DAY 124- St. Louis, MO...

My hotel was situated right near the base of the St. Louis Arch which was rather neat to be so close to, but my room happened to be facing the downtown area.  It was a very nice view especially at night with the lights of the city.  I woke up to the same basic view only with the sun starting to reflect on some of the buildings and I could see a bit of the shadow of the arch falling on some of the buildings.  I walked across the street from my hotel in the morning to get a good photo of the arch.   Then, I walked a bit of the park area around it but the wind had picked up overnight and it was very chilly out.

Photos- St. Louis from my hotel window at night and in the morning.

Photo- The St. Louis Arch.

Next, I found myself on my way to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on the west side of downtown.  I had been told that I had to visit this Basilica if I ever went through St. Louis.  It looked HUGE from the outside but I was not prepared for how amazing it was on the inside.  I walked in the door and was greeting by a gentleman at the visitor’s stand just inside the front foyer.  I was told that I could take pictures, where the gift shop was, and that there was a museum downstairs. 

Photo- The outside of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Walking down the main aisle of the church I was in awe as the music from the choir floated down around me in the surrounding beauty of the Basilica.   The choir was practicing for the Christmas midnight mass.  I could almost feel like I was in the presence of God amid all of this beauty and sounds of harmony floating around the HUGE open areas of the Basilica.  I sat at a pew to just take it all in and I was almost to the point of tears.  I felt full of emotions.  It was just all so much beauty to take in at once.  Wow! 

Photos- The wonderful interior of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

The interior was full of marbled columns, arches with mosaic tiles, and painted frescos.  At the center above the alter there was a large dome area that went at least 30 ft. above the main floor area.  Everywhere I turned was a new beauty that I took my breathe away.  Off of the main pew church seating area there’s several hallways where there are chapel areas with smaller statues of Mary and a baby Jesus, and among others.  Off on onside there was a row of Christmas trees along with a smaller Christmas manger which almost seemed out of place in a majestic place such as this Basilica.

Photo- Forest Park in St. Louis, MO.

Next on my way to find the Interstate heading west then north out of St. Louis, I wandered into Forrest Park.  Forest Park is a large city park in St. Louis that has a city zoo in one corner of the area and surrounds the St. Louis Art Museum.  There’s a large pond like area in the middle of it.  Out on the pond there are several fountains sprouting up and out.  There were walking/running trail paths.  People were out on them; some of them even with their dogs.  I imagine on a warmer day this park would have been packed.  There also was a large statue of Saint Louis riding on a horse.  I got out and walked around for a short bit around the park.  The whole park took up what would have been several city blocks.  It was a very large space with trees and grassy areas.  Right now, it was mostly barren trees and yellowed grassy areas but in the height of the late Spring time I would guess that this would be an amazing place to just come spend some time.

Next, I was off on the interstate heading north towards eastern Iowa.  The plan was to spend the holidays in Iowa with family.  That is something I will admit that I have not done in years.  Quite often, the driving conditions between Salt Lake City and eastern Iowa are not ideal in the winter time.  This year so far had been a mild winter and I thought it would be an easy ride into Iowa coming from the south.  I didn’t see a hint of snow until I reached the northern portion of Missouri. 

Photo- The Iowa scene as I drove north towards my hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA.

The roads were still clear with a bit of snow of new snow off to the side as I got into Iowa.  There was a bit of patches of ice under the over passes here and there but for the most part it was wonderfully clear sailing on the interstate.  The only real touchy driving conditions came when I ventured off of the main roads and onto side roads as I got close to my old neighborhood in Cedar Rapids; slow and steady was the key here.  But my front wheel drive always makes it easier to drive in these conditions.  But there is also the added benefit that I learned to drive in Iowa’s winter.  I feel very comfortable on winter roads driving but please don’t ever ask me to parallel park.  I made such good time I was there about 40 minutes earlier than what Mom was expecting me.   She didn’t complain about my showing up early.  She was very happy to see me.

DAY 99- Missions and on to the Beach...

I totally decided not to visit the Alamo while I was in San Antonio.  From what I heard it was expensive and you couldn’t touch or really look at anything in particular.  It was being treated as too much of a Shrine and I’ve seen enough of those plus, I still had three other Missions in the area that I could visit for free and be able to take pictures of.  So I packed up my car and headed to the first one of the three which was Mission Concepcion.

Photo- The outside of the church at Mission Concepcion.

