You might be wondering about the title to this posting.  Let me tell you a bit about it.  Last year, celebrating Obama’s election win – for which I am still incredibly grateful – David and I travelled with my sister Fran and her husband Ed up to Yosemite.  It was a victory hiking moment in time for sure.  We spent a few wonderful days in the park and then we headed out the east gate and pretty quickly came upon a Mobil gas station.  We stopped for what Fran and Ed promised would be a remarkable meal.  In a gas station.  All I can say is if you’re ever in this neighbourhood, don’t miss going to the Whoa Nellie Deli; just head out of the park on the 120 and turn left on the 395 to Lee Vining, California.   Chef Matt “Tioga” Toomey, who grew up in Point Loma, is the driving force for what is not just a sit-down restaurant, but an outstanding one. He is so outgoing and eager to talk to the customers that he seems more a host than a chef, but the food bears the stamp of creative, health-conscious California cuisine. A “Trans-Fat Free Zone” is prominently displayed.  Ed had brought a bottle of wine along and when he asked if there was a corkage fee the response was: “Excuse sir, but this is a gas station!”  Remarkable.

So … why am I telling you about this?  Because I’ve read two things recently that made me sit up and say “Whoa Nellie” and that’s what I really want to think about today. Read more…