For Part 1, click here.
After checking into Clear Sky Resorts in Cannonville, Utah, my husband drove us to #15. Pulling up right next to our dome, we parked, exited our rental car and walked the few steps to the door. While I held my breath, Mister Rain entered the passcode. He opened the door, holding it for me. Crossing the threshold, I stood to the right to allow him to pass. As is his practice whenever we enter a hotel room for the first time, he turned on lights to give me the best chance of seeing in this new environment. Normally he would also open the curtains, but he waited. Doing so in this incredible structure was going to be an unforgettable moment.
Manually pulling the curtains along their track to expose the upper level of glass, my husband next used the remote for the lower section of drapes. They parted from the middle, dramatically revealing a mountain straight ahead as if it was opening night on Broadway.
I was speechless. Even though I find the words to my stories come fairly easily to me, several months later I am struggling to explain what being in this dome was like. I never rely on the photos that accompany my stories to tell the story, but in this case, I am so glad I have them to share with you.
Finally forcing myself to turn away from the outside, I took my first good look at the main part of the dome. There were two nightstands on each side of the large bed, an unusual light fixture suspended high above it, a couch with a side table and a small poof on the cement floor. Neither of us noticed the absence of a TV until a few days later.
Exploring the rest of the dome, I found a counter with drawers set in a nook, a coffee maker on top, an open closet where two robes hung, a refrigerator beneath them.
Located behind the main living area, the bathroom was much bigger than expected, containing two sinks, a shower and toilet. The washcloths and hand towels had a telescope embroidered on them, the bath towels said “Clear Sky Resorts.”
Usually I immediately unpack when I arrive into our hotel room or rental house, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the view.
There are 62 individual domes at this Clear Sky Resort. Along with its sister property in the Grand Canyon, these are the only glass domes in the United States.
Getting up close and personal with the windows and their frames, I ran my hands along both materials, wondering exactly how the dome was constructed. I was also curious as to how they keep the windows so clean, the resort is set in a desert canyon yet there was no trace of the dusty surface on the dome.
All the domes are strategically placed to provide as much privacy as possible. Only one neighbor was visible when we were inside, but their windows were situated so that they couldn’t see into our dome nor we into theirs. Directly in front of us was an unobstructed view of the mountain, backdropped by the bright blue Utah sky. Already grateful to be having this extraordinary experience, we felt very lucky, not all the domes had quite as remarkable positioning as ours.
Eventually opening the suitcase, it took me the longest it ever has to unpack the few things we would need for an overnight stay. I kept stopping to take it all in, sitting down in amazement, counting my blessings. Mister Rain went outside to explore our “backyard” and take some photos.
When my husband booked our dome the day before, he also secured a dinner reservation at the resort’s restaurant, Sky Nova. I hated to leave my little piece of the heavens, but I would soon discover that the galaxy of Clear Sky Resorts was bigger than I could have imagined.
To be continued . . .
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