There was only one other car and myself there at 10AM.  The church was open and I walked around and read all of the historical signage.  The inside of the church I thought was very beautiful.  There was a couple of people in a closed off section doing some masonry repairs/ restoration.  It was just a nice peaceful quiet area to be.

Photo- Repairs being done at Mission Concepcion.

Photo- The beautiful interior of Mission Concepcion church.

Next, I followed the signs to go to Mission Espada.  There I was greeted by a docent that gave me some extra literature about this mission in particular.  Then, she even offered to explain the statues in the church if I would like when I got over to the church area.  I thanked her and said that I would love to have her do that.  She was just so helpful and it was such a pleasure to have someone like her on duty at the mission.

Photo- The church at Mission Espada.

I waved at her as I got over to the church area.  She explained how this church was not what was originally designed for the area.  They had footings laid out for a larger church but it never happened.  There were a lot of issues with maintaining a constant Indian population for labor at this mission.  She also pointed out the door frame of this church.  It was rather Moorish in nature.  The story goes that the original mason got involved with a married lady and had to flee quite quickly leaving the work unfinished.  The underlings were left to finish the work and it’s believed that they tried as best they could but didn’t really know what they were doing and thus there are some “errors” with the door area. 

She went into the church with me and explained about the St. Francis statue that was in the middle was the oldest statue of the mission and that the gold leafing was what they discovered as they were restoring the statue.  The Jesus statue was made of corn husks and the Mary statue was only half that tall and was designed to be carried during festivals.  She also explained about how the window at the rear of the church was designed to shine sun on the St. Francis statue on October 4^th which is a special day in the Catholic Church.  I forgot which one and I’m not up on my Catholic holidays.  But it was all very interesting.

The docent left me in the church, inviting me to take pictures and to come over to visitor’s center.  She said she would be back by the entrance if I had any further questions that I had.  I thanked her for her time and took several pictures of the inside of this church. Then, I went over to check out the visitor’s center.  There was an older gentleman in a cowboy being the docent in there.  There was a puzzle of the door way of the church that you were invited to play with.  He told another story about the doorway of the church. 

Then the gentleman docent went on to explain the building that houses the visitor’s center which use to be used as a local Catholic school for the area.  They had photos and areas that were left like it originally would have been when it was used as a school.  There also was a different room that housed museum information.  What I found particularly interesting was that branding of cattle came from the King of Spain.  If the cow wasn’t branded then it was considered the King’s property.  This encouraged owners to brand their cattle.  One of the oldest brands that are still registered to this day is the Mission’s brand.  The docent also went on to point out how the term Maverick came into use.  There was a guy that moved into the territory after King of Spain lost power in the area.  This guy whose name was Maverick was quick to claim any of the unmarked cattle were his.  There by any of the unmarked cattle were called mavericks; kind of some fun history there.

Next, I headed to the Mission Espada.  I was walking along taking pictures when out of the blue walks Nanette the same national park employee that gave the tour yesterday.  She said I recognize you from yesterday.  I had asked a couple of questions during the tour yesterday and another afterwards.  I guess I might have been memorable.  I ended up talking with her for a while.  It was just myself and maybe one other couple on the grounds of this mission.  It was rather fun talking with her and I explained what I was doing with my road trip.  She thought that was neat and mentioned that she wanted to try to explore more of Texas with her husband when they could because Texas had a lot to offer.  She wanted to do Stay-cations.  I thought that was a wonderful idea and thinking more people should really try to do that.

After talking with Nanette I went through the museum part of the mission and then ended up talking with an older gentleman docent who happened to be a member of the mission parish.  He explained how they were fixing the church which was leaning very badly.  He also pointed out another structure on the property that was a house that was made from the original stones from the mission.  Quite a few of the stones ended up being used for that and that’s why some of the missions are not as well restored as they could be because a lot of these stones were spread all over the area being used for other houses and buildings.

Next, I found myself driving south towards Corpus Christi.  I would be spending the night in a hotel on the north side of Padre Island which is just over a couple of bridges from Corpus Christi.  I managed to find my hotel quite easily which surprised me because there were so many bridges that I went over and over that I was afraid it would be complicated to find.

