Palomar Mountain News

From: Rosemary Johnston

Palomar Mountain’s Annual Apple Festival is always a great day! Click for photos of some of the old fashioned fun we have had over the years.

Hope to see YOU there!

There is a reason they named the South Grade to Palomar “Highway to the Stars”. The lookouts on the last couple night have had lots of cars up to photograph Comet Tsuchinshan – ATLAS. You have a few more opportunities to see it for yourself.

Photographers and long-time friends of the Mountain, Ernie and Katie Cowan came up on Saturday night, October 12 for this shot. Ernie said it was “… Spectacular. If you miss it, it will be back in 80,000 years. See you there!”

Oh, and this just arrived from another photographer extraordinaire, Mike Pique, taken about 7:10 PM Sunday evening (sunset was 6:20) from his cabin property off East Grade.

“I had a good view last night (Sunday, 13 October) from the yard below the cabin on the southwest slope of Palomar Mountain.  Had to look across all the lights on the coast, of course, but fun to see it.  I had missed it Saturday because it was not as far south as I’d expected and it was behind the cedar tree shown here (I didn’t know to go down to the yard).  Time of photo was 1919h PDT; sunset was 1821h so not quite an hour earlier.  Camera was my Sony Alpha, APS-size, kit telephoto zoom set at “82mm 35mm equivalent” (its widest setting).  You could fiddle with the contrast and maybe bring out more tail, but I just send it as-is.”

We’ll be watching for it the next couple nights! Come on up!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, enjoying the shows from the Highway to the Stars

Do you have gently used jeans, jackets, hoodies, or other clothing for men and women or blankets to donate? Gently worn jeans, boots, tennis shoes in all sizes, are the most needed. Also new t-shirts, socks and boxers for this wonderful annual event.

The past seven years Palomar friends Jim and Teresa McCarthy, have volunteered at the North County Veterans Stand Down. Teresa is on of the smiling faces, at the Hospitality Booth, greeting Vets as they arrive and distribute much appreciated clothing and toiletries. Jim pickups up vets at train stations, Brother Beno’s, and other shelters around the county as Vets travel from all over the US to the largest Stand Down. Jim also drives attendees to dentist and doctor appointments and will be a one-on-one ‘Battle Buddy’ this year.

You are invited to drop off any donations at their cabin on Crestline with the Yellow Door, or our place on State Park Road.

The event starts next Thursday and runs through Sunday, October 17th to the 20th. Three meals a day are provided for all. Would YOU like to help at the event? It’s a lot of fun and the more volunteers we have, the better. Such a great experience for all. Everyone who comes through, is so thankful and says this event is the best they have ever been to. So many people have their lives totally changed through this weekend. Come on out and be a part of it!

Thanks to all from Teresa and Jim and their son, Phillip who is one of the wonderful success stories from the program.

Call or Text Teresa at 760-855-4015

Oh my! Looking for a delightful place to experience and shop close by in Santa Ysabel? During your visit, you can also visit their sister store, Petals and Potions where you can enjoy a facial, grab lunch at Dudley’s or the Farmhouse, take home a pie or caramel apples from the Julian Pie Company. But first! Olive and Oak is having their grand opening this weekend! A forward from from: East Grader, Jana Lucaccioni From: Gina Taylor, owner at Olive and Oak Friday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM As we settle into our new home, we’re just getting started! There’s so much more in store for us in the coming months, and we can’t wait to share it all with you. Be sure to stay connected with us—there’s always something beautiful waiting for you at Olive and Oak. Join us every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting October 4th. For directions and much more, simply visit: https://www.oliveandoakantiques.com/

For those of you on the mountain this afternoon, ‘The Calvary’ showed up for a fire that stayed under an acre, with much gratitude to them and the crews on the ground! I just got of the phone with our own Station 79 Captain Dean Kawaski. He said it started up on a ridge between the back of Frye Creek Campground and Doane Pond. About 30 to 40 firefighters really got a workout today because they had to hike back in some steep terrain. Palomar’s Fire Department was joined by crews from Valley Center, Warner Springs and La Jolla Reservation. They were just sitting down to dinner at about 8:30pm and plan to be out mopping up first thing in the morning.

