that I’ve come to believe that agricultural airborne contamination was the cause behind my problem. The medicine is working and only a very minor residual pain and swelling remains which I hope will continue to disappear soon. I took my last remaining pill yesterday. Anyways, since I had completed my planned activities in Yuma, I thought I’d leave early, get away from that airborne contamination and help the healing process. My next planned stop was Apache Junction to visit with my good friends Aaron and Cheryl for a few days.

I departed Yuma on Tuesday and drove the about 200 miles to South Phoenix where I spent the night in a very quiet RV parking lot at the Wild Horse Casino, not wanting to fight the afternoon rush-hour traffic. On Wednesday I drove the remaining about 35 miles to the Countryside RV Resort. This park is an Equity Life Sharing facility which is also the parent company of Thousand Trails RV Resort of which I am a member. Because of that fact, I’m able to stay in this beautiful park for only $3 a night which includes electricity, water and sewer hookup. Such a deal!

I’ve been to Apache Junction a few times over the years. While the park is on the outskirts of Apache Junction, the area is still close to Phoenix and in general too much traffic congestion for my liking. Give me the wide open spaces!

The photo below outlines the resort as seen by Google Earth and is not a real-time photo. In reality the park is more than 95% full.

Countryside RV Resort has 560 spaces. According to Wikipedia, Apache Junction has 51 RV parks. Here’s the link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_Junction,_Arizona

I’m booked into the park for nine days and I plan to leave on January 8th and drive the about 150 miles South to Tucson where I will meet my jet-setting life partner Mary who flies in on the 9th. After 3-4 days in that area, we’ll head East and expect to arrive in New England in late May. The only thing firm item on our entire trip is being scheduled in New Orleans, LA, from February 8th to 22nd for Mardi Gras. I also expect we will arrive at Mary’s home in Murphys, CA about mid-October. Be sure to mark this Blog as a favorite and follow along with us as we travel the road of life together!

Happy New Year, Y’all!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2009
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com