Quickly after getting checked in I threw on some sandals and I was out walking along the beach area of the Gulf of Mexico.  It’s the first time I had ever seen or been on the Gulf of Mexico.  I thought that was kind of cool; another first.  The sun was just starting to set and I kind of just hung out and watched it set as I walked up and then back down the beach about 2 miles in all.   It was very pretty and I got to watch the moon rise.  There were a couple of surfers out which surprised me because there really wasn’t much for waves at all.  One of them did manage to get up on a wave for a short little bit but most of the waves were just too small to do anything with.  I talked with a local couple that was seated along the wall.  They said they saw people all the time attempting to make something out of these small waves.  Some of the best competitive surfers they said came from the Corpus Christi area because if they could make something of smaller waves they could really make something out of the larger ones.  I wouldn’t know but it kind of made sense.

Photo- Watching the sunset to the west on water that was to the east.  An interesting sight.

Next, it was dinner time and I asked the girl at the counter where there was a locals place to go.  She told me Scuttlebutts and gave me a copy of their menu.  It had a lot of variety and was nearby.  Why not.  I washed the sand off my feet, changed into blue jeans, and I was off.  As I went down there was a guy in the elevator that I said hi to and then went out to my car.  I drove past the restaurant the first time and had to turn around.  This area reminded me of Utah in that you have to do a "U" turn to get any where.

I go into the pretty full restaurant and try to find a sit at the bar.  Whose at the bar but the guy that I said Hi to in the elevator at my hotel.  He pulls up a bar chair next to him and invites me to sit next to him.  He's a marathon organizer from near the Orlando, FL area.  On the other side I have a small plane pilot from San Antonio.  There's two different basketballs games on the TVs and then there's an old Bruce Lee movie in the middle of it all.  The three of us are laughing at the Bruce Lee movie; talk about BAD acting.  It was fun.

I order some Happy Hour appetizers for dinner and ordered a draft beer that was on Happy Hour special.  The pilot guy leaves wishing me luck on my road trip and I ended up talking with the other guy.  He ends up paying for my dinner and asks if I want to hit a nearby bar.  Sure, I say.  I follow him to a place not far from our hotel called The Office.  It was a nice little local bar and I had to laugh because the pilot guy was there playing pool with another guy.  I said hi and he teased me about stalking him.  I gave him a hug and we finally introduced ourselves his name was Ben.  He also teased me about still hanging out with the guy I met in an elevator and warned me to be careful.  He was sweet.

I sat down with Mr. Elevator guy and I had another beer while he had wine and we just chatted.  He bought another round of drinks and we continued to chat.  I finally bought another round and we continued to chat.  As he finished his glass of wine, he said he was going back to the hotel bar at our hotel to finish up the night.  He asked if I wanted to join him.  I told him I might after I finish this beer which was only half full.  But I knew that the hotel bar would be closed and he was basically calling it quits for the night.  I thanked him for my dinner and all of the beers.  I finished my beer after a while and went back to the hotel for the night.

DAY 98- San Antonio, TX...

I woke up to a thick fog.  At first I could barely see the interstate that was running along outside of my window.  Later it became lighter out and I could see the interstate but the tall downtown buildings were lost in the fog.  I turned on the local news and they were showing accidents and backed up traffic all around the area.  I had considered a morning bike ride but I didn’t think it would be safe now.

Photo- A foggy morning in San Antonio, TX.

I went down for the grab and go breakfast at the Red Roof Inn where I was staying.  A muffin, some orange juice, a coffee and US Today paper, I was back up in my room.  I figured I would just wait out this fog thing.  The weatherman said it would clear as it warmed up during the day.  It was supposed to rain later that night and bring in a slight cold front.  The temperatures would be in the upper 60’s; sounded pretty good to me.

A while later, I found myself at the yellow trolley stop a half block away sitting on one of two benches.  There were two black guys there that were sitting on the bench not waiting for a trolley but taking a work break from the auto repair just down the street. I talked with them for a bit while I waited.  As the trolley (which was a regular bus) came I wished them a good day.  I rode the trolley over to the San Antonio Market Square stop.

Photo- Outside at the Market Square in San Antonio.

San Antonio’s Market Square is a colorful walking mall area where there are a lot of Mexican goods for sale.  It has a very festive air and there’s a whole variety of things to look at.  It was rather fun window shopping.  I walked around for a little bit and then decided to get lunch.

Photo- Inside the Mi Tierra's Cafe and Bakery.

