Palomar Mountain News

Some of you know Jerry and Alicelynn Cockrill, the sellers of Woodlynn.  Their sweet cabin will be passed on next week to another couple who are so happy to be the new owners.  This note came today and thought I’d share – it is also a nudge to winterize as SNOW is promised Sunday:

” …  Our family tradition for many years was to have Thanksgiving on the mountain (and then winterize the cabin) so I have good memories.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and loved ones.”     

Alicelynn

Here is the Forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=SGX&textField1=33.3148&textField2=-116.844#.WDcfGrIrLox

Snow Tips – Be sure to turn off your water, drain your pipes and put antifreeze in all toilets, sinks and shower drains:  http://www.mypalomarmountain.com/snow/

A Turkey Trot to Boucher Lookout is guaranteed to work up your appetite for all that yummy food heading your way.  Scott McClintock, chairman of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, confirmed the tower will be manned through the weekend, weather permitting. So, that means you can climb the stairs to the very top to hear all about the Fire Lookout while taking in that million dollar view.

For those more avid hikers, you might park at Silvercrest Picnic Area and walk the loop, up along the road.  For your hike down, you’ll find a dirt path in the back corner of the Boucher Lookout parking area. Of course, a certain granddaddy I know, might be convinced to shuttle the wee ones up to Boucher for their “Tower Field Trip”  and let them run down the path and meet at the entrance to the loop.

The $8.00 day fee to the park applies, so you might also end up with a walk around Doane Pond.

Here is a video telling about the low tech way the volunteers spot wildfires: http://www.cw6sandiego.com/fire-lookouts-decidedly-low-tech-way-spot-wildfires/

Last chance for a tower tour, since it is closing for the season the end of the month: https://palomarmountainnews.wordpress.com/2016/11/19/lookout-towers-closing-for-the-season/

Lots to be thankful for, above the clouds on Palomar Mountain!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Bonnie and Don

Time to batten down the hatches!  “Heavy Rain” promised tomorrow night.  I’m off on a little adventure, gathering up some things that have been fine outside for a while.  Since it would probably be better to not have them rained on, I have a fun after-dark adventure planned while looking forward to this promise of rain…  Enjoy every drop!

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=SGX&textField1=33.3148&textField2=-116.844#.WDEkz7IrLox

From: Scott McClintock

Lookout Towers Closing for the Season

The Forest Fire Lookout Association is the group that staffs the two fire lookout towers on the mountain.  High Point tower is 2 miles northeast of the observatory, and Boucher Hill tower is on the west side of the State Park.  The volunteers have been on duty virtually every day since May 1^st, and will be shuttering the towers for the winter on November 30.  This season they have provided over 11,000 hours of vigilance, reporting smokes so that firefighters get early warning of young wildfires.  They also report weather readings that help the National Weather Service and the Cleveland National Forest in predicting wildfire behavior.  At Boucher Hill tower, they also serve as docents and provide free tours of the historic structure.

This Thanksgiving, take your mind off of the post-election turmoil for a while and give thanks to those quiet, unsung volunteers who help keep our mountain safe.

The owners of this charming O’Chalet gave me keys a while back.  They were going to do some painting and then I would take pix for marketing.  We’ll this is the most recent pic!  We just had the chimney swept and septic certified – inspections are done.  I finally got the cabin on my website … tonight!  I couldn’t resist slipping a client in a few weeks ago and he couldn’t resist being the next owner of this cabin looking out to the 575 acre Jeff Valley.  It is already spoken for!

I do have the keys to the cabin next door… now is your chance to have even more to be thankful for with a cabin in your name on Palomar!

Just realized we have eight escrows rolling up here and several closed this week.  Buyers have been calling and emailing, looking for some new options.  Just let me know what questions I may answer for you to be the next ‘In Escrow’ sign on Palomar.

Looking for a mountain property?  Let’s take off with my keys!!!

Bonnie enjoying Fall on the Mountain

Many of us are thankful we aren’t going to have to share Hwy 76 with about 500 trash trucks a day.  Thanks Mike Appelman for sending the good news our way: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-gregory-canyon-20161117-story.html

Wow, tonight is the night for the biggest and closest moon since 1948. Mike Pique sure got some great shots of the Supermoon on Palomar!  The goal was to get that moon slipping up over the 200 inch.  But, tall trees, hills and valleys just weren’t cooperating the other day when we went out checking some areas.  Turned out the 60 inch was perfect to be in his photos and about the same size.  Thank you Mike!

It’s a beautiful night on Palomar, look up and enjoy!

Palomar has hosted many veterans over the years.  I’ve had the privilege meeting quite a number of vets that served our country going back to WWII.  One day at the post office, I met Matt and Amanda.  Many of you remember them when they lived here while Matt was stationed at Pendleton.

Their photo popped up on my Facebook this morning from 4 years ago so I thought I’d share. Matt served in Afghanistan and we are so thankful he returned to his wife and two young sons. We have fond memories of many adventures out and about on the Mountain,  extra Marines for relaxing weekend barbecues and time ’round the campfire. But, maybe my favorite was having sleepovers for their boys while mom and dad had a night off for the Military Balls.

With respect, honor and gratitude, I say thank you, to the millions of people who have given up time away from friends, family and fun to serve our country.

From atop beautiful Palomar Mountain, we honor our veterans – our heroes and their families.

Bonnie and Don

O what a beautiful view!!!  See over the Jeff Valley – soon to be National Forest!!!  Now, that will be a pretty nice 575 acre back yard, don’t you think!!!  You also see Lake Henshaw, the Laguna Mountains, Warner’s Valley and beyond at this very private cabin on the east side of Palomar Mountain. 

The cabin had it’s beginnings in 1964 as a Boy Scout Lodge so have insignias branded on the beams in the great room.  Wait until you see it now!!!  The owners are finishing up remodeling the bathrooms with beautiful tumbled stone and travertine. 

1528 sf with a big, open kitchen and living area where you can sit around an efficient fireplace insert that really warms it up to keep it toasty.  A laundry room and bath on the walk-in level, too.  Upstairs is a stand-up loft and down stairs is a master bedroom/game room with a big walk-in closet and the second beautifully remodeled bath. 

The cabin as been enjoyed for over 50 years with family and friends packing people in for four seasons of fun. The kitchen has put out some delicious meals with calls for seconds and everyone enjoying the views from every window. 

The prior owner added a trex deck with plexiglass panels for you to really take in the views. .47 of an acre but feels like hundreds…  O what a view! 

I just happen to have the keys so can slip you in for a ‘pardon our dust’ tour.  More photos real soon – but, who knows, it might be gone by then!!!

Come and claim it! 

More info including photos on webpage when owners purchased in 2011…. Scroll down at this link to see O’Chalet Coming Soon!  http://www.palomarproperties.com/cabins

That extra hour came early for me this morning.

I had to giggle the other day when I saw neighbor, Gary Lockard’s post: “I love turning the clocks back so it gets dark by 4 pm, said no one ever”.

And my favorite?  “Remember to set your scale back 10 pounds…”  If only it was that easy, if only!

Many thanks to a Vista High School classmate, Brian Lippe for this beautiful shot of our Fall Colors.  He took it from the deck of Cabin Fever last week.  Yes, Palomar is extra pretty this year!

Happy Sunday y’all!

Bonnie-catching-up-a bit