From: Tony Texeira tonytex@cox.net

Hi Guys,

  Eleven people in five planes made Our Group's Fly-In to Big Bear (L35) on
Sun, Oct 23.

  Flying from SEE were Dick Grotten & Chris Maier in a 182; Robert Werve &
Masayuike Hashizume in a 337. Flying from MYF were Gary Ghio & Woodie Perrin
in a Turbo Arrow; Chris Claborne, Mike Schmied & Ramesh R in a 177RG; and
Mike Gretton & Tony Tex in a 172.

   The weather guessers forecasted winds in the mountains to be gusting
25-30 knots, but calling L35's AWOS it said winds calm.  To confirm it, I
called a real live person at L35 Unicom who said the weather was going to be
the same as yesterday... 5-10 knots with no gusts.

   They were right. There was no turbulence to speak off  en route and in
the mountains into the airport. You could not have asked for a better CAVU
day.  Incidentally, fuel at L35 is 3.17/gal. Not to shabby if you're used to
paying >$4.00/gal in the San Diego area. Some one made the "tongue-in-check"
comment that gas is cheaper there because it has to be trucked up the
mountain.

  At the restaurant we couldn't get seating outside in the patio even though
no one was sitting there. The restaurant people said the tables were
weighted with cement blocks and umbrellas and were too heavy to move. BULL!
I think they just didn't want to serve meals outside in the cool 60 degree
weather.

  Anyway, inside they put a couple tables together near a booth and it
worked out well and we did our usual "hangar flying" ... mostly about
aviation of course and with a short discussion on when and were for the Nov
Fly-In.

  Some air-borne pictures and pictures of everyone at breakfast were taken.
Chris has already put some pictures in our website and asked that if you
send pictures to him, please put them in a zip file.

  OK, mark your calendars and get yourself a plane for the next Fly-In on
Nov 19th. It will be to Rosamond (L00), which is a great airport to fly to
for breakfast. You can park right next to the Golden Cantina restaurant
which has a fantastic Mexican buffet with  a chef cooking eggs to order,
tables with a large variety of food, and a large dessert bar.

  However, you might want to go easy on the Mexican food. Not only will it
"over-gross" your plane, but it's a long ride home if you eat too many side
dishes, like bean burritos.

  I'll email a REMINDER to you a week or so before Our Group's on Nov 19th
to Big Bear.

Best of clear skies and tailwinds,

Tony Tex
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