I went to Mi Tierra’s Café and Bakery that says it’s always open.  I walked in and was enveloped by some wonderful smells.  Upfront, there’s a glass enclosed counter where there’s a whole selection of mouthwatering freshly baked goods.  Yummy!  I went up to the hostess stand and she started to take me back.  “Where would you like to sit?” she asked me.  She asked if I would like to sit at the counter or a table.  I said whichever is more interesting.  She gave me a perplexed look.  I asked about the covered patio area and she happily sat me out there; looking a bit relieved to be rid of me.

Chips and salsa were brought to the table and I ordered one of the specials of the day just picking something at random.  Their prices were very reasonable.  A very hot plate was served with a cheese enchilada, Spanish rice, a covered container of warm tortillas (corn and flour), and a huge chicken leg.  It was all tasty.  While I was enjoying my lunch, a table of Latino men were sitting and chatting in Spanish.  It was someone’s birthday and one of them was getting a hard time.  A short bit later a trio of guitar players showed up at their table along with a group of restaurant employees.  It was birthday song time; all sang in Spanish.  The birthday boy was turning all shades of red.  It was so cute.

After lunch I walked around the Market Square a bit more.  I went in a few shops and was tempted to try on some of the cute colorful clothes but I didn’t have the room in my car; so I thought I better not.  I caught the yellow trolley back to my hotel where I jumped in my car and drove to one of the Mission Churches in the area.  There are four of them in the area and they are a National Park.  There are guided tours that they do at a few of them and I thought it might be interesting to catch one of these.  So with my Google directions in hand I wandered south through San Antonio.  I went south on St. Mary’s which changed names twice before I came to the San Jose Mission and it’s visitor center. 

The tour was given by a National Park’s employee named Nanette.  She was a cute native Texan gal with an amazing unique southern drawl that almost had a hint of Spanish accent.  It was just amazing listening to her as she gave the tour.  She talked about the history of the Mission San Jose and pointed out the different areas along the way.  We got to see the “apartments” where up to 20 Indians would live.  It made my Salt Lake City one bedroom apartment look like the lap of luxury compared to these two linked rooms; one of which had a fireplace where cooking was done. 

Photo- The cute Nanette with the wonderful Texas drawl accent.

Photo- The outside of the little "apartments" that line the outside wall of the San Jose Mission.

Nanette talked about what was expected of the mission Indians and what an average day for them would have been like during this time frame.  Most of their life was centered around the church.  They would get up and attend church in the morning; go back to their “apartments” for breakfast and then report to whatever work area they were expected.  Then, at the height of the day would be siesta time.  Then after their nap they would be expected to attend church again.  Then, it would be dinner and they had free time in the evening time.

Photo- The Famous Rose window.

During the tour, we steadily worked our way over to the church part of the mission where she ended her tour.  She told of two different legends regarding a Rose window on the side of the church and said we could decide which one was true.  The actual church was not part of the National Park.  Though, it was open to the public.  It’s an active parish church and run by the San Antonio Diocese. 

Photos- San Jose Mission Church, outside and inside.

After that I wondered around taking pictures and reading some of the displayed signs.  It was all very fascinating.  I walked over to the milling area which was just outside the wall areas.  It was the miller’s day off but normally they would have someone that would be operating the mill.  It was the only one of the four missions that had a working mill.  Most of the missions had been somewhat restored in the 1930’s.  It was while viewing this that I had this kitten rubbing up against me and getting all friendly.  It was a sweet thing but I wasn’t taking it home if that was what it was hoping for.

I headed back to the hotel where I did a quick shower and change before going over to the River Walk Area.  I got some change at the front desk just in case I decided to take the trolley back after dinner.  I walked over the 6 or 7 blocks to the River Walk taking a bit of a different route now that I was getting to know the area.  I walked along almost all of the River Walk area trying to decide where I wanted to eat dinner.  I went by almost every restaurant; checking quite a few menus.  I must have walked about 2 miles in all; nothing seemed to be sparking my interest.

Photo- Lighted carriages you can rent in the River Walk area.

Great deals of the restaurants along the River Walk are Tex Mex, Italian, and BBQ.  I finally decided to turn around and go back to the Waxy O’Connor Irish Pub.  They had a lamb stew that sounded rather good and it did turn out to go very well with a draft of Blue Moon.  I was enjoying the outdoor table until rain started to sprinkle just a bit.  I asked the server to move in and finished my meal indoors while watching a bit of Monday night football.  The rain started to come down a little harder and I ordered another beer in hopes of waiting out the rain.  It finally calmed down and I walked back to my hotel.

