Your right. Middle of BFE
Ride is cool for awhile, Better than farmland in Nebraska, seems to be more interesting than a drive thru Detroit on the interstate.
From Barstow, 15 miles, get to the exit.... Closed truck stop. Head North, a couple of trailers parked in the middle of nowwhere. No Starbucks, nothing.
They are probing space, and perhaps probing aliens

Don't know any details, you can look it up on the web.
Cool palce, If you know you are going to be in the area, you can arrange for a public visit. Definately worth it. Only Aricebo radio telescope is bigger.