Are you willing to help with pictures? I have a few
Are you willing to help with stories? sure
Comments: I was born in Ridgecrest Community Hospital. I lived in China Lake for my entire childhood and couldn't wait to leave. I had lots of friends. The thing I remember most about living there was the fact that we could go out on our bicycles and spend all day without being in any danger. My friends and I would make forts in the ground, go to Butterfly Kingdom and hang out at the malt shop. In the summer, we would go to the Club Pool, swim and eat large plates of french fries that cost a little more than a quarter to purchase. As I couldn't wait to leave this God forsaken place, I miss that place in time so much. It was the best place to grow up and since the NAVY plowed our house under, a place that I have to show my kids in pictures and video from my dad's 8mm movies which I had made into a DVD. I wouldn't change my childhood for anything. China Lake was the very best place anybody could have grown up. I miss lizard hunting and climbing on Chucawalla Hill and B Mountain. I miss the jets flying buy constantly. Mostly I miss just sitting on my front lawn. Thank you so much for this site. It is an oasis in the midst of a stressful life. Albert (Bard) Monson
Are you willing to help with pictures? Still looking
Are you willing to help with stories? Sure
Comments: Was stationed at NAS as a Radioman. Came in Nov 62 during a chilly snowy night. Enjoyed the desert- no dune buggy’s then-stripped old cars down to the frame leaving just the firewall and seats at the hobby shop- boonie stompers we called em. Remember the concrete swimming hole in the desert. Lotsa fun there. Met my wife at a football game in Lancaster. We were quite young and some of my friends and I used to head to Lancaster and Palmdale on the weekends for sock hops and concerts put on by local car clubs. Racing at Inyokern. Nine mile canyon had one way in and one way out then. Miss bird hunting in the foothills. Duck hunting on the Owens as well as the many hot springs along the river. My 1st daughter was born on base. Ended up living in Lancaster after I left the Navy. Moved North to WA State in 78. Still visit on occasion.
Comments: What a great web site. I came here in 79 for a year. And I'm still here. The place really grows on a person. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio............... Ridgecrest is where I call home. I've traveled in every state in the US. While there are alot of beautiful areas in this fine country of ours, none are the same as Ridgecrest. God bless America, and God bless Ridgecrest.
neal schuetze
12/10/08
Where do you live now? hardeman county,tennessee
How many years were you in the desert? 25 or so,off and on
Are you willing to help with pictures? I only have a couple
Are you willing to help with stories? some
Comments: I stumbled upon this web page by chance and am surprised to see all of those old pics of "Ridgeville" and the base.Also, I check the local news out there and noticed how some of the locals that I knew ,or knew of, are no longer living.One of our many previous addresses on base was 5-B Wasp Circle on "snob hill".Just this year, I found out that 3 of our former neighbors passed away.Sorry to hear it.When I see the old photos and think about the memories it kind of makes me think of the "real America"-something else that is no longer with us.
Janie Williams
12/06/08
Where do you live now? Fresno, California
How many years were you in the desert? 6 years
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sent some 12/6/2008
Are you willing to help with stories? Not really. I had a grand uncle, Steve Bowman, one of many who moved far into an empty desert to help construct the base.
Comments:
I moved to Ridgecrest in 2001 for a teaching job. I fell in love with the desert, its thunderstorms, its rocks, its hiking trails, and the easy access to Mammoth. Hoping to move back there someday, I still take occasional trips over the hill to visit friends.