Photo- One of the restaurant areas along the River Walk.

 

DAY 83- Art & in the Pursuit Of Warm Clothes...

I woke up to a thin layer of snow in the morning.  The weather reports had said there was supposed to be snow in Santa Fe on Sunday but I was still surprised it happened.  I put on my warmest clothes so I could go to breakfast; it was a very chilly walk across that parking lot.  On the way back I stopped at my car and dug around in my cycling gear bag.  Thank goodness, I had the cold gear in with my cycling stuff or I would’ve really been up the creek.

Photo- A church not far from the Georgia O'Keeffe Art Museum.

An hour later I was taking the shuttle bus from the hotel over to Santa Fe’s Plaza.  From there, I walked over to the Georgia O’Keeffe Art Museum.  I should say that I walked around it and finally found it.  It’s rather an understated adobe structure and doesn’t come off as the usual art museum.  I went in and paid the entry fee; the whole time my teeth are chattering.  The gal behind the counter said I looked pretty cold and if she had an extra jacket she would’ve given to me.  She mentioned that the man in the red shirt would be giving a talk on Georgia O’Keeffe at 10:30AM.  She also went on to say that no photos within the museum were allowed.  I went over to the man in the red shirt and asked him where the talk would take place.  He said in gallery No.7 at 10:30am.  He told me it was the largest gallery and pointed the general direction of where it was.

Photo- The understated outside of the Art Museum. I almost walked right by.

I was off to start viewing some of the museum before the talk.  The first room had quotes and a few well-spaced pieces of Georgia’s.  Most people walk right up to a painting or a piece of art.  I have the habit of looking briefly up close then stare at it from a distance.  It was rather interesting because it seemed like the security was keeping a close eye on me because of my out of norm behavior.  There was security in every room.  In the second gallery was where more art was displayed and there was a tour of some sort being given.  I continued my same pace and just went around the group; only half listening to what the female tour guide was saying.  I finally started to warm up and took off my jacket; being watched closely by the security staff.

I breezed through the third gallery and didn’t venture into the 4^th.  I went straight to the 7^th gallery room where the man in the red shirt had just barely started the talk.  I found a sit among the other listeners.  He talked about Georgia’s upbringing, her schooling in art, how she became a teacher, gave up on art for a while and then picked up art again in her life.  He also talked about her husband and how she eventually came out to live in New Mexico.  He talked about her being on the cutting edge of modernism in art.  How this museum is the only museum in the US that is focused on a female artist but that over half of the artists in this day and age are women.  I found it all very fascinating.

But I especially found it fascinating when the man in the red shirt talked about how Georgia was very independent and traveled alone going for days on end in her car in search of subjects that interested her.  People thought she was crazy and I have to say that even a woman in our time has that same bit of stigma from some people.  I very much felt a kin to Georgia in that moment. 

When I left the museum, the man in the red shirt was out front and he asked me what I thought.  I told him it was a wonderful museum and experience.  He said that’s why he committed himself to being a docent since 2006.  I thanked him for his talk and said that I sort of felt a kin to Georgia when he talked about her travels alone.  I told him I was on a long road trip and told him that it was 83.  Wow! He said now that’s a serious road trip.  He said to enjoy and be careful of Santa Fe’s sidewalks.  He was convinced that they were there long before the city was ever built.  I laughed and thanked him; some of them are in terrible shape.

Photo-The Chuck Jones Gallery.

Next, I was down and around the corner and saw a Chuck Jones Animation Art Gallery.  I went in and was greeted warmly by a tall black dreadlock haired man behind a desk.  He asked how I was and I said Cold.  He laughed and said he appreciated my honesty.  I laughed and said maybe I should stop there.  The gallery was pretty cool.  There’s art from Warner Brother’s Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and others.  There’s Dr. Seuss artwork too.  Quite a bit of it was numbered reproductions of the originals done by Chuck Jones.

Photo- Another gallery that I really liked in the area.

Down the street a little farther, I came across another gallery that sparked my interest.  It had sculptures of cougars on benches in front of its windows.  I went in and saw quite a wide range of styles and types of artwork.  I grabbed some of the cards for some of the artists that I like what they do.  Three out of the four artist’s cards I took were all self-taught artists with no BFA.  Wow!  That surprised me because most the time in Utah I’ve found quite often the opposite.

