Well allrighty then! I definitely need to read up on this thread! I read a little but not enough!
So why Mars? have you considered the amount of food and equipment one would need for such a trip? (I really need to get out more!) I was just thinking of Hawaii. Perhaps I should aim higher, so to speak.
We've given it some thought. Remember the Biosphere II project?
That covered several acres. We're going for a couple of square miles of food growing area including aquaculture and hydroponics.
And we're taking the castle along, with its moat, drawbridge, and dungeons.
...And fireplaces, observatory, libraries, kitchens, all the cozy little rooms built into the thick castle walls, and the curious menagery we have collected along the way.