Palomar Mountain News

Many of us are privileged to enjoy Memorial Day on beautiful Palomar Mountain today – with thanks to those who have given their all.

See also:

Remembering Kenny

Pearl Harbor to Palomar

Memorial Day and Bill Leibold

(If the video doesn’t play, click on the title of the post to open in your browser.)

Do you love vintage cabin rustic and shabby chic?  How about primitive, industrial, farm house, garden or architectural?   Palomar’s own, Edie Bickler and her ‘Rust and Dust’ gals have some wonderful treasures to discover call your own at a huge Flea Market this weekend.  4559 Hwy 79 just 30 minutes down the road.  Saturday and Sunday 9 to 4

Curt Waite and Scott McClintock are just two of the volunteers who are trained to ‘watch for smokes’ from the towers on Palomar.  I asked for photos to share with you of them in the tower.  What a view!  See their updates below.  Thanks to ALL volunteers!   Bonnie

From: Curt Waite

The Boucher and High Point Fire Lookout Towers are in service.  Visitors are welcome. Please see update below from Scott.

Thanks,

Curt Waite, Administrative Coordinator

Forest Fire Lookout Assn.- San Diego Chapter

www.ffla-sandiego.org

FROM: Scott McClintock

A May 24th article in the San Diego Union titled “Dire County Fire Season Predicted”  has plenty of folks on their toes. It describes how 6 years of drought coupled with record winter rainfall to create worrisome wildfire conditions this summer and fall. We’ve seen the smallish smoke plumes all winter as Forest Service crews have been strategically burning fire breaks on some of Palomar’s ridgelines. And we’ve heard a lot about creating “defensible space” to protect our properties. It is also good to know that our band of 90 volunteers are on duty in the mountain’s two lookout towers quietly doing their best to spot young fires and give responders the advantage of an early attack.

The San Diego-Riverside Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association completed their annual classroom training in April and dedicated the month of May to training the dozen new “recruits” in the towers while simultaneously watching for smokes. This task is completed and the lookout veterans are now filling the schedules, peering through their binoculars virtually every day until Thanksgiving or after.

The Forest Service’s High Point Lookout, located on the northeast summit of the mountain is very remote and is off-limits to visitors. However, Boucher Hill Lookout is located in the State Park and welcomes visitors to drive up, talk to the volunteer lookout/docents, and get a tour of the charming and historic 1948 structure. While you’re there, be sure to thank our silent sentinels for their contributions toward minimizing large and destructive wildfires during this “…dire fire season.”

Scott McClintock

Chairman, FFLA-SDRC

George Evangelou enjoyed several decades of wonderful memories with family and friends at their cabin on Palomar.  The past few years he served as Treasure on the PMPO and his expertise and insight will be missed.

From:  Glenn Borland, PMPO Chair

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of George Evangelou, our acting treasure.  We will miss his continually upbeat outlook and attitude.

From: Rosemary Johnston

I know George was a much beloved figure on Palomar. I had the honor of serving on the Palomar Mountain Planning Organization with George. He had a good head on his shoulders and loved the mountain community. He always had a slightly bemused look on his face, and I could see why he was known as ‘Uncle Fun’ in his family.

Click for George Evangelou Memorial Blog and information for the Celebration of his Life in June.

More tributes are available here.

Everyone is invited to our Annual Pancake Breakfast and PMPO meeting this Saturday morning!

We’ll look forward to seeing you there bright and early for a delicious breakfast.  Pancakes, sausage, and fresh strawberries, OJ and coffee.  8 am to 10 am   Adults are $3.00 and children $1.00.

The Palomar Mountain Planning Organization (PMPO) Annual meeting follows breakfast at 10 am.  Stay tuned for the agenda.

Location: Palomar Mountain Fire Station

21610 Crestline Road

Free Drapes

These are floor to ceiling drapes, light tan in color, complete with 8 foot traverse rod. The fabric is not completely opaque, some light gets through. Like new condition.

Fred Brown 20130 State Park Road 760-742-1328

A little red cabin in the woods is for sale.  Recently I sold the cabin below it named, “Woodlynn”.  The seller, Alicelynn Cockrill said her folks built this red cabin so sent Read More…

Gold on Palomar?

In the summer of 1904, Palomar prospectors were mining for gold Read More…

Our little post office is one of the smallest in the United States.  Tomorrow you’re welcome to join us for a tour.

The Palomar Mountain Kids Club will be visiting our Post Office on Tuesday, May 16th!!  Mayolo will be giving the kids a behind-the-scenes tour of how things work in our tiny mountain post office at the summit.   Read More…

Hoping you have all had a wonderful weekend.

Since I have the pen here with Read More…