We moved to China Lake in 1946, I attended Burroughs Elementary and then High School, graduating in 1952.  I worked for Burt Wheeler at the Western Auto Store in Ridgecrest.  After graduating, I worked for awhile at the Base Safety Dept and then went into the Navy.  My Dad worked at the Lab, and we lived on Tyler St. in the duplexes.  Yes, I have some great memories of the area, made many lasting friendships, and wouldn't trade the experience for the world.  I really appreciate your web-site!  Keep up the good work!!!!

What a find!  My uncle was the golf pro at the Navy golf course at China Lake from the mid-60s to mid-70s, and I spent the better part of many summers in the period staying with my aunt and uncle as well as many weekends throughout the year.  (I grew up in Pasadena).  While they lived on-base (Shangi-La Circle), there were many many trips to Ridgecrest.  I have fond memories of the Sprouse-Rietz (sp?) and getting little toys and other treats while shopping there.  Watching baseball and football games at Burroughs.  I remember seeing Audie Murphy there at one game; my uncle wanted me to go get his autograph but I was too shy - and at the time, really didn't know who Audie Murphy was, I'm ashamed to say. 

I used to "work" at the golf course, collecting balls from the driving range (and providing target practice to golfers at the time), working in the pro shop and snack bar.  Merle Haggard and his band came in to golf one day, dressed in their Nudie-style western garb, complete with lots of rhinestones.

I especially remember the A&W with their great burgers and wonderful root beer floats - those frigid mugs with condensation and frost on the outside were so refreshing on those hot days.

Riding a bike that I kept at my aunt and uncle's all over the base, and taking the fenders and chain guard off it and making it into a mountain (OK, desert, really) bike long before they were popular, and riding it all over the desert.  Got real good at fixing flats!  I remember kids who just had to have red bicycles having them fade out in less than one summer.

I was thrilled to see that Bud Eyre Chevrolet is still around - my uncle usually bought his cars from Bud.

China Lake and Ridgecrest really were like a second home for me; I'll always have fond memories and truly think of them as a second home.  The better parts of my childhood were spent there in the high desert, and though I'm far, far away now, I retain some hopes that maybe I'll be able to come home to roost someday!

**Thank you** for this wonderful site.  I've spent a couple mixed hours viewing it - some wonderful memories, but some melancholy too of missing a wonderful time gone by.

My wife Sue and I first visited Ridgecrest with our then 22 month old son Gareth in May 1986. At the time we were the guests of our godd friends Dave & Di Jones from Inyokern. We returned again for another holiday in 1988 and have some very special memories of Ridgecrest and the surrounding areas - especialy those who wanted to hear that Brit accent one more time!

Chris Bromley

14th November 2004

What a great site!!