Crashed UFO at E-T Fresh Jerky, Extra-Terrestrial Highway, Nevada

Hello again, fellow wanderers! It’s us, the Vagabond Couple, back with another chapter of our epic 9,000-mile road trip across the USA and Mexico, after yesterday's Journey Through Towering Cliffs and Canyons of Wonder at Zion National Park.

Today’s journey marks the end of our unforgettable exploration of Southern Utah and the beginning of a new adventure as we venture into the mystical, otherworldly landscapes of Nevada’s Extra-Terrestrial Highway. But before we get to the aliens (yes, aliens!), we’ve got a lot of ground to cover—literally. From the red rock wonders of Arizona to the glitz and glamour (or lack thereof) of Las Vegas and finally to the eerie beauty of the Mojave Desert, this day was a wild ride. So grab your favorite road trip snack, settle in and let’s hit the road!

Saint George to Arizona: A Desert Drive

We started our day early, leaving our hotel in Saint George, Utah and hopping into Shehzadi (our trusty Toyota Tundra) for the drive south on I-15 (Veterans Memorial Highway). As we crossed into Arizona, the landscape began to change, with the red rock cliffs of Utah giving way to the rugged, arid beauty of the Mojave Desert.

Our first stop was Elephant Arch, a natural rock formation that, as the name suggests, looks like an elephant. It’s a quick detour off the highway, but well worth it for the photo op and the chance to stretch our legs. From there, we continued south, passing through the Virgin River Canyon and Virgin River Gorge, two of the most scenic stretches of highway in the country.

The Virgin River Gorge is a geological wonder, with towering cliffs of red and white sandstone rising on either side of the road. The gorge was carved by the Virgin River over millions of years and driving through it feels like entering another world. The Native American Paiute people, who have lived in this area for thousands of years, consider the gorge a sacred place, filled with stories of spirits and ancient beings.

Thelma and Louise drive off the cliff at Beaver Dam Wash, Arizona

As we drove, we couldn’t help but think of the movie Thelma & Louise, which was filmed in this area, specifically at the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area. The film’s iconic final scene, where the duo drives off a cliff into the Grand Canyon, was actually shot at the Beaver Dam Wash at northwest corner of Arizona. It’s a reminder of how this landscape has inspired artists, filmmakers and dreamers for generations.

Mesquite: A Gateway to Nevada

Our next stop was the city of Mesquite, located right on the Arizona-Nevada border. Mesquite is a small town with a big personality, known for its golf courses, casinos and stunning desert views. We didn’t stay long, but we did take a moment to appreciate the town’s unique charm and the contrast between the rugged desert landscape and the manicured greens of the golf courses.

Las Vegas: A Brief Detour

From Mesquite, we continued south on Interstate-15 deeper into Nevada, eventually reaching Las Vegas. Now, let’s be honest - we’re not big fans of Vegas. The city’s lack of deep-rooted history and culture, combined with its casino-driven tourism, just doesn’t resonate with us. But we couldn’t resist a quick drive down the Las Vegas Strip to see how much (or how little) had changed since our last visit.

Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

The Strip was as flashy and over-the-top as ever, with its towering hotels and endless crowds. We drove past iconic landmarks like the Bellagio Fountains, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, but we didn’t linger. For us, the real beauty of Nevada lies beyond the city limits, in the vast, open desert.

Hoover Dam: A Marvel of Engineering

Robert L. Mendenhall Scenic Overlook on I-11 towards Hoover Dam / Lake Mead

From Las Vegas, we headed south on Interstate-11 (Purple Heart Highway / Boulder City Bypass) to the Hoover Dam, one of the most impressive engineering feats in the world. The dam, which spans the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, was built during the Great Depression and remains a symbol of American ingenuity and perseverance.

A drastically depleted Lake Mead at Hoover Dam

As we approached the dam, we couldn’t help but notice how low the water levels were compared to our last visit many years ago. It’s a stark reminder of the ongoing drought in the Southwest and the challenges of managing water resources in this arid region.

Hoover Dam on Colorado River

We parked Shehzadi and walked out onto the dam, marveling at the sheer scale of the structure and the stunning views of Lake Mead and the surrounding desert. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the USA in terms of volume of water. The second-largest reservoir in the USA is Lake Powell created by Glen Canyon Dam also on the Colorado River. We will visit the beautiful Lake Powell later on our 9000-mile journey across the United States.

Colorado River outflow at Hoover Dam

Into the Nevada's Mystical Mojave: The Road to E.T. Country

Crashed UFO at E-T Fresh Jerky, Extra-Terrestrial Highway, Nevada

After our visit to the Hoover Dam, we drove back north on I-11 to Las Vegas and then continued north on Northbound I-15, eventually exiting onto US-93 North. This route took us into the heart of Nevada’s mystical E.T. Country, a place that’s as mysterious as it is beautiful.

E-T- Fresh Jerky, Extraterrestrial Highway

Our first stop in E.T. Country was E-T Fresh Jerky, located at the beginning of the legendary Extra-Terrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375). This quirky little store is a must-visit for anyone traveling this route, with its alien-themed decor and wide selection of jerky (including some flavors that are, well, out of this world).

E-T- Fresh Jerky, Extraterrestrial Highway

E-T-Fresh Jerky has become a staple for travelers exploring this remote and otherworldly stretch of the E.T. Hwy (State Route 375). Established in the late 1990s, the store capitalized on the area's UFO lore, particularly its proximity to the infamous Area 51.

E-T- Fresh Jerky, Extraterrestrial Highway

Known for its playful alien-themed branding, E-T-Fresh Jerky offers a variety of smoked meats, snacks and souvenirs, blending roadside convenience with the mystique of extraterrestrial culture.

E-T- Fresh Jerky, Extraterrestrial Highway

Over the years, it has grown into a must-visit destination for road-trippers, alien enthusiasts and curious adventurers, embodying the unique charm of the Extraterrestrial Highway and its connection to Nevada's desert mysteries.

E-T- Fresh Jerky, Extraterrestrial Highway

As we drove further into the desert, the landscape became increasingly surreal. The vast, open expanse of the Great Mojave Desert stretched out in every direction, with its rugged rock formations, Joshua trees and endless sky. It’s a landscape that has inspired countless movies, songs and works of art, from Star Trek to The X-Files to U2’s “The Joshua Tree”.

The Visual Beauty of the Desert

Extra-Terrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375)

One of the things that struck us most about this drive was the sheer visual beauty of the desert. The play of light and shadow on the rocks, the vibrant colors of the landscape and the sense of vastness and solitude all combined to create a sense of awe and wonder. 

As we drove, we couldn’t help but think of the Native American legends and folklore associated with this area. The Paiute and Shoshone tribes have lived in this region for thousands of years and their stories of spirits, ancient beings and otherworldly encounters add an extra layer of mystery to the landscape.

To Be Continued…

As the sun began to move west, we found ourselves at the edge of E.T. Country, with the Extra-Terrestrial Highway stretching out before us. But that’s a story for the next episode, fellow wanderers. We’ll dive deeper into the mysteries of Nevada’s alien landscape, with stops at the Alien Research Center, the town of Rachel, that serves as the gateway to the actual Area-51 facility of the United States Air Force, the Little A’Le’Inn, the weird desert art of Nevada into the Area-21 rest stop and and then on to Death Valley in California!

Until then, keep exploring, keep dreaming and remember: the journey is just as important as the destination.

Reference route map of The Vagabond Couple's 9,000-mile USA & Mexico overland roundtrip: Map-1 and Map-2.

- The Vagabond Couple and Shehzadi