South through the mountains and down into the San Luis Valley, which is a geographical basin ringed on all sides by mountain ranges and which holds the distinction of recording some of the highest concentrations of UFO sightings in the continental United States. The San Luis Valley is a place where the air is thin and the silence is thick and the mountains define your entire horizon in every direction, creating a kind of enclosed world that seems to operate on its own atmospheric logic. People who pay attention to the sky here say that what they see cannot be easily explained. The UFO Watchtower, near Alamosa, provides a platform from which to investigate these claims.
The Watchtower was established by Judy Messoline, a rancher who in 2000 began hearing enough reports of unusual aerial phenomena from neighbours and locals that she decided to build an observation platform and see what all the fuss was about. She has not, she readily acknowledges, personally seen anything definitive. The garden surrounding the tower — a "healing garden" that she offers to visitors — is not planted with flowers or herbs but with thousands of personal objects: crystals, trinkets, written notes, photographs, small figures, beads, tokens of every description left by visitors who came for reasons ranging from the scientific to the deeply personal. Psychics who have visited have identified three energy vortexes on the property. We cannot confirm or deny the vortexes. We can confirm that the garden is one of the most unexpectedly moving things we encountered on the entire trip: a catalogue of what people choose to leave in places they believe are significant, which is to say, a catalogue of what people believe is significant.
We had hoped to camp at the Watchtower. It was closed for the season. We found a spot at Base Camp campground in Alamosa instead, which is a perfectly reasonable town withtrials. We slept without incident. perfectly reasonable food and, as far as we can establish, an entirely conventional relationship with the space-time continuum. No extraterrestrials. We slept without incident.
"The garden is a catalogue of what people choose to leave in places they believe are significant — which is to say, a catalogue of what people believe is significant."
Photography Notes Episode 6
Best time: Sunset — the valley glows orange and the platform silhouettes beautifully.
Wide shots: Capture the emptiness of the valley; it’s part of the story.
Details: The trinket garden is full of quirky objects that make great close‑ups.
Sky: Bring a wide lens — the sky is the main character here.
Night: If you stay late, the Night stars are unreal.
Destination Facts
Located near Hooper, Colorado in the San Luis Valley.
Founded by Judy Messoline in 2000.
Over 20 documented UFO sightings from visitors.
Home to two “energy vortexes” according to local lore.
Popular with UFO enthusiasts, spiritual travelers, and curious wanderers.
A native of Scotland and an award-winning Creative Director who has honed his skills at some of the most prestigious advertising and design agencies in both the UK and the US. His dynamic approach to creativity has earned him accolades and awards, but it’s his personal pursuits where his true artistry shines. An avid adventurer, Robbie finds peace and solace hiking and exploring the great outdoors. These days it’s through photography that he channels his passion for creativity and artistic vision, capturing the essence of nature’s beauty. His vibrant images reveal the intricate play of natural light, amplifying the allure of his subjects and offering viewers a fresh perspective on the world around them. Robbie resides in Boston, Massachusetts, and embarks on extensive travels throughout the United States and beyond.