To all of the VMG members that made it to our first fly-in to Tehachapi, a hearty "OohRah" to all of you.  There were AIRMETS for moderate turbulence below 18,000', winds at Tehachapi were 16G25Kts, and with the wind chill the temperatures felt in the 30s!  All that went will receive the VMG Frostee Freeze decal once it is available.  Despite the weather, 18 Mooneys made it to the BBQ and I think we all managed to have a great day with the usual camaraderie which prevailed as always.  Despite the forecasts, most pilots reported smooth flying to Tehachapi with the usual mountain bumps, but nothing extraordinary!  The winds were mostly down the runway, periodically 20-degrees off.  As Larry Palmer likes to say, "It was a sporting day for landings"

It was pretty windy in Tehachapi!

I guess the wind is not that uncommon (long final to runway 29)

Larry and Anita Palmer just simply outdid themselves on hosting this fly-in.  This was the first VMG-BBQ that was prepared and cooked onsite at a non-member airport.  Larry & Anita purchased all of the food (slightly more than 300lbs, flew it from Ramona to Tehachapi, setup, cooked and served the food without a hitch.  Thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped out.  We even had a fire for people to warm up our outsides and hot cocoa with marshmallows to warm our insides.

      
     Vintage Mooney Group Field Headquarters                  Did we mention that it was cold & windy?

Also, for those of you who know and love Ed Shreffler, he is usually one of the last Mooneys to arrive, simply because he is a late riser.  Well, I challenged Ed to arrive at the fly-in early enough to enjoy everyone's company. Well, Ed was the 3rd Mooney to arrive after the Palmers and the Cormans.  Kudos to Ed for such an extraordinary effort.

Bob Keller: Phil, it's darn cold and windy.  How about we move the picnic over here by the hedges in the sun and shielded from the wind?

Phil: OK

Bob: Much nicer!!

Then we finally had lunch!  Larry did a fantastic job of BBQ'ing in windy conditions and still served hot hamburgers to the picnic tables on a steady basis.  Anita found a way to get all the fixin's ready including potato salad, chips, cole slaw (which Anita made on the spot!!), and homemade desert.  THANKS A MILLION TO LARRY & ANITA!!!

   
Everyone staying warm and having a wonderful time over lunch.

   
     Phil announcing the next fly-in to Payson          And Jolie announcing Toys for Tots fly-in at Oceano

 
              In a perfect field of Mooneys...                        Lori Elinsky's M20B just shined and shined!!!

Thanks to everyone who braved the AIRMETS, Tehachapi winds, and COLD day.  See you in Payson!!!

Photos courtesy of members Phil Corman, Jolie Lucas, Ed Shreffler, and Joe Zammit