No rest for the weary, we are up bright and early in time to
make it to the International UFO Museum & Research Center at 9:00 when the
doors open. Roswell’s main claim to fame is the crash landing of the UFO and
the town really embraces the legend. The majority of buildings near the UFO
museum have murals dedicated to their extraterrestrial visitors, really adding
to the conspiracy & mystery shrouding the event. The museum is dedicated to
the intergalactic government conspiracy theory making for an interesting stop
on our venture and at only $5 a person it was definitely worth it. 
In 1947 a UFO supposedly crash landed in Roswell, New
Mexico. However, despite various accounts from locals who claim to have seen
the UFO and the three aliens within it, the government played the incident off
as a downed weather balloon. The museum appears to operate on a relatively small
budget and would likely be more convincing with a better layout and protected
original documents as opposed to photocopies.
Despite, the overall presentation, the museum was incredibly interesting
and although I was tempted to believe the extraterrestrial tale, the lack of
physical evidence available overruled my secret desire to have proof of alien
life.
Despite Roswell’s intriguing history, it was only a short
stop on our adventure, and the town was in the rear-view by 10am. From Roswell
to Albuquerque we drove through barren plains towards massive storm clouds
boasting walls of rain. Other than the occasional
slight undulation of the plains the only things blocking your view were the
tumbleweeds that were gradually replaced by bushes as we approached the Sandia
Mountains.
After lunch in Albuquerque we piled back in the truck and
continued towards Flagstaff, Arizona. Such a pretty stretch of road! Surrounded
by mountains and plateaus we drove through Indian reservations and tiny towns under
a veil of spotty rain from unpredictable clouds. As we drove through the rain
into the sun, a double rainbow appeared behind us and suddenly the rain disappeared
to be replaced by the blue skies before us dotted with fluffy and wispy white
clouds leading the way towards the mountains in the distance.
As Red Mountain appears ahead of us, the plain that had been
surrounding us begins to become populated by ever growing trees and as we emerge
in Flagstaff we find ourselves looking out onto a forest of pine tree with the
mountain standing in all its grandeur just behind. Driving through Flagstaff
surrounded by the pines it is hard to believe we are still in Arizona. Yet, we
eventually emerge out of the forest and find ourselves once again driving in
open plains. However, this time the vast expanse before us rolls its way
towards the mountains and hills surrounding it making for a stunning view to
take us into Nevada.
Driving past the glowing lights of the Hoover Dam in darkness,
the only other visible light came from the stars twinkling in the sky. Until suddenly, you reach the crest of a hill
and find yourself facing the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Casino lights guide you
in to the Las Vegas Strip and an overwhelming sense of excitement and good luck
rushes over you.
Now that we have settled down into our rooms we are ready
for our night out in Sin City. So I will leave you here until tomorrow.
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