Spring Break! Part V: Biosphere 2 and the Journey Back

Our last day in Arizona we stopped at the Biosphere just outside of Tuscon. Matt has had a life long desire to visit (thanks to a Ranger Rick article in elementary school). I vaguely recall hearing about it and then have traumatic PTSD flashbacks from watching biodome based off of the biosphere.

These days humans are no longer enclosed in the biosphere, but it is used for research. They are currently doing research on water, plants, and oxygenation levels. They are also studying watersheds. 

The kids liked it fairly well, but were disappointed that there were no animals especially no monkeys in the jungle. I agree that a few monkeys would be an improvement but it was pretty neat to see a rain forest with an eighty foot canopy, a swamp, ocean, and desert all in one building.

Matt, of course, enjoyed it the most, but it proved to be a fun stop for the whole family. 

After the biosphere we drove to Tucson, picked up Claire and headed to the Desert museum. Unfortunately Ian and Miles fell asleep. Matt took a nap in the car with them and Claire, Liam, Paul, and I headed into the desert museum.

It turned out to be a blast and it was really too bad the little boys slept through it. They had a small aquarium, nature trails, animal enclosures, recreated caves and more.

Liam was sitting quietly in the humming bird enclosure until one swooped by his face. He shrieked that it was going to sting him and then had to be forcibly stopped from swatting humming birds out of the air. We left quickly since he was quite anxious that he would be stung by a humming bird.

This is the terrifying humming bird that almost stung him.

The landscape was actually beautiful with colorful flowers and textured landscaping.

There was a man created cave that you could explore. This was a huge hit as there's no "off roading" in a real cave. This was a hands on touch free for all; which thrilled Liam.

There was a dino dig as well, and Liam can't resist those.

This is Liam at one of the many animal enclosures. This place was like part nature park, part children's museum, and part zoo. It was pretty sweet.

It was with a heartfelt thanks that we left Tuscon. Claire and Lee fed us sushi and watched Wreck It Ralph. We left late and drove to El Paso to try and decrease the amount of drive time the following day. The last day we finally rolled in around 9pm. Grateful to be home and grateful to have had such amazing and adventure filled vacation.