Area 51 draws curious interest from a variety of individuals

Updated: 10/28 8:20 am

LAS VEGAS (KSNV & MyNews3) -- More than 80 percent of Nevada is owned by the federal government, and none of that land is more closely guarded than Area 51.

This base is an expanse of desert, dry lakes, and mountains approximately the size of Connecticut.

Over the past couple of decades, people interested in the world's most advanced military and spy aircraft, or with interest in alien visitors and UFOs, has been drawn to Area 51.

A trip to area 51 today usually begins with a stop at the Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, with its restaurant, bar and tourist tchtochkies; owner Pat Turner has heard it all. "I don’t care who walks in the door. We greet them. We find out who they are, and there are some people when you sit and talk to, you really feel that, whether they have seen it for sure, they really believe what they’ve seen," Turner said.

Dennis Lingo made the trek to Area 51 from Fresno, Calif. "You know, you watch all the TV programs about aliens, about area 51 and all that stuff," Lingo said.

Touring the Area 51 perimeter, tourists see scarce signs, some cattle, and some alfafa fields.