A Vacation Destination – for Some
There’s something about a vast expanse of open ocean that both entices me and scares the hell out of me.
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be the sole survivor of a shipwreck, adrift, alone, in a small life raft, with nothing but blue water as far as the eye could see.
No, I’m not odd; it’s just that my mind sometimes drifts to unique places…pardon the pun.
Which is why I was intrigued to read of a, and I use this term loosely, vacation destination that might very well fit the bill of my daydream, sans the associated danger.
Frying Pan Tower, a former U.S. Coast Guard Light Station, is located 34 miles off the coast of North Carolina – far out of sight of any land.
The decommissioned station is being restored by volunteers and financed through contributions and the donation of needed supplies in an effort to protect and preserve this rare structure.
The isolated tower, which stands roughly 85 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, is open to guests seeking a unique travel experience.
Frying Pan Tower can be booked for a weekend get-away for $598 per person.
The Tower has 8 bedrooms, 5 of which have twin beds and 3 with queens. The queen rooms normally require double occupancy.
In total, the Tower can accommodate 8 – 12 overnight guests.
The per person price covers 3 days and 2 nights in, of course, an ocean facing room. Basic meal supplies, linens and towels are provided. There is also a pool table, telescope, Internet access and digital TV on an 8-foot projector for the times when you’ve just had enough of gazing at the wide-open ocean.
Frying Pan Tower staff – usually one or two – are required to travel with you for safety reasons, so it won’t necessarily be a Robinson Crusoe type adventure if you’re so inclined to book the trip by yourself.
But, where else would you be able to experience such an isolating location – short of setting yourself adrift on the open ocean?
I have to admit, I’m fascinated by the idea of spending time at such a location. Will I do it? I don’t know, but it’s good to know there’s an opportunity available to face one of my biggest fears, while, at the same time, experiencing something I’ve long had an interest in doing.
The only downside – you’re not able to use points to stay for free!
But, use a points/miles earning credit card to pay, and the trip will earn you a nice chunk of points to use for future adventures.
And, if you don’t live near the coastal Carolinas, you may be able to fly into Myrtle Beach (one of the closer airports to the Tower) cheaply on Spirit Airlines, or use your miles on any number of air carriers to fly into Myrtle Beach or Wilmington airports for free.
On a trip like this, it’s nice to be able to save a little on the expenses.
Here are a few YouTube videos of Frying Pan Tower that you can enjoy from the comfort, and safety, of your own home.
Frying Pan Tower Adventure Vacations
Flight to the Frying Pan Tower
Now that you’ve gotten a feel for what the Tower adventure would be like, are you ready to book your trip?
If you’ve been already, or you decide to jump on this once-in-a-lifetime experience, be sure and give us your review – we’d love to know what it was like.
images courtesy of fptower.com
