Palomar Mountain News

Some of you know Ken and Lori Nicochea.  They owned a cabin on Palomar where they loved to bring the family on weekends.  Ken and Kenny Jr. enjoyed many hours together fixing up the “Nicochea Chalet” out on Birch Hill.  When Don and I saw Lori’s post and touching videos tonight, I just had to share with you.  What a gift Kenny’s camera was to his family, and all of us, telling just some of the story of the soldier’s dedication to our country during their last days.  We’re the land of the free because of the brave men like Kenny and his buddies.

<<<  From:  Lori Nicochea

The “Day” is the object of Memorial Day…remember, on this “day”, those that died while in service to our country. In a F.O.B. in Kabul; our son and 5 other men in his unit, 101st, died fighting in the insurgency – Operation: Enduring Freedom. I’ve put this vid up several times — but our son captured the “essence” of his 5 short months in Afghanistan on his camera. The Army sent his Dad the camera, almost 2 years later — it was amazing to upload these moments — and preserve the time he spent there with his brothers. Today is a perfect day to post it again.

Kenny called us just days before the suicide bomber forced his way onto the base where our soldiers were camped on their mission. He said ” I don’t think I’m going to make it back. I just want you guys to know I love you”.

Kenny Sr. and I want everyone to have a beautiful Memorial Day — but remember, as we know everyone does, that there is truly a cost for the way in which we enjoy our freedoms here in America.  >>>

Click to see Kenny’s photos from his camera.

We have so many stories of our Military with ties to Palomar.  It would be an honor to share, just send them my way.

Bonnie

Memorial Day is the perfect day to introduce new neighbors, Daniel and Jandery Baik. They invited me to pop by and I caught them out raking their property after our May storms. When I asked why they just had to have a home on Palomar, they pointed to a turn-out, down on the South Grade and it became quite an interesting story.

Daniel is one of America’s finest, a Captain the Marine Corps.  He and Jandery met in the gym one day, in Texas, during flight school.  They married in 2012 and Jandery has worked as a psychologist. Daniel’s first deployment was a Tomcat Tour.  He flew combat operations for six months in Afghanistan.

His first view of Palomar was from far up above.  He was in the cockpit, flying a Harrier Jump Jet over the Mountain.  Looking down, he noticed the Observatories and was intrigued.  About six months later, he brought his wife up for the day.  On their way down, they pulled over at a turn-out on South Grade, Jandery was taking in the view, but Daniel noticed some homes up on the ridge. He commented how nice it would be to own a home with that view.

Leaving for his next deployment, he spent 5 months in Qutar. Daniel is now with the modern-day Blacksheep Squadron, located at Marine Corps Air Station, in Yuma. In World War II, this squadron was headed up by flying ace, Pappy Boyanton. Daniel explained that Pappy took on a band of mis-fits that other squadron leaders didn’t want and made history with those men.  Some of you might remember the Baa Baa Black Sheep TV show in the 1970’s, and book telling of their successes that helped win the war.  Pappy was later awarded both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor.  Daniel loves his career, flying the Harrier and looks forward to piloting other planes as well.

When he returned from deployment, he went online and started following real estate on Palomar.  When this home came on the market, he looked at the photos and thought it could be the one they saw from the lookout that day.  (It was!!!)  They kept meaning to come over from Yuma to see it, but just hadn’t set a time.

One day, the sellers called and asked me to take their home off the market for a month or so to do a re-fi.  I slipped it off my website and the phone rang in a few minutes.  It was Daniel.  “My house is not on your website anymore.  We have been looking at that home on line and really love it”.  I explained the situation, spoke to the sellers, and Daniel and his wife came the next day and just had to have it.  It has been about two and a half years now since that first peek of Palomar from the sky and now they own much of that same view!

Welcome Daniel and Jandery!  We’re so glad to have you keeping your eye on us on your fly-overs.  Thank you for your service to our country!

