The headquarters for this paranormal paradise is the Little A'Le'Inn Restaurant and Bar, owned by Pat and Joe Travis, who are always ready to fill the curious traveler in on the weird goings-on in the area. Don't forget to order the inn's famous Alien Burger, and if you'd like to make a lengthier investigation, accommodations are available.

Located in an area where mining activity had been going on at least since the 1860s, Rachel itself was not founded until the 1970s, taking its name from the first child born in the community, Rachel Jones.

Limited mining activity and passers-through on Highway 375 has kept the small town afloat over the years, but in 1989, when Bob Lazar of Las Vegas claimed in a television interview that he had been hired to "reverse-engineer" alien craft at the nearby base, Rachel suddenly became -- and remains -- a "must see" destination for thousands of UFO buffs who wanted to get close to the alleged action and scan the nighttime skies for anything untoward hovering over Area 51. After it became apparent that Rachel had found its claim to worldwide fame, the Rachel Bar and Grill quickly became the Little A'Le'Inn.

In 1994, CNN's Larry King originated a live, two-hour special program on UFOs from Rachel. It was one of dozens of Rachel-related media events in the mid '90s, which culminated in then-Governor Bob Miller christening the "Extraterrestrial Highway" in February, 1996. The event was a natural tie-in for 20th Century Fox, which was about to release its mega-hit space invasion saga Independence Day, and sent cast and crew to Rachel for the dedication.

No Pioneer Territory journey is complete without a stop in Rachel, which perhaps is also a stop for some other pioneers ... the ones from Out There.