Photo- A layer of snow in the New Mexico Museum of Art.

Further down the street is the New Mexico Museum of Art.  I went in.  After paying the entrance fee, I’m directed out through an open courtyard area to the actual art museum.  Through the courtyard I walked and through another set of doors into a foyer area.  I decided to keep right.  The first segment is large more modern type art fixtures that I never seem to understand or get for the most part.  Then, the art museum takes a venture into “Scenes Seldom Seen” and features a couple of photos with Georgia O'Keeffe in them and one taken by her.  Then, there was also a painting that is done by her too.  It also features other well-known New Mexico artists but I don’t recognize any of them.  Upstairs there was a show on glass that was very interesting.  Back down the stairs I went and turned left this time.  This area talked about New Mexico’s art history and asked about what art is and who is determined to be classified as an artist which this area contained more art that I just didn’t get.

Photo- The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Next I walked around the square and ended up over by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.  It looked as though it was being refurbished.  So I just admired the beautiful outside of it for a bit.  Then, I walked over to the Chapel of Loretto and saw the Miraculous Staircase.  The all wooden stairs that was built by a carpenter for the nuns to get to the choir loft which contains no nails.  The stairs were wonderful wood but the chapel area itself was beautiful too I thought. 

Photos- The amazing Miraculous Stairs and the beautiful chapel.

I grabbed a bit of lunch and something warm to drink at the Blue Corn Café.  Then, I went through a couple of gift shops while burning time till the shuttle bus came; about another 15min.  I had had enough of this walking around in the cold weather.  I needed to see about getting some warmer clothing.  The gal that drove the shuttle told me where some stores were on the way back to the hotel and when I got back I jumped in my car in search of warm clothing.  I ended up at Kohl’s and purchased a turtle neck sweater, a fleece hooded jacket lined with Sherpa fur, a sweater cardigan, and another long sleeve shirt.  I figured that should do me and it only set me back about $80.  You gotta love Kohls!

Next, back at the hotel I put on warm clothes in preparation of going out for dinner.  The Cow Girl Restaurant had come highly recommended.  I parked my car and went in only to find that they had a large group had reserved much of the restaurant and the bar area was packed with customers and more customers waiting to sit.  The gal offered that I could get take out but I didn’t want to sit in my hotel room and eat.  I swung by three others that were on my list but they were closed on Sundays.  I felt a bit like I was in Utah.  A bit disappointed, I finally decided to go to a chain restaurant (Outback) that I saw earlier when I was at  Kohls. 

DAY 72- Biosphere 2 & a BIT of Halloween Fun!

I got up early and ran 1.5 miles in the hotel gym.  I’ve decided that I’m going to try to do something active every other day to try to keep in shape.  I’ve noticed some of my clothes have been a bit snug of late.  Some of that could be due to them being dried in an actual dryer where when I lived in Salt Lake I always hung the clothes to dry.  But I do a fair amount of walking with my travels and am getting some but I could always use a bit more.  After all, I need to keep my bikini shape.  Ha-ha!

Photo- The Hertiage Hall which used to serve as a church in Casa Grande.

After a quick small breakfast, I loaded up the car and I was off.  Down the street about 2 blocks, I went to a rock church that I had seen last night.  I got out and went to the museum doors to discover they don’t open until noon.  Noon?  I was hoping to be long down the road by then.  So I just walked around the area, read some signage, and took some pictures.  It was an interesting little church that had been built in 1927 with fieldstone (stones from local desert area) and served as a Presbyterian church until the 1970’s when it fell into disrepair.  It was renovated in 1984 and since has been in use as a community center and theater.  It was cute and I wish they would have been open to see the inside.  But, oh well!

Photo- Closed! DARN IT!

Off I went over to I-10 heading east towards Tucson.  Last night while talking with Terri, I had heard about an Ostrich farm where you could actually feed the ostrich; that sounded like something fun and interesting.  It was just off an exit on I-10 and I thought I might just go ahead and do that.  I drove up to the entrance only to discover it’s closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays.  DARN! 

I drove back up to the Interstate exit and went across to the Dairy Queen that Terri had told me was the best in the state.  It was lunch time and I ordered some chicken strips and a small pumpkin shake.  I told the gal at the counter that I heard they were the best DQ in the state.  She said that it more of a case that they were the only well stocked DQ in the area.  The food was fresh, good, and served hot.

