An RV journey within the USA is on many Australians’ bucket lists, and for many who like uncrowded roads and quirky sights, Nevada is a best choice. One in all my favorite highway journeys in Nevada is the Extraterrestrial Freeway. However then once more, I named my firstborn baby after a basic alien sci-fi movie.
The Extraterrestrial Freeway isn’t nearly potential sightings of otherworldly guests. It’s about celebrating the quirky and strange and simply going with the cheesiness of all of it. On this Nevada highway journey, you’ll meet a fortune-telling Alien Trump, go to the Little A’Le’Inn featured within the film Paul, drive previous the well-known Space 51, go to the long-lasting Black Mailbox, and doubtless refill on a complete lot of kitschy Alien souvenirs. So with out additional ado, listed below are the quirky highlights to be discovered alongside the E.T. Freeway in Nevada.
#1. E.T. Recent Jerky, Hiko
Yeah, you’ve had jerky earlier than, however I guess you’ve by no means had Alien Jerky from Nevada. If masticating dried meat shouldn’t be your type, there are additionally loads of Alien-themed lollies and souvenirs right here to set you up for the remainder of the Extraterrestrial Freeway highway journey. Don’t miss the Martian-Poop flavoured comfortable drink (or soda, as they name it right here) and, for those who prefer it scorching, the jalapeno pistachios.
Though the spotlight right here isn’t actually the meals, it’s the Alien Trump fortune teller that you simply’ll discover contained in the E.T. Recent Jerky store. Feed him a US greenback invoice, and he’ll say one thing ‘profound’ like, “I’m going to construct a wall, and Mexico goes to pay for it”. He’ll even provide you with you a memento ticket to melt the blow that you simply ain’t getting that greenback again.
Exterior the store, you’ll discover loads of photograph alternatives, together with a big alien-themed mural on a wall and a crashed UFO. If we’re being sincere, the mural is a bit amateurish, but it surely sort of provides to the enjoyable of the Extraterrestrial Freeway highway journey cheesiness. Oh, and if you could go to the toilet, now’s the time to do it as a result of E.T. Recent Jerky boasts the “cleanest restrooms in Space 51”.
#2. E.T. Freeway Signal, Hiko
It wouldn’t be an RV highway journey for those who didn’t snap a selfie in entrance of the official Extraterrestrial Freeway signal. You’ll discover it a minute’s drive previous E.T. Recent Jerky alongside Freeway 318. It’s additionally the place you’ll veer off onto Freeway 375, the official ET Freeway. When you have a spare sticker with you, slap it on one of many two signpost poles…everyone else has.
#3. Alien Analysis Centre, Hiko
The Alien Analysis Centre is an additional two-minute drive previous the E.T. Freeway Signal on the Extraterrestrial Freeway. You possibly can’t miss it as a result of ridiculously tall Alien you may see on the fitting, gleaming within the desert solar like an precise UFO. This large two-story silver alien stands on the gateway to a big silver Quonset hut, in any other case referred to as the Alien Analysis Centre. It’s probably not a analysis centre, although, however reasonably a store stuffed with Alien souvenirs, fascinating tidbits and highway snacks. In case you’ve acquired any burning questions on the place to identify a UFO and the place to search out the doorway to Space 51, ask away. Though it’s possible you’ll or might not get a solution to the latter.
#4. The Black Mailbox, between Crystal Springs and Rachel
Round 30 kilometres (18.7 miles) previous the Alien Analysis Centre alongside Freeway 375, you’ll discover the black mailbox. It’s simple to overlook, and also you may need to backtrack. This iconic mailbox has been the assembly place for extraterrestrial-obsessed highway trippers for many years.
The unique mailbox was owned by ranch proprietor Steve Medlin, who doesn’t imagine in aliens and says he has not seen any air visitors past US army flights coming and going from the close by base. As his mailbox stored getting stolen and vandalised by these looking for alien contact, he moved it additional away from the freeway. This one has been left alongside the Extraterrestrial Freeway so that you can slap your sticker on it and depart a scribbled message for otherworldly guests.
What was within the mailbox after we visited? A cheeto and a meatstick, neither of which have been in a packet (gross), fairly a couple of notes to our ET pals, and a half-eaten packet of medicated gummies. Would I’ve seen an alien if I ate the remainder of these gummies? Possibly!
#5. Space 51, Nevada
That is what Journey Nevada has to say about Space 51 and its lengthy historical past of reported UFO sightings:
It’s additionally the one photograph I can share as, technically, you’re probably not purported to go on the lookout for it, and for those who do discover an entrance of kinds, there are many indicators warning to not take images of the doorway… erm, so I’m advised. Nonetheless, in case you have a fast peek at Google Maps – you may get an inkling of the place it lies in Nevada. However certainly they’re intelligent sufficient to have a decoy Space 51 on Google? And why do I’ve cellphone reception all over the place (and I imply all over the place) in Nevada besides right here? I feel these medicated gummies have made me paranoid.
