Roy Mine, Biosphere 2 and Catalina State Park, AZ

Sunday, February 16 - Monday, February 17, 2014

After leaving Elk Lodge, we made our way on a scenic drive toward our evening destination to Catalina State Park, Tucson. Made a stop at the Roy Mine Operations to see the huge open pit copper mine and then a stop at the world renowned Biosphere 2, a conceptual and engineering marvel of the 90's where seven people spent two years sealed in the domes, surviving only on what they could grow and raise. Were fortunate enough to get a spot for the first night in the overflow section and the second night in the campground. Big hike and the setting made it a memorable two day stay.

Mosaic city design

Can read the info if you're interested

It spanned over two miles and runs 24/7.

A real maze of levels 

The drilling rig on right prepares for the dynamite and on the left, the material is removed once it was blasted.

The patches of residue are almost quilt like

So what's this about?

This section of the project is the saltwater ocean where fish were raised.

Samples of the grains that were grown and was their mainstay food supply

A small section of the rainforest can be seen along with another part of the glass structure.

Green bananas provided their main source of sugar intake

This is where they lived and studied ecosystems under controlled conditions.

Amazing architecture and engineering

Our setting at Catalina State Park, Tucson. Would love to return someday.

A big hike on the Romero Ruin Trail was in order. The objective was to see the pools and waterfalls that are
up in the mountains. 

If you look real hard, you can see the campground just behind the Saguaro cactus.

Grace spotted this doe crossing the trail right behind us and I was lucky to grab a couple of quick shots

Two jumps and it was gone

It just kept on going up.....

.....and finally we reached our goal. 

Shaped by thousands of years of waterflow

This was their definition of a waterfall.

Cooling my heels in the icy water. 

Even though the water was only about 50 degrees, it didn't  stop the young
ones from taking the plunge.

Rested and ready to make our way back down. Wish we would have taken more water.

First a steep climb up from the pools  before the decent began.

Old and gnarly, just like us!

Fancy foot work in a tight spot

The climb up was about 1000 feet in elevation.

Hope he finds what he's looking for.

A glowing sunset to end the physical day.