Photo- The scenic back roads way to Biosphere 2.

After lunch, I took off on the frontage road and drove through back roads on my way over to the Biosphere 2.  It was wonderful scenic drive with the windows down.  35 miles later, I arrived at the entrance to Biosphere 2; not sure of what to expect.

Photo- The entrance off of the highway for Biosphere 2.

I paid my entrance/tour fee and then proceeded to door #8 which is the air lock door to the Biosphere 2.  I went in and waited with others in a theater room.  The blonde girl that was to be our tour guide started a film that talked about how Biosphere 2 developed and became what it was today.  The film also talked on the subject of how Biosphere 2 is a smaller designed version of our earth which is referred to as Biosphere 1.  The hope is that by studying this smaller that we can learn more about the earth we live on.

Photo- Biosphere 2 as seen from the guest compound situated nearby.

After the film we got to tour some of the actual Biosphere 2.  We went from the entrance area to a walk way through the ocean area and then through a door into the rain forest room.  It was interesting how we went from a salt wet atmosphere and into a hot humid atmosphere in such a short distance.  Our tour guide talked about how currently they are doing an experiment in the rain forest area on the effects of drought in a rain forest.  Drought in a rain forest?  But there was still water for a water fall.  It wasn’t a total drought but a percentage of less water that would cause a drought for a rain forest.  There were sensors all over the environment measuring different factors within the area of the rain forest she told us; though, I couldn’t see any actual sensors.

Photo- Inside Biosphere 2, heading up to the Ocean walk way.

Photo- The Tour guide explaining in the Desert section of Biosphere 2.

We back tracked a bit; going back through the ocean room and into the savannah area.  She said there’s always a savannah area that separates an ocean from a desert.  She stopped here and explained a barren area along the walk way that had just finished being used for a prior experiment.  They were now preparing for the area to be used for another experiment but she didn’t have any of the details about what that experiment would be.  She also mentioned about how there are birds and various other animals that were left over from the locked down time of the Biosphere’s history that still remain in the Biosphere 2.  She said however that they were never kept track but that currently the system is open and that there may be other wild life that may have gotten into the Biosphere 2 also.  I found it interesting that they were keeping sensors on atmosphere, temperature, and water but were not keeping track of animals in the system.

Next, we went into the desert area where they were doing an experiment of 7 degrees lower temperature.  It was rather cooler than what I would expect a desert to be.  She explained that a desert was a crucial part of the Biosphere 2 because of the fog that is produced in the desert area is a way to retrieve water in the whole system.  This I found an interesting concept because I never thought of fog in the desert.  They also had another experiment going on in the desert area that was controlled in closed of plastic covered vessels.  The experiment was trying to test how much is needed to grow plants in rock and lava soils.

Photo- A lot of mechanical equipment needed to maintain Biosphere 2.

From the desert, the tour took us to the bowels of the Biosphere where we walked through the heating and air conditioning systems of the desert part of the Biosphere 2.  Hold on to your hat in this area!  It’s very windy just before you enter into the mechanical rooms.  It was amazing what machinery was needed to maintain just one area of the Biosphere.  We took a peak down another hallway that looked like it went on forever.  These were the mechanics for the rest of the Biosphere 2.  I found this all rather interesting because about 72 days ago I was a secretary in a small HVAC mechanical firm.

Next, we went in an underground tunnel that went on for 200 ft. At the other end we came out into an area that’s called the lung for the Biosphere.  The lung serves the purpose of an area where pressures within the system can escape.  The ceiling of the lung is made a neoprene rubber which contracts or expands as necessary.

Then, we went outside where our tour guide pointed out different areas on the property.  Through another door we went walking by the LEO experiment which is the latest largest thing to happen at the Biosphere 2.  LEO is an experiment to measure water in a sloping earth landscape.  There are three large tunnels areas that are currently being prepared with soil which has sensors all around it.  The general idea I got from the explanation of the experiment is that they are testing what happens to water as it goes over a sloping landscape to see how much of the water runs off, how much is absorbed into the soil and how deep some of that water is absorbed into the soil.

Photo- A residence room of the Biosphere 2 on display for the tour.

