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On The Extraterrestrial HighwayBy Alexandra GnaedigDriving through the deserts of Nevada I could not help but have an eerie feeling, especially while I was searching for Unidentified Flying Objects. Allowing my imagination to wander, I pictured cameras strategically placed in the ever-growing strange formations in the landscape, high tech cameras lurking at every mile of the highway.
I was heading for Rachel, Nevada a small town known for its knowledge of aircraft of the unknown. U.S. secret testing is at its best here. I first heard of this town through a friend, he traveled to this remote destination in search of the unknown. With Nellis Air force Base located so near, experiences are waiting for anyone willing to brave the night air of the desert and the unexplained. Before reaching my final destinations, I caught sight of a newly paved road that did not belong in this isolated area. Off the main road, I turned looking to confront the unknown. I drove for what seemed like an hour before I caught sight of civilization; a man driving a white, unmarked jeep drove by me. Now I am sure he found it interesting (and confusing) to see my car with Ontario plates driving down this isolated road. But then again, I found it mysterious that he was also down this very same road with no plates on his car. Finally, an entry sign into the air force base responsible for many of the stories surrounding this sector, Nellis Air force Base. I thought of continuing into the air base for a closer look but I knew once I passed that barrier, guards would surround my car and playing ignorant would not suffice So I decided to play it safe and go back to my original plan and head for Rachel. My first sight of the town was the advertisement for the Little Al’ien Inn. I drove to a small store with all types of Area 51 paraphernalia. After glancing around the store, I purchased a small patch for my knapsack that acknowledged my visit. As I paid, the shopkeeper explained that the air force would be conducting tests on aircraft this evening. Apparently, I stumbled upon what the air force called their ”red flag” time, in laments term’s top secret testing will commence this evening. The shopkeeper himself once witnessed such testing months ago, after spending the evening waiting for the classified testing to begin. Upon leaving the store, he left me with this piece of advice “don’t get abducted by aliens”. I concluded that I would stay the evening, hoping to a catch glimpse of what the United States Air Force would dare not have me view. The temptation was too great to witness, something that is forbidden. The shopkeeper informed me of an area marked by a mailbox by the side of the highway that offers the best vantage point for aircraft viewing. I decided to check out the spot during the day, so that I would be able to find this “needle in a haystack “at night. Even during the day, I almost drove right by this small landmark in the vast desert. Since, I had many hours before nightfall I decided to do a little exploring. I continued to drive down the road, and I soon came to a series of signs and surveillance cameras. This marks the entrance to a territory tangled in mystery. With the constant hush of the authorities, they have helped create the hype that brings people like me to investigate. The signs were very clear that visitors were definitely not allowed. “Warning Military Installation” and “Warning Restricted Area” were posted on the side of the road. There was no gate, but there was no doubt that I was not allowed to pass this imaginary line. I did break one rule “Photography of This Area Is Prohibited”; I just had to take one shot of all these signs.
After staring into the sky for some time now, I noticed a stream of light pass overhead. It was so quick that I wasn’t able to determine what exactly it was. I asked the couple next to me if they had also seen this light. They had, but dismissed it as a “shooting star”. Since I had been in the darkness of night for sometime now, I asked myself if this truly was a plane so fast that the naked eye could barely catch a glimpse of it. Was I trying to convince myself that dealing with the fierce desert wind and the strange animal noises in the background were well worth it? Hours passed and the streaming light had now become a distant memory. My dreams of witnessing something completely out of the ordinary were dashed. The couple from Washington had decided to call it a night long time ago. Should I continue to wait? Will anything happen? Well, I did not get the answers I was hoping for, however, while gazing up at the sky, I never bothered to look 10 feet in front of me. A herd of cattle surrounding me, at least I had some company. However, an exhausted and paranoid person could think that these innocent looking cattle were actually encoded with cameras to monitor my every move and sound. No, to far fetched even for this alien searcher. It was well into the next morning and nothing to report. I finally gave up and decided to pack up and head out. Sadly, I realized that nothing would be done while I stood here with the moos of cows keeping me awake. As I drove away, I noticed another stream of light, not as bright as the first I witnessed but enough to capture my attention. I reversed the car back to my station to wait with new anticipation. An hour passed and nothing. Was I keeping the military from doing their duty? Did I honestly believe that they would test top-secret information with me in the grand stands watching and waiting? Being as exhausted as I was I begun to think there was someone playing a cruel trick on me with this final flash of light. Some military jokes to get me back from delaying their top secret testing. At five in the morning, this disappointed traveler decided to leave. While driving away, I thought of the evening that just passed. Could the stream of light have been a shooting star or my exhausted eyes playing tricks on me? No. It was definitely something that I had the privilege to experience for a mere second, but not the top-secret clearance to witness the entire procedure. Photos by Michael Gnaedig Notes: Rachel Nevada is about 100 miles from Las
Vegas. |
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TM
The
covert cameras allow the United States government the opportunity to hide
all top-secret machinery and watch my every move. After all, this is what
goes through your mind while driving down the Extraterrestrial Highway.
After
a beautiful sunset in the desert, I made my way back to “mailbox road” and
found another couple. They were out hunting aliens from Seattle, Washington
and had not witnessed anything unusual.