03/13/05
Where do you live now? Ridgecrest
How many years were you in the desert? 40
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sure, I'd be happy to.
Are you willing to help with stories? Living in Ridgecrest was one big story..
Comments:
Growing up in Ridgecrest was a great time for me.
There was so little crime, so few murders, you were safe almost anywhere, anytime.
I remember when I was very young, going to the A&W, in the summer, at dusk, in a convertable. It was so beautiful and the air was so warm & pleasant.
I remember going to Eve's Hobby and Gift to buy models. She was a gruff lady, but I think she just put on an act.
I remember Western Days, everyone in town dressed up like a cowboy
I remember painting our names on the Watertower
I remember walking barefoot to Penny pool, everyday during the summer. There were very few sidewalks, I must have had leather feet..
I remember the Base was like a Utopia. They had trees, grass, sidewalks. In spring it was so beautiful to me.
I rememeber the All Faith Chapel bells everyday at noon.
I remember when the Fair was held on C/L Blvd.
The parade was so great then.. Who was that cowsboy who rode in every parade. The one who did all the rope tricks.?
I remember catching snakes and lizards by the gross. They were everywhere.
I remember fishing at Little Lake, Lake Isabella and Kern River. Kernville was so beautiful.
I remember playing basketball with Mr. Brewer, he was really a great teacher and wonderful person. When we would get caught fighting in school, he would make us box with gloves made out of giant pillows..
I remember Mr. Robertson science class, we built a giant desert living environment for animals, I had a King Snake
I remember having nothing but friends, everyone seemed to like just about everyone.
I remember riding bicycles everywhere. BMX was so much fun, we built tracks everywhere. I remember the first BMX race Tom Frisbee promoted, The track was behind James Monroe school. It was the first time we "townies" went against the base kids.. We kicked their tails of course.. Every morning before school we would have races at the Ridgecrest park. We would throw sand on the cement figure 8 walkways and 25 -30 kids would race around sliding into each other and having a great time.
I remember bands playing at the Ridgecrest park
I remember walking to school everyday, the crossing guard at Means Nursery would whittle boats for us.
I remember ordering a "suicide coke" at Fosters, it was a combination of everything they had. Taquito were the bomb!
I remember the "Suzy Q" snak shack on the corner of C/L and R/C blvds.
I remember my Mom worked at almost every beauty shop in town one time or another. Now she owns one in town..
I remember the Triangle Sports Shop, very cramped and dark, but very cool.
I remember Mike Mower playing Santa at the Ridge walkin, then taking tickets at the Crest drive in that night. (Great, Great Person!) Saturday Matinee, 50 cents.
I remember playing pool at Trader Mays
Led Zepplin, Van Halen, The Cars, Eddie Money ( He actually played here)
I remember having a coke at Wagon Wheel after riding there. Big adventure for a 12 year old
I remember racing Motocross at Sage Park & Trona on alternating weekends. It seemed like everyone was there. Everybody always helped each other. At that time Motocross racers were "Jocks" at Burroughs. We had a High School Motocross team, we kicked butt at Mammoth every year, (and everwhere else).
Mr. Warren Murchinson was our coach, a great man, may he rest in peace... We made it a tradition to ride our bikes through campus several times a year. We would ride down "D" hall at least once a year as well. I have to admit, that was too much fun.
I remember the Boss Shop, Champs Market, Victory Market, Town & Country Clothing Store, Rene's right next door, The Ridgecrest Pharmacy, The Furnish Brothers Hair Cuts, The Variety Store, FunCo, The Skating Rink, Trona Pool, 5 television channels, the Neighborhood market and all the rest of the neat places that we used to go.
I remember enormous desert parties. They were the pinnacle of High School fun life. Everyone was there, very few fights, very few accidents, if any. Just lots of drunk kids trying to drive there 4x4's up saddleback mountain, or just having a great time. Then in winter, giant house parties every weekend! I will never forget how much fun those days were. (At least the ones I remember).
I remember when McDonalds opened, the line went around the building, I couldn't believe it!
I remember dances at the Elks, the Fairgrounds, and Burroughs.
I remember going to race at Mammoth every year, it seemed like half the town was up there for the races. What a great time!
