Tales from the Extraterrestrial Highway

[Rachel, NV] — Signs advising “Low Flying Aircraft” are your first indication. The next is a sign warning “Next Gas 150 Miles.” Then an illuminated, flashing advisory: “Cattle in Roadway: Open Range.” Hmm, I think; the government really doesn’t want you here, even going so far as to send in specially-trained cows to annoy motorists.

I’m approaching Area 51 on Nevada state road 375, officially designated the “Extraterrestrial Highway.” The desolate roadway borders the Nevada Test Site, where the government conducted above-ground and underground nuclear tests between 1951 and 1992, and  Area 51, a secret government facility, where — according to conspiracy theorists, at least — space aliens and UFOs consort with scientists and investigators. No one knows for sure, though — at least not anyone who’s talking.

One place they do talk, however, is at the Little A’Le’Inn, a bar, restaurant, and gift shop; the main (and only) attraction in the isolated outpost of Rachel, Nevada, the closest town — if you could call it that — to Area 51. I pull my Harley Road Glide Ultra — borrowed from Harley-Davidson’s Los Angeles press fleet — into the gravel parking lot. I’m told that on the weekends, the spot is a destination for bikers from all over, but on this weekday, I’m the only customer.

I sit at the bar, order a World Famous Alien Burger and a Diet Coke, and shoot the breeze with bartender Mark Singer. A friendly enough guy, but he’s decidedly noncommittal about whether I’m likely to see any visitors from outer space. “Guess it depends on how much tequila you drink,” he says. He tells me he’s never seen any extraterrestrials himself, but that lots of locals and visitors have claimed to. Regarding the subject, he shrugs his shoulders. I get it — tourists will come and the bar will make money either way, so no need to get all philosophical.

I hate to say it, but the burger kind of sucked, in an overcooked, dried-out way. But no one really comes here for the food, anyway. “We get people from all over the world, hoping to see aliens,” the bartender says.

Besides food and drink, the Little A’Le’Inn’s gift shop is well-stocked in alien tsotskes — postcards, T-shirts, shot glasses, coffee mugs, blow-up alien dolls — all the usual extraterrestrial memorabilia, along with bottles of special “Alien Tequila” (slogan: “An abduction in every bottle”).

It’s late afternoon by now, so I ride back to my overnight lodging in the town of Alamo, 50 miles away, enjoying the scenery, and keeping an eye out for extraterrestrials and top-secret, government-trained cattle in the roadway. I’m disappointed on both counts, but not by the ride and the scenery — it’s as beautiful as you’re likely to find anywhere.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Little A’Le’Inn
HC61 Box 45
Rachel, NV 89001
775-729-2515

http://www.littlealeinn.com/

Alien Tequila
Watch for Secret Agent Cows

32 comments

  1. Wish I had seen this before, just got back from NV road trip. Did not stop at the Inn because nothing outside said it had gifts.

  2. How did I miss this post before?? Better late than never. As often as I’ve driven through various parts of Nevada, I’ve never been on the Extraterrestrial Highway. I’d love to take this route. The scenery looks amazing. (Don’t really care to see an alien anyway.)

  3. Next time you stop there don’t over talk to the waiter, the cook may be enjoying listening to your story and over cooked the patty. Beside, I think it is just a gimmick for that place to get more tourist to come.

  4. LOL on the specialty-trained cows. Got to get me one as a gift for my granny’s farm.

    Those blow-up alien dolls look hair-raisingly real. Did you buy anything from the souvenir shop?

  5. Really? Is that aliens destination place? That would be my next stop for my planned vacation . Just love to meet that waiter and no plans ordering that dry patty burger.

  6. Wow! an interesting story. I wish I could meet the bartender too and have a nice chat with Tequila . Who knows may be we both can find an answer.

  7. I can see myself on a family vacation stopping by there sometime. There are a lot of cool things that I don’t need that I want to buy from that gift shop. Great article and I loved the way you narrated it.

  8. This is cute yet scary! I wanna try this experience and have a trip in this highway! The alien stuffs are cute though.

  9. I keep forgetting that Area 51 is in Nevada. I should make pilgrimage to Area 51 the next time I am in Vegas. Did I mention I was an Xphile back in the day? lol

  10. Love the alien photos. However, think this place is a bit overhyped and it seems the bartender feels the same way. You’re right that the government doesn’t seem to want you there. I am not sure I would want to be either. Seriously, if an alien comes to earth couldn’t they pick a better spot??

    1. It’s true, Jeremy, there is hype in abundance around Area 51 — but I guess no one would go there otherwise. It is a beautiful ride through a desolate area, and that’s part of what makes it so cool!

  11. This post is out of this world (sorry about that, couldn’t help myself).

    I love learning about these off-the-beaten-path places – they really are the best parts of a national road trip and always fill Kent and I with an odd sort of patriotism. We like that America is weird. :)

  12. This so much appeal to my sense of the bizarre and outrageous. What a place, what a ride. Are the cattle extraterrestrial too? I have to say this: as soon as I see on TBX that a new post of yours is up, I hasten to read it.

Leave a Reply to Stephanie - The Travel Chica Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *