Vacationing in a Hurricane Survivor
Despite Hurricanes, It Keeps On Ticking
June 06, 2006
by Freda Parker
Dome of a Home -- Mark and Valerie Sigler's Monolithic Dome establishment in Pensacola Beach, Florida reminds me of a 1950's television commercial. I remember newsman John Cameron Swayze, on live TV, holding up a Timex Watch that had just survived some grueling torture test and proclaiming, "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
With batterings from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Dennis and Katrina in 2005, Dome of a Home has taken its lickings -- and survived them with no significant damage to the dome itself. Huge chunks of debris propelled by wind and water did, however, damage their geothermal well system and did create a major mess and clean-up.
But on February 14, 2006 I spoke with Valerie, and she said that Dome of a Home is once again ready to host vacationers. The Siglers can comfortably accommodate ten guests in their Monolithic Dome's four bedrooms and loft.
The dome's designed to provide "a making-you-feel-at-home environment," Valerie said, that includes Tempur-Pedic mattresses in all sleeping areas. In addition, the 1000-square-foot, two-room master suite has a hot tub, steam shower, dry sauna and wet bar. And the queen suite, the largest bedroom on the dome's first living level, has its own attached bathroom with a whirlpool tub and a jetted shower.
Other amenities include TV sets, DVD players, and a generous, screened-in porch area off the kitchen and living-room for group activities. There's even an outdoor swimming pool -- "for times when the Gulf may be too rough but you want to swim," Valerie said.
Vacationing at Dome of a Home generally means you are part of a group of eight to ten people who know each other and come to spend a week (Saturday to Saturday) together in a serene dome on a pristine beach. Valerie said, "We are a 'vacation rental' -- not a 'bed-and-breakfast' that has an owner/host on the premises. Mark and I are not here when guests are. The dome becomes their home. But we do make sure that most of their needs are pretty much met." Linens and towels and a fully stocked kitchen, with utensils, dishes, basic spices and condiments are provided. Guests have the option of either purchasing food and cooking or visiting nearby restaurants.
Valerie said the dome is ideal for a get-together of family or friends. "Kids love it. We have a lot of water activities, such as jet skiing, para sailing, fishing and surfing, and lots of nearby places to rent the needed equipment.
"We've found that our place generally attracts visitors for one of two reasons. There are people who just want to vacation on the beach -- away from home, but at home. Then there are people interested in building a dome, but before they make that investment, they wish to experience dome-living."
To date, Dome of a Home has accommodated some 700 vacationers -- some of whom traveled from Wales, Germany and England. Such success has the Siglers thinking and talking about building other Monolithic Dome vacation-rentals. Valerie said, "It's an idea we're just kicking around. We're thinking about places like Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand and even Las Vegas."
Related Articles:
- Dome of a Home and Katrina
- After Ivan Came Dennis: Dome of A Home fairs well and Florida Residents start to clean up
- "Dome of a Home" featured on the Travel Channel
- "Eye of the Storm" on Good Morning America
- "Dome of a Home" Put To the Ultimate Test As Ivan Approaches -- They Are Ready!
- FEMA Grant Awarded to Sigler Family of Pensacola Beach, Florida
- Beach Front Homes
- Surviving Tornadoes and Hurricanes
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