Palomar Mountain News

Join in on a 4 1/2 mile hike Sunday morning. Click for the details and get your hiking shoes on!

Just a reminder, Earth Day at the State Park is today from 10a-2p $10.00 per car for park entrance.

Mountain Lion educational booths, a booth hosted by Kids Club, Hot dogs, chips and lemonade for $5.00, and a opportunity for you to volunteer to help clean up the park.

Be sure to read all the info here and see you there!

We had a cold corner! Pott Belly Shop to the rescue!  They installed one of their ‘Bed and Breakfast’ propane fireplaces.  Perfect timing for a snowy day!  We plan to trim it out in some mountain wood real soon.  Meanwhile you might have a place to tuck away one of these little gems.  You’d love the efficient heat and delightful ambiance.

Pott Belly Shop has been sweeping chimneys on the mountain many years.  We always appreciate their friendly, professional service. Read More…

A Motorcycle Journey into the Landscape of Humanity

One of our mountain neighbors is also a best–selling adventure travel author!  

“Level 8” Glen Heggstad will be sharing his all new multimedia show featuring a spirited narration of extraordinary photographs along with video clips from his National Geographic Channel special and other TV documentaries. From Siberia to Africa via the Middle East you will ride along through fascinating cultures weaving your way through the tapestry of humankind.

Join us Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 6:00PM to meet Glen in person while experiencing the

passion, struggles, and triumphs of a solo moto–odyssey through fifty–seven developing countries around the planet. Ninety–minute show with unlimited Q&A.

Show starts promptly at 6:30

499 North Hale Ave, Escondido, Ca 92029

Three free counter height bar stools on the mountain. Whoever replies first, gets them!  Quick, call me!

Thank you,

Bonnie Phelps

 Just a few weeks ago this San Diego Snow Man was seen by many on Channel 7 NBC’s social media, enjoying the million dollar view!  Click on the subject above to watch a fun video of the last snow from what could be your new driveway!  Here are some of the details, but you really need to come see this one!

Aren’t the views amazing above the clouds at this rim-of-the-world, custom crafted home on Palomar Mountain?!

The owners are so sorry to let it go.  He is a pilot, saw the property from the air, learned it was for sale and drove over from Yuma to make it their own.  They’d planned for this to be their forever home.  A job offer he couldn’t refuse came in from out of state, so it is YOUR turn to own this view!

The owners worked together on several projects to add their signature.  One is radiant heat on the stairs, master bedroom and sitting area.  Such a comfortable heat using an on-demand hot water system, laid under beautiful bamboo flooring.  They have a library area waiting for you that is optional and added a security system.

This is the ‘icing on the cake’ after the extensive remodel the prior owners orchestrated a few years ago.  Cement Hardie Plank siding, was installed on the home and finished garage, all new windows and new 40 year roof.  The interior has beautiful custom wood touches throughout with the mountain-made, quarter sawn, white oak cabinets and wainscot, artistic tile work and everything ‘top-of-the-line. You’ll just have to see!

Some painting is in the works and then we’ll have a pro come in with a camera for new photos.  I do happen to have a key!  Here are lots more photos.  When would you like your tour?

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Let’s Connect

Fire and Emergency Vehicle Access: Call Doc!

I am a retired Operating Engineer with 45 years experience in road building, dams, highways, underground, septic, and pond creation.  I have run everything from cranes to backhoes and everything in between. I have worked in cities and in forests. Since living on Palomar Mountain for 14 years I have made and maintained roads and driveways built to accommodate water flow so they stay put. 

I’ve worked for the State Park, the Volunteer Fire Department, Mother’s Kitchen, and the Water Company.  Work is what I do. I cut down trees, rescue stuck vehicles, split fire wood, fix tires, and generally try to keep out of my wife’s hair.

It’s been a long winter and my wife is eyeing the warmer weather and clearing skies, and when she saw this notice from the PMPO and Fire Department, she laid it strategically next to my morning coffee and I got the hint:
“No job too big or small.”

So if you want that ambulance or fire truck to make it down your deer trail of a road, CALL DOC.  He’ll fix you up.  At a reasonable price. Because you’re doing his wife a favor.

Doc Sowards
760-742-8727
Leave a message.

What is one of the main reasons people desire their own piece of paradise on Palomar?  The beauty of the Four Seasons, of course!  This doesn’t look like much of a marketing photo, but let me tell you why it is so special!

