Arizona bound, but first...
After leaving the beauty and heat of the desert, I found myself exploring a Bristlecone Forest, the greenery a beautiful and stark difference from days of golden, sand-filled landscapes. Heading for Route 50, America's Loneliest Highway, nights fell to just above freezing and the wide open road lulled me continue my backroad meandering. I rarely refer to guidebooks, occasionally use printed maps, but more often than not, just follow my nose and instincts and I love coming across treasures, like Cathedral Gorge, miles and miles of pink and orange rock resembling sculpted, melted icing. And later, looking for a spot to camp out for the night, finding shade by a sweet juniper tree next to a highway sign reading, Extraterrestrial Highway. Realizing then my proximity to Area 51 as well as the town, Rachel whose claim to fame is the Ale'Inn and all things alien, how could I resist?
Waking at 6:30 to first light, I headed off down the bumpy, dusty road, 46 miles to alien-themed fun the sign promises. I am a bit embarrassed to admit how excited I was about all of this. While natural wonders are well, wonderful, I'm also a big fan of weird, dorky, off the beaten path things, places and people. Testing my brakes when I took a corner and saw a signpost for the Area 51 Alien Research Center started off my morning adventure and as I continued the highway on and on and on towards alienville, I found myself laughing, surmising if the donkeys in the fields were really donkeys, or aliens in disguise. It doesn't take much to get the imagination going when you're out on the road all by yourself. The AleInn was well worth the journey, not only for immersing myself in an environment of whacky silliness, with 23 individuals coming in and out for the hour I was there, asking questions about Area 51, alien sightings and buying chotchkes, from alien Christmas stockings to bumper stickers, shot glasses and t-shirts, but I also struck up a conversation with a couple from Utah who shared the stories of their ongoing recovery from having been diagnosed with Covid back in April, the first individuals I've ever met who tested positive. They are gracious and kind, funny and willing to answer my many questions, for which I'm very grateful for many reasons.
Leaving this fun area behind, I make my way back the way I came that morning and prepare to leave the backroads and hit the highway, returning to Las Vegas to pick up the boxes I mailed to myself from home and that didn't arrive before I headed off. Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to know that the two boxes contained painted rocks from members of Homer Rocks, that I'll be hiding and gifting throughout my trip. 150 painted rocks to be exact! And, I got to see my friend Karri again and meet two of her coworkers, dressed as Superheros for Halloween, including one who shared her story of her own journey recovering from Covid.
And so, going into week two, I continue to bump into beautiful and interesting sights and beautiful and interesting people. I've been delighted to see most everyone wearing masks here in Nevada, and am curious about mask mandates in Arizona, where I'm heading next to explore historic Route 66, other backroads and finally, at 51, visit the Grand Canyon. After reorganizing my van several times, I finally figured out my favorite sleeping spot to tuck in and listen - to the wind-rustled leaves when I'm camped in a forest, coyotes howling and owls hooting when I'm parked deep off the road and people murmuring when I'm nestled among others in a campground. Even the night I slept at a truckstop, listening to the engines purring dusk to dawn was lovely in its own way, reminding me that while I'm on this trip alone, I'm not alone out here.
Hugs from the highway. Stay safe out there!