We went upstairs into the living quarters of the Biosphere 2.  It was here that the tour ended.  We watched a video on a TV screen in what served as the dining room of the facility where you could look into the kitchen area.  The video spoke about about the cooking and gathering of food that occurred during the 2 years the Biosphere 2 was a locked down system.  The Biosphere hit a wall during those two years in the experiment.  The humans couldn’t maintain enough of a calorie intake that they were all losing weight. They found it too time consuming to plant, grow, and harvest food on top of their other duties of experimenting.  Plus, the mechanical aspect of the facility was time consuming too.  It was all too much for them to do.  To the outside world this was seen as a failure but to the scientific world is was much needed data for future experimentation. 

I walked around the outside of the facility reading other signs along the way and then took an elevator down to look into the side window of the ocean.  It was strange because the color of their ocean was yellowish in color.  There was an explanation for that which I can’t remember now as I type this.  But it made sense at the time when I read it.  Sorry, my brain can only hold so much, and it was getting quite a bit of information within the 2.5 hours that I had spent there.

Off to Tucson, I went and ended up getting bogged down for a bit in rush hour traffic.  Well, it was 4:30pm going on 5PM.  I managed to eventually find my way to the west side where I would be staying for the next 2 nights at Starr Pass Golf Suites.  I found them on-line through hotel.com and they weren’t too bad of a deal for a couple of nights stay.  I arrived at the Starr Pass Resort and quickly got lost trying to figure out where to check in at.  I didn’t see a specific area that was labeled as an area to check in or even a real club house.  So as I’m driving around I see a guy on a golf cart with a colored polo that says Starr Pass.  I flag him down and asked where I can check for my room.  He, Alberto, gives me directions to a large building that I had driven by.  He says if I need any further assistance to feel free to just call him.

I head back and park in front of the covered over hang area.  No labels or signage anywhere.  I pull the door open and there’s a lobby area, a restaurant, a bar, a pro golf shop, and a front desk area.  I go up to the desk and the whole time I’m checking in she kept on referring to me as Miss Allgood.  Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that I’m not used to being referred to as a Miss and I’m not often called by my last name either.  She gave me a map and a typed up information sheet about my room.

I’m back up driving through the area trying to find my room when I stumble upon Alberto again.  He stopped off to the side of me and asked if he can help me.  Yeah, I say I’m lost again.  He turned his cart around and lets me follow him to where my room is.  All of the rooms in this place are like separate single level townhomes that just vary in size and features.  I thanked Alberto and again he said if I needed anything to feel free to just give him a call.  I had to laugh because he doesn’t give out a number or a way to actually reach him when he says this.

I get inside the room and see a desk for a computer but no chair.  I called the front desk and asked about the chair if the room is supposed to have one.   The gal said yes there should be one and that she’ll send someone over with a chair in a short bit.  A short time later who shows up at my door with a chair?  Yep, you guess it Alberto!  I laughed as I open the door and told him I’m not usually this much of a pain in the ass.  He laughed.  He brings in the chair and I ask him about restaurants in the area.  The next thing I know he’s jotting down directions to a Mexican restaurant that he says I will really like.  He says that I should dress up for Halloween because they are probably doing specials for those that are dressed up.

So 20 minutes later I head out in a squashed cowboy hat and jean skort overalls armed with the directions.  I did find El Charro which I later found out is the oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family since 1922.  BUT I appeared to be the only customer in costume and the only other ones that were dressed were employees.  I think I was being played by Alberto!  But the hostess got me a table and I have a WONDERFUL Mexican meal. 

Photo- The interior of the El Charro restaurant.

Right from the start, one taste of the salsa that comes with the chips and I knew I was in the right place.  SO GOOD!  I could’ve made a meal of just the salsa and chips but with quality and flavor like this I HAD to try their mole.  OMG!  The chocolate mole sauce was a blend straight out of heaven; sweet and spicy but so much more flavor served over a tender piece of chicken that rested on a bed of rice.  I was in a food heaven that was quite colorful and had costumed servers running around.  There was the cop hostess, a Scooby Doo, a Charlie Chaplin, an Irishman, a Hippie, and my server which was Jack the Skeleton King. I asked to take a picture with my server and the next thing I know I’ve got three of them jumping to get pictures. 

Photo- Some costumed characters with me.

Next, I went into the bar next store which is part of the restaurant.  I had a beer over there but it appeared that they were closing down early because it wasn’t very busy.  That’s okay I thought this was enough for tonight and I still needed to figure out how to get back to my hotel from where I was.  Plus, I needed to do some blogging too.