Biosphere 2 & Orehouse Hilltop Tavern

We met up in the morning with Ger and Lois, another couple from our resort also snowbirding from Canada, and we hit the road. It was another beautiful, warm, sunny Arizona day as we made our way to Biosphere 2, located in the town of Oracle.

We enjoyed a scenic drive, and the hour and a half drive flew by as we were engrossed in our conversations, getting to know more about each other. The Biosphere was cool, like stepping into a life support space station on another planet... but then again, I guess that's what they built it for, as a testing ground.

Cost for entry: https://www.biosphere2.org/

Adults: $27

Seniors (62+): $25

Children (5–17): $15

Children (0–4): Free

Military adults: $25 with military ID

UA students and faculty: $20 with CatCard

Biosphere members: Free

Family membership: $125 for two adults and two children, plus two guest passes

We did the walking tour, which allows you to download an app and has info stations to stop at along the tour and learn about the different aspects and history of Biosphere 2. I found it a lot more interesting than I first anticipated. We were all really impressed and enjoyed the tour. To think, a team of people lived in this for 2 years, working, documenting, and surviving on nothing but what they grew. They only produced enough coffee beans to have one coffee each month, and no meat products. My favorite part was the ecosystems of flora and fauna. Some of the trees were so tall they looked as though they would soon burst out of the glass ceilings. There were so many beautiful varieties, we could see the fruits growing still to this day on many of them: coffee, papayas, lemon, lime, and bananas. Outside in a cargo container was a full-on hydroponic garden. It's truly amazing what they did there. Unfortunately, Biosphere testing failed their goals.

The primary reason for the failure of Biosphere 2 testing was a dramatic decline in oxygen levels within the sealed environment, resulting from several factors: excessive organic matter in the soil led to rapid bacterial growth that consumed oxygen, while the concrete walls absorbed carbon dioxide instead of the plants, causing an atmospheric imbalance and rendering the air unbreathable for the crew inside.

Key points about the failure:

Soil bacteria activity:
The soil in Biosphere 2 was extremely rich in organic material, leading to a swift increase in bacteria that consumed large amounts of oxygen as they decomposed the matter.
Concrete interaction:
The concrete walls of the Biosphere reacted with the surplus carbon dioxide produced by the bacteria, further decreasing oxygen levels by absorbing CO2 instead of plants doing so.
Crop failures:
The inability to successfully cultivate sufficient food within the Biosphere also added to the crew's difficulties.
Design flaws:
Some suggest that the Biosphere's design, including the absence of adequate atmospheric regulation systems, contributed to the problems.

I think, despite the failures, it would have been a pretty great experience to have taken part in living there.

We would definitely recommend putting Biosphere 2 on your list of things to do when in Arizona.

After, we looked up spots for lunch and nearby were a few... but Orehouse Hilltop Tavern caught our attention and it turned out to be a great choice. What a fun and eclectic lunch spot. Old saloon style with an array of forged metal sculptures and a welcoming patio area set out on a hilltop. Try the prickly pear margarita! The food was very good and Orehouse was an all around great dining experience.

Orehouse Hilltop Tavern https://orehouseoracleaz.com/