Little A’Le’inn
The extraterrestrial highway is a long and lonely stretch of road that passes through the small town of Rachel, but because of its proximity to Area 51, it is known for its numerous UFO sightings. The town’s population is less than 100. Rachel doesn’t have a post office, but it does have the Little A’Le’Inn.
Rachel was founded in 1973 as the “UFO Capital of the World” and attracts visitors from around the globe and possibly the solar system. The community has been featured in books, magazines, and TV shows, such as The X-Files, declaring it as the center of UFO activity. The result of this publicity was the renaming of SR 375 as “The Extraterrestrial Highway” by Nevada State legislator. The producers of the sci-fi movie Independence Day gave the town a time capsule.
I stopped at the A’Le’Inn for a quick bite. The menu consists of basic diner fare with the word “Alien” preceding each item. Alien Burgers, Alien Fries, etc. The food wasn’t very entertaining so I chatted up the server who seemed to be annoyed with all of the tourists asking the same questions over and over. Have you ever seen a UFO? Do you believe in aliens? She started to ignore me after I ask if there are any slutty ET chicks around here? I spent a few minutes looking at the faded photographs of UFOs on the walls and bought a guide map of Area 51 from the gift shop for 33 cents.
“It’s no fun/Being an illegal alieeeeonn.” Come on and sing it with me “I say, its no fuuun. Being an illegal alien.” These are the terrible Genesis lyrics I was singing out loud to myself as I drove down the gravel roadway to the back gate of Area 51. I was warned by the rotund teenager I met at the Alien Café not to go there and if I didn’t listen to her warning to keep a sharp eye out for the camo dudes in dark silver pickups. “They are always watching you” and “Read the warning signs and obey them,” she reminded me as I paid my bill. As I approached the boundary there were signs on both sides of the road. “WARNING! NO TRESSPASSING,” “PHOTOGRAPHY OF THIS AREA IS PROHIBITED” and the most unsettling of them “USE OF DEADLY FORCE AUTHORIZED.” Off in the distance I saw a grey Chevy pickup truck with a camo dude inside watching me. I make the executive decision that it was probably a bad idea to venture any closer and turned around.
The surrounding mountains of Rachel are littered with Paiute Indian artifacts like arrowheads and petroglyphs. Are the odd Indian drawings proof of past alien life in this area? Make sure to leave anything that you find. Everything is protected by the Archeological Resources Protection Act.
The byway ends at Warm Springs, the intersection of Highway 375 and US 6. This is a great base camp to explore many of Nevada’s ghost towns (see ????? ?? Baggers issue). I don’t think that Area 51 is hiding any aliens. But I do know that Uncle Sam ain’t fucking around about this place. I might not ever find out if alien sex is an out-of-this-world experience. I do suggest that if you are cruising through the back roads of Nevada to explore the Extra Terrestrial Highway and write me if you have any close encounters. B
What the?
Do a search for Rachel Nevada on Google Maps. With a quick search you can see a giant KFC logo from the satellite view. If you know anything about this please write us.
Facts:
There used to be an unofficial speed limit sign of Warp 7 on the way to Rachel. It is now mysteriously missing.
The Extra Terrestrial Highway is one of the most deserted roads in America, and has more reported UFO sightings than any other road in the country.
Rachel and the ET Highway is a good stopping point between visiting the many ghost towns of Nevada.
98 miles
Designated in 1966
There aren’t many people in South Central Nevada. Services and gas stations are sparse. Fill up your tank every time you see a gas station. Take plenty of drinking water. Cell service is sporadic.
Note: The gas station in Rachel is closed. The nearest gas stations are 50 miles south in Ash Springs and 110 miles north in Tonopah.
Length: 98.0 mi/157.7 km
Time to Allow: An out and back trip can be done in one day, but if you take the entire loop from Vegas, plan on spending from two to six days.
Links:
America’s Byways
http://byways.org/explore/byways/2029
Little A’Le’Inn
http://littlealeinn.com
Dreamland Resort The Leading area 51 Research Website
http://www.dreamlandresort.com