What we do know is that Space 51 exists. The US authorities lastly admitted this in 2013, and because it’s a part of an lively army base, it’s guarded by fairly heavy safety. Somewhat additional analysis will let you know that it was inbuilt 1955 to function a testing website for the U-2 spy airplane. Different well-known plane reportedly examined at Space 51 embrace the Archangel-12, the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, and even the X-Males’s most well-liked mode of transport – the SR-71 Blackbird.
Space 51 is a no-go zone
On the finish of the day, you may’t go to Space 51 alongside the Extraterrestrial Freeway. It stays a top-secret facility that the US authorities don’t need you close to. The closest you may get in a car remains to be round 24 kilometres (15 miles) away, and the airspace is so restricted that even sending a drone up will garner a right away response that received’t go in your favour.
Since I couldn’t snap you a photograph, right here’s an AI-generated picture of an alien standing in entrance of a black mailbox in Nevada as a substitute:
#6. The Little A’Le’Inn
Round 32 kilometres (20 miles) additional alongside the Extraterrestrial Freeway, you’ll discover the Little A’Le’Inn within the tiny city of Rachel. With a inhabitants of round 54, it’s the closest city to that secretive US Air Power Base we have been simply speaking about. In case you’re a fan of the film Paul, which got here out in 2011, you’ll recognise its likeness from one of many iconic scenes within the film. In case you haven’t seen it, cease studying this and go watch it now. I promise you received’t remorse it.
The Little A’Le’Inn is a prime place to seize some extra souvenirs and is the perfect place (the one place) round to seize some grub. Inside you’ll discover first-person UFO accounts and images adorning the wall, quirky swag, and a classic Pacman recreation that also works for those who’ve acquired a couple of US quarters in your pocket.
The locals are pleasant, and for those who’re interested by recognizing little inexperienced males or need to get as shut as legally allowed to Space 51, cling round for an extended chat. Exterior, you’ll discover loads of quirky photograph alternatives.
#7. Clown Motel, Tonopah
With 175 kilometres (109 miles) of nothing however a tremendous panorama between the Little A’Le’Inn and your remaining vacation spot, make certain to get your caffeine repair earlier than this final leg of the Extraterrestrial Freeway.
If you lastly do attain Tonopah, the final quirky attraction is the world-famous Clown Motel. Also called ‘America’s Scariest Lodge’. It’s precisely what it seems like, an excellent creepy clown motel that has been drawing in die-hard horror followers for fairly a while. You don’t have to remain right here to benefit from the clowns, although. The foyer boasts one of many largest personal collections of clown collectible figurines and memorabilia beneath the solar, and anybody is welcome to pop in and examine them out. In case you’re fortunate, the employees will fortunately present you a few of the themed rooms, one in every of which incorporates Pennywise from Stephen King’s basic horror story, “It”.
In case you do determine to remain right here, rumours abound that sure horror-themed rooms are haunted, and its location subsequent to the historic Outdated Tonopah Cemetery definitely provides to the creepy ambiance.
Let’s be sincere, you are able to do this journey in your RV in at some point. However the place’s the enjoyable in that? You’re on vacation, so take your time and keep someplace in a single day so you may stretch out these breakfasts and lunches and linger longer for tacky images in all of the enjoyable locations.
Little A’Le’Inn: Park your RV right here for USD $30 per night time. Drive by way of websites, energy and water can be found however no sewerage hookup.
Tonopah: Ditch your RV for the Clown Motel for those who dare, or park at Tonopah RV for USD $35 per night time on the sting of city. Right here you’ll discover pull-through websites, full hook-up, WIFI, and clear laundry and bathe services.
Helpful info on hiring an RV in Nevada
RV rent
We went with Cruise America and picked up and dropped off our motorhome in Las Vegas. Our 30ft RV was the most important on supply, and whereas it appears massive by Australian requirements, we have been typically the smallest by far in Nevada campsites, which have been chock full of enormous American autos pulling even bigger fifth-wheelers, or massive buses flat towing Jeeps or ATVs on a trailer. Most individuals are comfortable to indicate you their wonderful rigs!
Highway situations
After all, you’ll have to get used to driving on the right-hand aspect of the highway fairly shortly within the USA, however on the whole, the roads in Nevada are glorious by Australian requirements. Even the not-so-excellent ones are simply managed in a big RV.
With roads constructed for RVs and RVs constructed for consolation, hiring an RV in Nevada is a visit price remembering for all the fitting causes for Aussies!
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