What does ECETI stand for? It stands for Enlightened Contact with Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Where is the ECETI Ranch? It's at the base of Mount Adams near Trout Lake, Wash. Why is the ECETI Ranch known internationally? It's one of the most frequented places in the world for UFO sightings, with about 3,000 sightings every year.

But what is the ECETI Ranch? Well that's a difficult question, maybe one best assessed after a visit, or journey, to the Ranch.

Even those who live at the ECETI Ranch can't define what the Ranch is in any simple terms.

"It's hard to nail down what ECETI is and when it started and all that," says Pamela, a resident at the Ranch.

Pamela and others at the Ranch are hesitant to talk with the Weekly Volcano. They say every time the media profiles the Ranch and the spiritual events that occur there, the area is flooded with UFO skeptics and beer-swilling partyers. After some convincing that the readers of the Volcano are anything but beer-swilling partyers (gulp!), Pamela graciously fills us in as best as she can.

"People who are on path to spiritual awakening find ECETI," she says.

Neither she nor James Gilliland, the man who built the Ranch on 70 acres, promise definite contact with little green men. But for those who have a positive attitude and stay open to the truth, Pamela says ECETI can be a life changing experience.

"Some have had experiences, some have not," says Pamela. "It's more about the awakening and consciousness than anything else."

Experiences? Awakening and consciousness? Some pretty heavy words ... possibly awakening the skeptic in all of us. Where's the proof?

The proof, or a version of it, is on the ECETI website. There, visitors can find a video titled "Ultradimensional Object Flying Around Mt. Adams with Rotational Field." There are photographs of UFO's, orbs and other out-of-this-world objects. There are schedules for Yi Gong classes and James Gilliland's radio show titled, "Contact has Begun."  Most convincingly, the website features video after video of testimonials of the objects people have seen in the sky and the changes people undergo while at the Ranch.

Pamela says as awe-inspiring as it is to see ships in the sky, there's more to the ECETI experience.

"Each individual creates their own experience here," says Pamela. "If they're just coming here to see ships in the sky, that might be all they get."

There's plenty to "get" around the ECETI Ranch, interplanetary or otherwise. Mount Adams and the Trout Lake area offer miles and miles of secluded wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts can find everything from long backpacking excursions to serene picnics. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest combines the scenery of the west and east side of the Cascades.

The ECETI Ranch is open from May to October. Camping is allowed on ranch property and there are many hotels in the area. Time at the Ranch is pretty open. Other than sky watching and the occasional class, there aren't many group activities. This, Pamela says, allows time for personal meditation.

"People want time to complete their own unique journey."

Despite Pamela's hesitation towards beer-drinking naysayer's, she says the Ranch welcomes anyone who shows up. She says it's funny that the people who find the Ranch most often are on a unique spiritual journey.

They find the Ranch, or maybe, the Ranch finds them.

"People with an honest curiosity are led to come here," says Pamela. "People who are looking to explore their awakening and consciousness a little bit more."

DETAILS: Self Mastery Earth Institute - ECETI, 172 Little Mt. Road, Trout Lake, Wash., 509.395.2092, eceti.org

BADGES EARNED: Spiritual Awakening, Consciousness Exploration, Face Time With Aliens, Beer Swilling (doh!)