I WAS BORN  IN 1969 ON THE NAVY BASE  I REMEMBER WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL  AND CATCHING LIZARDS OR ANYTHING TO BRING HOME AND STARTLE MY MOM IT WAS ALOT OF FUN.  AND JUST DRIVING AROUND UP IN THE HILLS TO GO EXLPORING AND CLIMBING 4-WHEELING  GOING OUT TO THE SHOOTING RANGE WITH MY DAD AND OUR DOG, CODIE.  GOING UP TO THE PANAMOUNT MOUNTAINS AND WATCHING THE SUNSET  AND HOW THEY CHANGED COLORS WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SITE. TAKING TRIPS UP TO OLD BALLERAT  AND GOING OUT TO WATCH THE ROLLING ROCKS  DRIVING BY THE ROCKS ON THE HIGHWAY THAT LOOKED LIKED FISH. SWIMMING IN THE TRONA POOL AND GAZING UP AT ALL THE STARS. WISH I WAS THERE. THERE WAS ALOT TO DO THEN. BUT I CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH THERE IS NOW COMPARED TO THEN.   IT WAS GOOD PLACE TO BE .

I happened across this site when looking for something totally unrelated. What a blast! While I live in the South Pacific and love the tradewinds, oceans and islands, looking at this site made me nostalgic - not necessarily for Ridgecrest the way it is now, but for the Ridgecrest of my youth - the fond memories spent at BHS until I graduated in 1971.

In answer to Stan Caine's question about the BHS "shakes" - are you referring to those glorious orange frozen concoctions? Nobody else remembers those!

I remember it all - sultry nights at the drive in, being interviewed on the radio with my best friend Maggie when Taco Bell came into town, the Desert Empire fair where I got my first kiss from my first boyfriend, Gary, riding in the Desert Empire parade, cheering at football games (wow - I actually saw old pictures of myself on this site - scary!), and generally a great high school experience in a small town.

I loved it all.  I visit the old "homestead" (about twice a year now). It's just not the same, but, oh, those summer nights!

Susan Rungo-de Geus, BHS class of '71

Moved into town 1 traffice light and moved out there were 2 lights.  Fast growing town back then.  Had a great time there and still have friends who live there.  Hope to get back one day soon and I know it will still be the same in your heart.  The only town you could run a tab at the bar and pay at the end of the month.  Also only one you could write a check at any resturant or any other business.  Everybody knew everybody.  To bad to hear about some of the places gone now.  Good luck to all that are still there and you do have a special place to live, like no other.

just want to kow my city population

I didn't much like the desert when I first arrived in 1978, but it sure does grow on you! I definately miss the beautiful weather and just about everything associated with the Ridgecrest area now.