Oat Milk

It looked off. It had a watery consistency and was hazy in appearance. It looked even less appetizing once you paid attention to the chunks of granola and freeze-dried strawberries swimming in the bowl of goop.

But I was the one that decided on buying the watery milk, so I kept eating the cereal (in true “reap what you sow” fashion). I didn’t want to admit defeat.

A few days into my torturous breakfast, the milk had become chunky and looked as if it had spoilt. I thought of it as odd and checked the package for an expiration date. 

Then I read the label; I never actually shook the carton.

11:11

Vitlycke

Surely, I’d find inspiration; something of substance, something worth writing about. That was the intention. But when the time came, my mind didn’t wander. I wasn’t flooded with ideas. I didn’t think much of anything.

I’d often thought about this moment. A borderline fantasy. Yet there I was, drawing a blank.

Times like these can be disheartening. But they’re also life’s reminder that you can’t always force it. Otherwise, you might find yourself frantically doing and re-doing work.

Just like this.

Rachel, NV. Part II.

Groom Lake

The sky here is unreal. You can see things. You might see other things. Whatever you see, its different here. A bizarro version of the Icelandic Northern Lights. 

We did all of our shopping after breakfast. Among the magnets, stickers, mugs, and shot glasses we bought, we also picked up a few copies of a guide to the base. It’s just a single page print out. But its information makes it valuable and it’s a hell of a souvenir. All of the food is delicious by the way. 

The ‘back gate’ is about a 20 minute drive from the town, down an unmarked dirt road. After 10-15 minutes, you start doubting if you took the right way. There’s nothing out here and there seems to be even less up ahead. But a few miles more and the dirt road turns into pavement, your indication that this is the right path. Eventually, you see a few hangars and a security checkpoint in the distance. This is one of the many entrances to the facility and where your road ends. 

Technically photos are not allowed here. There’s signs all over warning you against it. But the area gets a steady flow of visitors and I’m sure the guards are used to it to some degree. Nevertheless, it is very much an active military site so use common sense. 

To be completely honest, we didn’t spend much time at the site. Just enough to admire the snow capped mountains that surrounded us. Enough to speculate about what lies beyond the gate and underneath the dry-lake bed. Long enough to appreciate how lonely it is out here. How quickly you and your friends could vanish without a trace. It’s the desert, after all. 

Speaking of which, we really, really should’ve brought back Casino.

Rachel, NV. Part I.

Little Ale Inn

Get to Vegas and drive up. Eventually, go left. It’s not hard to get here (considering it’s the closest town to Area 51 and all). I could give you better directions, but there’s many that have taken the time to write them out in detail. I’d only advise to keep a full tank of gas, fill up stations are far and few in between.

Though their website and reservation system is a bit antiquated, check in at the Little A’Le’Inn was exceptionally easy. My instructions were to go up to the diner counter and present the cashier with my information. After a few minutes of formalities and a stern warning about smoking inside the room, we had the keys to our mobile home for the night.

Unsure of what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised with the spacious lodging. There were multiple beds, restrooms, and a full kitchen; more than enough for our group. Important: cell signal is non-existent in Rachel and the rooms are not equipped with WiFi. It drove some of my friends crazy. I loved it. There’s only so many places that will give you that sort freedom. Usually, it’s by force. 

From the road, The Little A’Le’Inn looks like a regular-old American diner. But you quickly realize the truck outside is actually towing a flying saucer and the kids aren’t posing for a picture, they’re alien props welcoming you inside, and to earth.

Inside the cafe, there’s more props, along with pictures, signs, clippings, toys, stickers, posters, videos, hats, etc. All the extraterrestrial paraphernalia you can think of. Atop the bar, there are thousands of dollars (some in foreign currency) hanging from the ceiling. Each bearing a mark from the group who left it there. The bartender said that eventually the space runs out, and all the money is donated to a local charity.

To the side, there’s an entire room with a modest collection of VHS tapes that pay special attention to the paranormal and spacey. Except Casino. Did you ever watch Casino? Casino is amazing. But I voted against Casino because it wasn’t “in theme” with the trip. Goddamn it, Chris. 

We spent the majority of our night huddled around the pool table. We made small talk with a few of the locals, enjoyed our neon green drinks (appropriately named Alien Blood), and borrowed some videos from the VHS room for the night. We had plans to come back for breakfast, so the early close time of 10 didn’t affect us. 

Rachel, February ‘19

Little A’le’inn

“Take me to your dealer”