Today we decided to go visit Area 51 for the second time this month. We enjoy heading out there as a family and seeing what is going on. Today there was a little something for everybody. I can't remember the last time we went out in this area and didn't have a great time.

We started out the trip a little later than normal. It was 12:30pm when we left. With the time change, it wasn't a problem. After visiting Alamo, Area 51, and Rachel, we head to Caliente to eat dinner. It makes for a long day, but with the time change it works out perfectly. Once arriving in Alamo, we took the road to check out the Lincoln County Sheriff's Annex to see which "White Bus" will be parked out in front. They must be cutting money everywhere because the same small old Blue Bird bus was parked out in front. That has been the same bus for the past few months. I wonder what happened to the nice big new one! I am happy to say that Alamo now has a nice new pizza place to eat at. I am happy for the people that live in Alamo. The Chevron must have been getting old.

This trip we decided not to go down Groom Lake Road and visit the "cammo dudes" at the warning signs. It has been a few months since I went to the back gate in Rachel during the day light, so we headed for the back gate. We arrived at the gate and found we were the only ones there. It appeared to be empty in the guard shack. If it wasn't for the camera, I would have felt completely alone there and capable of doing anything. I quickly came to my senses and realized we are never truly alone near any of the border points.

The back gate looked pretty much the same. There were a few nice pieces of radar equipment behind the shack and to the left. I didn't really get a chance to take pictures of the equipment because the wind was blowing like crazy and the three females in the car with me had to use the restroom (wife, and two daughters!). We raced back to the Little A Le Inn for a restroom break and a few sodas. It was real quiet in there.

After a rest at the Inn, we headed back down the ET HWY toward Caliente. A few miles from the "black mailbox" we noticed some of the Area 51 Alien cows in the road. The family loved it because there was a little calf with his mama. The family loved the cows and especially the calf. I bet those cows see and hear some pretty neat stuff! Dinner was great in Caliente and the trip back to Vegas was peaceful and relaxing. Everybody but me was sound asleep. No sighting of secret military projects, UFO's or any aliens, but the trip was still FUN!