Aliens and Rock and Roll

We're on the road bright and early because it's going to be a long day of driving.

After driving through the desert and White Sands (see previous blogs), we climb through the mountains to get to Roswell NM.

After setting up in our new sandy, windy RV Resort, and after a good nights sleep (we were up early, remember?), we head over to the Roswell County museum to see everything about it's history. This was the first display we saw. It so represented everything we strive for that I had to take this picture. Now that's RVing! The model is about 12" long; if you can zoom in, the detail is amazing!

A large part of the museum features Robert Goddard, the father of modern rocketry. He was bigger than life. He developed rocket engines and flight systems that the Nazis copied in their V2 rockets and was ultimately used for the Apollo moon program. His original work shop and early rockets are on display. Excellent displays of western life, including guns, uniforms and Indian garb are also featured but I just knew they would bore you so I didn't take any pictures.

Besides, I know what you're really interested in when you think of Roswell; Aliens! This is the centre of Alien lore and where it all began. In 1947, on a ranch near Roswell, an alien space craft crashed and started a chain of events still resonating to this day. I can't cover the myriad of tiny details in this limited space so suffice it to say: alien relics, alien bodies, government cover ups, death threats, and a community still benefiting from the repercussions today. 350,000 worldwide visitors each year trying to resolve the conflicting versions of events so long ago.

Based on witness descriptions, the Aliens were about 3' high with big eyes and no clothes. It's no wonder the government covered this up. 

 The UFO museum and Heritage Center have vignettes based on witness testimony and documented evidence. These sources indicate that there were 3 Alien bodies and at least one survivor. It is assumed that the bodies were preserved in some way to allow future study; this is one suggestion.

Numerous witnesses described autopsies being performed on the Alien bodies. One nurse who described the procedures in great detail died of an apparent suicide shortly after her public revelation; hmmm.

A mockup of the crash site was made based on the description by Mac Brazel, the ranch foreman who originally found the site. After being held by the military for 4 days, he revised his story to the official version of a weather balloon and refused to speak of the event again. Doesn't really look like a weather balloon does it?

The museum is filled with documentation and sworn eyewitness accounts supporting an actual Alien event. After hours of intense study, it's hard to believe the official story. All in All, I found the Aliens to be friendly and not very threatening. I'm a believer.

Our next stop takes us from New Mexico into Texas. No snow yet! Bonus.

Lubbock Texas is the epicenter of Rock and Roll. Buddy Holly was the biggest influence of future rock and rollers, from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones. From his first #1 hit to his death was only 18 months yet his influence is still being felt.

The Buddy Holly museum in Lubbock covers his meteoric career. I must admit I've always been a great fan and have felt a great sadness about what might have been. Believe it or not, he created the "band", a leader with a backup group. Before him, singers usually had a studio backup or played solo.  After Buddy Holly and the Crickets went on a British tour, the Beatles formed their group based on his format. Buddy Hollys backup group was called the "Crickets", so the Beatles based their name on an insect as well. A video at the museum shows Paul McCarney discussing how the Crickets helped them form their band. Amazing influences.

As the Crickets gelled, they practiced their future songs and performances in the bedroom of their drummer, Jerry Allison in Lubbock. His childhood home has been moved to the museum and is historically accurate. These are his drums that were used during their jam sessions in his bedroom. They wouldn't give me any drum sticks, I guess there was some worry about me out performing him. Buddy died in a plane crash in Feb 1959 during a snow storm in Clear Lake, Iowa. Who knows what he might have done?

On to our next stop. This rest area in mid Texas was a great stop, unfortunately the picture doesn't show much, although if you can zoom in, the sign in the centre says " beware of rattlesnakes". Just a typical example of the dangers we face as we travel.

Now we're in Sherman TX. As I've stated many times, every spot has its claim to fame. Well, I'm not too sure about Sherman. It has a great history but nothing to show for it. No local history to speak of, so we went north to Denison TX to find the birth home of Dwight D Eisenhower. You may remember him as the supreme allied commander of the European theatre during WW2 and later, president of the US. Great trees from little acorns grow. OK. We are now up to date, lets see what's coming next.