Odometer: 114,185
At 6:30 we get up and slowly get ready to leave at 9:00. The sky is overcast and it looks like rain. We take Hwy 87 south to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Unfortunately the big building they have is under renovation. We take a short walk around and still take a few pictures then we head on further south on Hwy 79. In Oracle Junction we turn left and after 6 miles right to Biosphere 2. It starts raining.

The first Biosphere project was launched in 1991 by a private company and lasted 2 years. Then Columbia University got involved and they started a second project in 1994 which lasted 6 months. Today the facility is used for various research projects. It’s fascinating and quite big.

On the way back to Chandler we take Hwy 77 and 177. This route is much nicer and leads more through the mountains again. We pass several copper mines on the way to Superior of which the Ray Copper mines 18 miles south of Superior. This mine must be huge judging from what we can see from the road.

On our return to Chandler we treat our Toyota to another oil change. About the forth since we left San Diego.
Back at the hotel, we take a nap and then go for a nice Mexican dinner.