Blogs from Tucson, Arizona, United States, North America - page 24

February 10, 2007 Saturday the 10th Andy headed to the U of A baseball game (8-0) and Jennie to the San Xavier Mission for a Zen Photography class field trip. Mission San Xavier del Bac, an historic Spanish mission located south of Tucson, was originally founded in 1699 by the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino. The current building, built between 1783-1797, is still actively used by Franciscans and the Native American community. Also known as the “White Dove of the Desert,” the pristine white structure stands alone on the desert floor near the Santa Cruz river, which apparently surfaces in this spot (although there is no sign of it at the moment.) The church structure has a look of being unfinished—possibly as a way to avoid taxes long ago since buildings under construction were exempt from ... read more

February 9, 2007 Today we headed north of the city to visit Biosphere 2, a fascinating and expensive ($150 million) scientific project to create a giant self-contained mini-world. Financed by billionaire Edward Bass of Ft. Worth, TX, Biosphere 2 (the earth being Biosphere 1) was built primarily to determine if life could be maintained in an enclosed structure on other planets. It covers 3.15 acres and contains not just living space but an entire environment for plants and animals to exist with a water cycle, air exchange, etc. After two reasonably successful experiments—a group of eight people stayed inside for 2 years beginning in 1992, and a group of 7 completed a 6-month stay in 1994—the project lost momentum, probably due to lack of funding. Columbia University took over the Biosphere and used as a site ... read more

We left Bisbee and drove north through Tombstone and on to Tucson. After having our windshield patched, we took a walking tour of the old town of Tucson and the Presidio. Along with the little booklet, the sidewalk actually has a purple stripe to follow as we wandered around this old mission town. Tucson is also the home of Arizona University. It was a beautiful sunny day. Saguaro West National Park was our destination today. The Desert Museum, most of which is outdoors, contains animals and plants native to this Sonora Desert region. It is a natural history and botanical garden all in one place. THIS MAYBE LAST BLOG AS WE HEAD INTO MEXICO ... read more

This was my first hike once I got out to Tucson.... read more

At Hu’s (short for Lehua, my sis). Lehua lives in a beautiful house in Tucson. I plan on spending just two nights here. I have a dental appointment in Mexico tomorrow and it is only an hour drive from here. It is my niece’s (Macy) birthday; she is 6, so it will be nice to get to spend a little time with her. ... read more