LOWELL | A tour of monolithic dome homes that will span from Idaho to Florida will include a stop at Thyme for Bed, a unique bed and breakfast west of town.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, visitors may tour the more than three-story dome structure with proprietress Sheryl Bainbridge as their host.

"I'm excited ... It'll be a fun, two days," Bainbridge said. She and her husband, Don, an engineer who wanted the monolithic dome for its tornado- and fire-resistant properties, have operated the inn for six years.

Bainbridge said it is the first year she and her husband have participated in the annual Fall Dome Home Tour, which is sponsored by the Monolithic Dome Institute in Texas. The tour will showcase everything from luxury houses to small residences

While their bed and breakfast sits on 10 pastoral acres, the green appeal of monolithic dome homes comes from their spherical shape, which covers the most amount of space with the least amount of material and makes them energy efficient.

The interior of Thyme for Bed measures 5,800 square feet.

A Fall Dome Home Tour of Thyme for Bed, a bed and breakfast at 12567 W. 185th Ave., Lowell, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is $1 per person or $5 per family. All proceeds will be donated to the St. Jude House, Crown Point.

To learn more, visit thymeforbed.com, or call (219) 696-6307 or (219) 775-1922.

To learn more about monolithic dome homes, go to monolithic.com.