When I first heard about the fire, I called Ray and Sue Carpenter who have a huge pond on their ranch in Mendenhall Valley. They invited me down for a front row seat watching helicopters draw water, including this huge twin engine Chinook, that showed up about every four and a half minutes over an hour and a half. It holds 3000 gallons. Their pond and others on Palomar have been used for every fire up here for decades. Another reason to not have the 500KV towers anywhere at all on Palomar Mountain.

The pond is three acres. In an hour and a half they had taken about 60,000 gallons of water. We noticed the light color showing up on the lower part of the reeds along the edge of the pond where the water level was dropping. Ray and Sue had already turned on their well system that pumps 250 gallons a minute to keep the water supply up to fight the fire. Another fire popped up about 20 minutes later so the helicopters were at the pond again. We are so blessed to have the outcome we have when so many other areas is So Cal aren’t as fortunate.

I’d kidnapped Sandrine (webmaster for Save Palomar Mountain). We first drove up to the Campground entrance where trucks and crews from Escondido, Pala and San Pasqual were staged to assist if needed. But thinking they might have been able to go back home tonight in their clean turn-outs and shiny trucks.

We are so thankful for all of the amazing support and resources that kept that fire from spreading on our beautiful mountain!

Bonnie Phelps

PS – We’re working on getting a great video to you along with a wonderful story from Ray about what it took to get another fire out up here back in the days.

“Step up. Live without regret. Reach out and help others.”

These people involved in the Boatlift were among the Hero’s 23 years ago. So thankful I saw this about the time it was first released in 2013. I’ve played it many times over the years but surprised to see so few views. This morning I thought I’d share with you Palomar Mountain News folks and friends as we remember this day, and will Never Forget.

Bonnie Phelps

A smokey haze clouded our drive to the city late afternoon yesterday. On the way home the moon was orange through all the smoke. So Cal has quite a few fires and we are thankful they aren’t close to us. But, I do think most everyone on Palomar might have woken up during the night by the strong smell of smoke perhaps coming our way from the bigger fires in Orange County and San Bernadino and others throughout SoCal. We’re thankful that it is much clearer out there now.

Neighbors, Jim and Teresa McCarthy introduced us to a Fire app you might want to follow. Watch Duty is simple to see up for alerts that keep you posted in the county or you can click on their maps to keep up with other areas.

Cooler temps on the way should be helpful, too!

For the past 24 years there are very few times that I’ve missed a Real Estate inspection. I’m there to represent the seller and usually the buyer, but also I am there to LEARN. It is always interesting. We had a couple septic inspections today and I learned something new.

See the photos showing a pipe with no cover? That happens to be the vent pipe above a bathroom on a vintage cabin. Those darn woodpeckers, thinking they are storing up food for the winter, have filled that open pipe with acorns. Their cousins and ancestors for many decades have done all that gathering and stashing for naught. Hundreds – oh, I’m guessing maybe thousands of acorns have found their way into the septic tank. They may even be the cause of the outlet tee and possibly the leach field needing replacing.

Yes, the cabin owner is bringing up a vent cover like this one:

You might want to make sure all your vents are covered. It could save a lot of $$$ someday on a septic repair to get the system working again.

Here is another tip! On days like this, you might want to visit the General Store for their large selection of ice cream and chilled coffees. Ah, yes…

It’s warm up here today but just heard its 115 degrees in Pauma Valley!

Thankful to be on this beautiful mountain!

Stay cool!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor gearing up for several new listings heading your way!

760-533-1742

So many items have been donated to the Silent Auction! What is up for grabs? A very contented bear, hand signed by the late, Chris-the-Woodcutter Marszalek, that cute little roll-top desk, tables full of fun things! A fun cooking class! Like new bunkbeds the bedding, too, a queen frame and restored vintage dresser. Simply place your bid and keep an eye on it as others might want it too!

What else? Live Music and booths! Come on out to the Hoedown today! Click for the details and see you there!

Thinking about having your septic tank pumped? Considering selling? We usually have all tanks pumped and certified during escrow. Here is your chance to save $100.00! While the rebates last, you can sign up for $100.00 county rebate, get your tank pumped and then a rebate check is to be mailed to you.

The County program was set up to provide rebates for 400 properties. There are 91 rebate opportunities left… Thanks to Lafe Ball, next door neighbor to this little cabin, for letting us know about the rebate. Who should you call for service? Thad with All In Pumping has been the best price and such a professional and pleasure to work with. When you have your lids uncovered, you will save even more.

Sign up on line for the County Rebate Program, or simply give Kate a call 619-431-0763.