I love snow and there is something extra special about snow and blue sky.  When those  storm clouds clear and we have bright blue sky, you’ll find me cruising with my camera to capture snow days ’round Palomar.

After our last storm, I was all over the top of the mountain.  I have brand new snow tires and a good 4 wheel drive. There were places where I decided to park and walk to some listings.  I wanted to go to Conifer Road but I thought the road could still be a little challenging.  What a fun surprise!  Such a beautiful road to drive!

The Observation Point subdivision has their own snow plow!  You share in a Road Maintenance Agreement that keeps about two miles of paved road in great shape.  Plus the road is plowed in the winter.  It sure looked great when I pulled right up to this property.

Another fun surprise was waiting for me when I went inside.  It was pleasantly comfortable!  Cold outside but that Blue Jean insulation and the really keeps the home at a pleasant temperature!  On the hottest day in August, I was heading that way.  Delayed, I finally arrived about 3:00.  When I pulled in the driveway and looked at those windows facing the west, I thought, “it is going to be an oven inside!  It was so refreshing!  I was so impressed!

You will be, too!  Come on out for your tour of ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’.  Click for a few more photos. But, this is one you really need to experience in person.  Then, let’s go hike through the nine acres!

I’ll be wearing my jeans,

Bonnie Phelps

You’ve probably noticed quite a few dead trees, especially on the roads up to Palomar.  Appointments are available for an evaluation for your oaks.  We booked ours for tomorrow.  Here is the info to hopefully save your trees:

FROM: Ann Russ, Cuca Ranch

Oak Tree Hope

If you’ve done lots of web searches and attended UCR/USFS sessions on beetles and oaks, you have probably heard people responsible for whole city, county, and/or national parks saying the cost of annual treating of oaks and other specimen trees for the invasive beetles is prohibitive.

And both LA Times and Union Tribune write, without context, that “there’s nothing to be done”.

What those pros were thinking about was every tree in their whole park or forest, which would be prohibitive.

There are things that can be done to protect some tree on each property from the invasive pests for which our trees have no defenses. Research has been done, and some arborists are doing service based on various research studies.

Many of us would prefer a surface application that could be done rather than a systemic application (that the tree takes into all of its tissues, thus being poisonous to bees and other pollinators).

Thankfully, that is possible.

Actual rough numbers include that huge specimen trees can be protected for a couple hundred each, large ones for $100, what are definitely specimen trees for $50, and small ones for as little as $35, per year.

To keep some oaks alive in all areas, landowners could probably actually afford to treat one or more trees annually, especially if not yet infected! Thank goodness!

There are different protocols for trees never attacked and trees that show evidence of having been attacked.

While finding that the newest UCR research is found under a laboratory rather than under the general topic, I also discovered the Arborist/Pest Management company that the Del Dios Hwy neighborhood picked in past for their specimen oak protection, and Del Dios still using this company. Bates Nut farm also uses them.

Aguilar Plant Care, Ricardo Aguilar, President, has 2 ISA certified arborists (and their senior tree tech working on his arborist certification) and 6 QAL certified applicators.

Mr. Aguilar could do multiple 30-minute free evaluations/estimates for landowners up here in the mornings time (8-12) on one of these days: 27 (Tues), 28 (Wed), or 29 (Thurs).

Please let me know what morning(s) would work for you, plus your address, plus actual landmark directions to your place so time is used effectively. (Optionally, would be useful if you had a rough idea how many trees you want evaluated/estimated.)

By timing this together we can each get best price, and Aguilar Plant Care can protect the most trees.

After he makes up a route, he or I will let you know when on that chosen day to expect him.

For each person who takes advantage of the opportunity, there will be at least one more oak (or sycamore or other tree) of some size that survives in our historical woodlands.

Please let your friends in other areas know that this is, indeed, possible. All woodlands do not all have wind up like the road to Santa Ysabel and so much of Julian.

Please note: In drought years, we may have to water, along the drip line, the trees we spray. Water makes trees stronger to defend themselves.

Book your time for 30 minute estimate by Aguilar Plant Care:

March 27, 28, 29

Please email your address/directions and contact info to info@apcphc.com  or contact Ricardo Aguilar 760-705-5571 or visit their website: aguilarplantcare.com

Best to you,

Ann Russ