Ran across this site a couple of years ago. Great site. Ridgecrest was a great place for a kid to grow up (although when you're a kid you don't realize it). I remember old friends like it was yesterday. These were very special people who can never be replaced, and I've never had friends like them since I left. I think about Ridgecrest all the time. I take my daughter fishing along the Walker river every year and she loves passing by Ridgecrest. She's heard all the stories, of course. Thank you for developing this site.

I arrived at China Lake in the middle of the morning. When I woke up the next day I thought what an awful place to be stationed. I was with VX-5. In the next few years I fell in love with China Lake, the desert and some great people. These were some of the best years of my six in the NAVY.

This is a great site! I love looking at how Ridgecrest came to be. It is also nice to show friends that it did not sprout up overnight in the middle of the desert!Ridgecrest does have history.

I loved growing up in Ridgecrest-riding my bicycle clear across town(what like a 3 mile radius: Man, it felt so far!)The waterfights on the cul-de-sac off Rawhide Lane, before Eastridge Estates was developed and took over our land of exploration. Walking to Thrifty's for ice cream and putzing round in Sprouse Ritz. man, we thought we were cool walking all over town! Before Walmart and Mervyns-shopping at K-mart and Balsam Street. Pinafore Shoppe! Loved it! Otherwise trekking to the "Mall" in Bakersfield and Victorville-seemed like such a big deal! Spending hours at John's Pizza and Grazianos. The spot to find out about parties! The party spots- The Rocks, Robin's Rosst, Cherry Hill, The Gravel Pits, The Wash...Movies at the Drive Inn-I think the last one I saw was "Desperately Seeking Susan" w/Madonna in 1985. Watching Disney flicks at the Base Theater. Going to school assemblies there too! Went to Richmond School. Some of my favorite teachers were there and have made me want to be a teacher too! Mrs.Gardner(Kindergarten)Mrs.Rutledge(third grade). Went to Pierce for 5th and 6th and had Mr.Bernard, who was a little odd, but was a great teacher! Murray Jr.High and Burroughs-great memories! Who can forget the football games!Class of 1993-we were a little crazy at games! I will always be thankful for the memories that growing up in Ridgecrest have given me. I still love to make people laugh and share the wacky stories of living in a small town.

I love going back from time to time to visit family, still there, and to take a picture or two of the amazing sunsets, allowing myself time to relax and enjoy the desert. Don't always get that in the busyness of daily life in San Diego.Thanks for sharing your memories and creating this web site. I will come back to it-for sure. THANKS