Departed Columbia O22 for Lee Vining O24 Saturday about 1:30 pm. Beautiful climb up through Sonora Pass and down the eastern side of the Sierra's past Twin Lakes. The cool fall afternoons can make for some very stable and smooth air. The approach over Mono Lake was equally spectacular. Circled O24 and finally found the elusive winsock on the east side of the field. No other planes on the field and concluded I would be hoofing it into town (about 3/4 mile or so) About 1/2 way I caught a ride with local. My first and only stop was at Tioga Toomeys, better know as The Whoa Nellie Deli. If you are tired of 100 dollar burgers not being up to the hype try Toomey's (by the way, it is at the Mobil Station south end of town on the hill) I think this was the 3rd time I have eaten there and every time I am amazed at the food. http://www.thesierraweb.com/tiogagasmart/deli.html has a description. Lobster Taco's, sushi, 1/2 pound angus burgers, marinated rib eye steak sandwich, etc. If you are IFR (I follow roads) along 395 I would make it a priority. It's worth the walk !

Keep in mind O24 is located at 6,800 feet and density altitude is a factor but 4,000 feet of asphalt with lower terrain on 3 sides makes it a fairly safe higher altitude destination.

I'm trying to figure out another reason to go back asap...

I have always wanted to fly into Lee Vining and eat at Tioga Gas Mart. The place is quite a phenomenon: It's a Mobil station, but has a gourmet restaurant inside the mini mart. There is also a trapeze set out front. Every time I have tried to stop there, it has been closed for winter (I guess business isn't so good when Tioga Pass is closed.) I imagine myself having a great flight, eating lobster taqitos, and watching some trapeze artists do flips n shit-- kind of a Homer Simpson fantasy. Glad you brought it up, 6EA.

I have been there three times over the years and have yet to see the trapeze show. I have however enjoyed the food. One 4th of July we sat outside and Matt treated us to cevichi and lobster taquitos. I'll find out from my cousin when they are closing for the winter...

Just a quick aside, on Saturday a B-25 stopped by to have lunch here at BRD. We poked around the old girl while the crew was eating and thought that this was probably more than your average $100 hamburger

Brad

Talk about a pretty sound and an impressively smokey start up! When the thing thundered by on the take-off run - the earth shook. How cool is that!