Highway 395 and Tioga Pass

The Long Beach Press-Telegram published a fun article today about sightseeing along Highway 395. The article mentioned many of our favorite stops, including Lone Pine, Schat's Bakkery in Bishop, the ghost town of Bodie, and of course Bridgeport, which is our home away from home for a week each summer.

One of the stops mentioned in the article is the Tioga Gas Mart and Whoa Nellie Deli, which is located at the intersection of Highway 395 and the Tioga Pass, just outside the Eastern entrance to Yosemite. This is a truly unique stop: a gas station, gourmet restaurant -- yes, a gourmet restaurant in a gas station! -- mini mart, and entertainment center all in one. The deli regularly hosts concerts, and there is even a large trapeze set up alongside the highway.


I've been meaning to post the photos I took at the Gas Mart this summer, and the article is a good impetus for me to do so today.


The menu was amazing:


It includes lobster taquitos, buffalo meatloaf, and herb crusted grilled pork tenderloin. Unfortunately it wasn't in our budget this trip -- we had extra expenses this year, including flying our oldest daughter home from Reno! -- but maybe we'll try it next year.

More photos of the Whoa Nellie Deli can be found here.

North of the Deli is the quaint little town of Lee Vining, which has a great view of Mono Lake:


The slight haze in the air in some of these pictures was due to smoke from the Mariposa fire near Yosemite.

Incidentally, the two-hour drive from Yosemite to the 395, along Tioga Pass Road, is beautiful. Here's a shot of Tioga Lake:


Another view of the lake:


And one of the many domes which dots the area:


If you live in or are visiting California and haven't yet explored the 395, I highly recommend the experience.

Previously: California's "Mother Road," posted April 22, 2007.