I remember some of the most beautiful women to walk the face of this planet.. Kathy Earle, Denise Zurn, Laurie McAlpine, Lori Zinkie, Laura Mick, Sonja Holterman, just to name a few but there were so many more... All godesses to my friends and I while growing up..
I remember going to jail (the only time in my life) for squirting the police cheifs wife with a fire extinguisher. (Earl Fike)
Ridgecrest was a great place to grow up, and I am so glad my children had the same opportunity. Ridgecrest provided an excellent and safe place for them to become the wonderful people that they are. Thank you Ridgecrest, Thank you to the many people who touched each others lives everyday and made Ridgecrest the terrific town it has always been.
Special Thanks to:
Mr. Jim Charlon (The greatest man ever! Please rest in peace dear friend)
Mr. Douglas Brewer
Mr. John Parlett
Mr. Roger Loewen
Mr. Jeff Dawson
Mr. Robert Dale
Mr. Warren Murchinson
Ms. Janice Lingren
Ms. Janet Rolfs
Mr. Larry Bird
Mr. Jerry Eyre
Mr. Brad Eyre
Mr. Kem Park
Mr. Buddy Rich
Mr. Ken Willis Sr.
Mr. Val Franich
Mr. Bill Earle
Mr. Gale Tyler
Mr. Jon Geottig
Mr. Tom Frisbee
Mr. Jack Butler
Mr. Bob Foster
Mr. Mike Mower
Mr. Greg Winkle
Mr. Leroy Biddlingmier
Mr. Mike Biddlingmier
Mr. Cliff Urseth
Mr. Dave Miller
Mr. Willie Grossardt
Mr. Terry Muhle
Mr. & Mrs. Mike LeCornu
Mr. Wick
Mr. & Mrs Ireland
Mr. Pat Burke Sr.
Mr. Don Rosenberg
Mrs Jeri Fugate
Mr. Ernie Bell
Mr. Steve Zissos
Mrs. Tina Wilkie (Please rest in peace)
And a cast of a hundred+ more people who I have had the pleasure of knowing during my years in this fine city... Thank you all, and I hope all the best for everyone of you.
Take Care,
James Newman
Burroughs Class of 1978
03/10/05
Where do you live now? Dallas Texas
How many years were you in the desert? One Year
Are you willing to help with pictures? Yes, If I still have some
Are you willing to help with stories? Yes
Comments:
I came to Ridgecrest in 1961 to work on the Shrike Missile Program at China Lake. I was one of four employees of Texas Instruments sent to assist Navy personnel in the development program. I was a microwave engineer assigned to work on the guidance system. The other members were Jim Phillips, Vic Armstrong, and Bob Larrabee. For several months we lived in a motel near the base. Later we were able to lease a house in Ridgecrest. A former naval engineer now still living in Ridgecrest named Robert G. Corzine told me about this website. I still have fond memories of the area. I was a rock hound and spent my weekends visiting mine tailings and mineral sites in an old 1948 army jeep. We made visits to all the interesting locations like Burro Smith's Tunnel. It seems like just yesterday that we were there. It's amazing how much the city of Ridgecrest has changed. I have published a website about my 50 years of microwave engineering experience: www.robertcoats.net.
| Justin & Yvonne (Bartle) Byrne | Email |
03/04/05
Where do you live now? Illinois
How many years were you in the desert? 25 YEARS
Are you willing to help with pictures? no scanner
Are you willing to help with stories? sure
Comments:
Been gone now for 3 years and its funny I never thoought I'd miss it so much. Something a simple as Del Taco when you go somewhere were theres not one for miles around. Its great having somewhere like this site to remember our "HOMETOWN"
| David (Jim) Chadwick | Email |
03/02/05
Where do you live now? Great Falls, Virginia
How many years were you in the desert? 1945 through 1951
Are you willing to help with pictures? Yes
Are you willing to help with stories? Yes
Comments:
I have been watching the site for almost a year and have seen very little from the people who were my contemporaries (late 1940s) at NOTS. Would like to hear from any of you that read this. Noticed one comment regarding "B" Mountain. I watched it being painted for the first time - think it was in the Spring of 1946 - will have to check the old pictures.
03/01/05
Where do you live now? Sturbridge MA
How many years were you in the desert? 3
Are you willing to help with pictures? yes!!
Are you willing to help with stories? yes!!
Comments:
Please see e-mail
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