COLORADO

Four Corners
Mesa Verde
Police Run-In
UFO Tower
Police Museum
Trail Ride
Garden of the Gods
Largest Hercules Beetle
Celestial Seasonings Tea
Morrison Ghost Tour
Coors Brewing Co.
Off-Roading

UFO Watchtower

(Hooper, Colorado)

**TOP PICK OF OUR COLORADO TRIP**

Excerpts from Beth:
"On your left!" shrieked Kristy from the passenger seat.

We were just barely starting our morning after successfully procuring hot beverages, so an outburst from Miss "Don't Bother Me Before My Tea" was completely unexpected. Too caffeine deficient to argue with the orders, I pulled into a driveway that looked like your standard, run-of-the-mill ranch entrance. Except, that is, for the smiling, swimming-pool-aqua, plywood cutout of an alien. "UFO Watchtower" proclaimed the sign. It might as well have said, "Roadchix Enter Here."

This was right up our alley! We were smack dab in the middle of nowhere, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a UFO watchtower and adjoining campground had been constructed. It seemed like prime territory for UFO chasers and alien enthusiasts.

We drove approximately 2 miles per hour along the dirt path in awe of the crazy collection of alien cutouts that served as street signs, campsite markers, and whimsical decoration. The road dead-ended at a half-dome shaped building with a peculiar metal ramp and platform winding from it. The building was, naturally, a gift shop (a very good sign that we'd found a roadchix-worthy attraction).

We struck up a conversation with the owner who had moved to the area to try her hand at cattle-ranching, but had since sold the cows to become a full-time UFO gazer and had turned her ranch into a campground to house the alien-watching, paranormal-curious population. She is passionate about her occupation and more than willing to tell her story and talk UFO's for a while. She'll even let you pose on the watchtower (after paying the $1 entrance fee) with a stuffed alien.

So do they exist? She's seen four. There was even a sighting a few nights before our arrival (dang!! C'mon AAA, put this one in your CampBook). We can't give you great directions, but if you happen upon the watchtower, it's worth camping for a potential alien sighting!

http://www.ufowatchtower.com/