More New Neighbors

Perhaps the most magnificent views on all of Palomar.  Four separate parcels: The Rock House, a Pioneer Cabin, a Nanny Cabin, plus an unpainted canvas of vacant land.  Entice your building dreams to capture these views, woven around magnificent boulders, fabulous trees and wildlife, and the perfect location for star gazing.

Click for lots of photos and info but this is one you must see for yourself.  Let’s connect and slip away for a tour…

Bonnie Phelps

76O 742 one 742

Carpeted with wildflowers in the spring, see the islands dotting the Pacific with dramatic views from this 27 acre on the South Grade.  Bordering National Forest on two sides, it is for those with the Spirit of Adventure.  Like your own well?  Check out the Well Cert on the website and lots more at Land for Sale on Palomar Mountain.

Let’s take off on a hike and check it out!

Call Bonnie Phelps for a Tour

76O 742 one 742

Interesting request a few weeks ago from a guest booking Cabin Fever.  They asked if this vacation rental had an iron and ironing board!  That hadn’t come up before, but those two items are now our latest additions to this cute little cabin.  These folks explained they were to attend a wedding this weekend.  They just didn’t count on needing mittens and warm scarves (also stocked at the cabin).  When their note arrived this morning, I smiled, and just had to share:

<<< From: Cabin Fever Guests

We arrived in good shape yesterday and couldn’t be happier with Cabin Fever.  Although we haven’t had to break out the sun screen quite yet, we expect the weather will improve while we are here.  We will be attending a wedding being held tomorrow at the Upper Meadow Lodge.  We really feel lucky to have found accommodations so close to the wedding venue.

We took a little drive this AM and found several of the places shown on your map.  We are going to purchase some firewood from the Store when it opens at 11.  A cozy fire will put the icing on the Cabin Fever cake.

We appreciate the assistance you provided prior to our arrival.  Things couldn’t have gone any smoother.  Thanks >>>

When you need extra room for guests, like a few days away, or know someone attending a wedding on a sunny, rainy, or snowy weekend, we’ve got you covered.  Simply check out our Rentals link.

There are some fun options waiting for you up here in the clouds after some delightful May rain.

Do you have a rental you’d like added? Just let me know.  It is a free service.

Bonnie Phelps

76O 742 one 742

Everyone is invited to the Pancake Breakfast this Saturday!  I’m a week behind – Memorial Day Weekend is coming early this year!

This Saturday, May 23rd, 2015

Breakfast is served from 8 am to 10 am (new time):

Hot Mountain Pancakes, Sausage

Fresh Orange Juice & Strawberries

Steaming Hot Coffee

Best buy in America: Adults $3.00, Children $1.00

The Annual Palomar Mountain Planning Organization – PMPO Meeting follows breakfast at 10 am (new time).

Come on out, meet your neighbors, enjoy a delicious breakfast and hear about what’s happening on Palomar Mountain!

Location:

Palomar Mountain Fire Station

21610 Crestline Road at East Grade Road (S-7)

Peter has done it again!

Untold hours of research and work was done by former cabin owner, Peter Brueggeman.  Peter has produced another wonderful read, free of charge, telling of history of our favorite mountain.  His most recent is a biography of Clark Cleaver, one of Palomar’s pioneers.  He planted many acres of apples out here on State Park Road.  We were told, when we first purchased our place, that Clark Cleaver planted the apple trees. We’re still enjoying those apples 100 years later.

Peter’s research turned up some delightful new photos along with a glimpse at this kind man’s life.

From: Peter Brueggeman [mailto:peterbman@gmail.com]

I’ve completed a biography of Clark Cleaver, the ‘apple king of Palomar Mountain’ which is available on my Palomar Mountain History website, in the topmost Books section, at http://peterbrueggeman.com/palomarhistory/  (seventh story down the page)

Cleaver tended his apple orchards along State Park Road at the bends there, owned land elsewhere on Palomar Mountain along with his younger brother, and had a considerable history before moving onto Palomar Mountain in his latter years. Robert Asher says that Clark Cleaver didn’t say much about himself, and so it took extensive research in a variety of resources to put together the thread of his life.

The photo is of Clark Cleaver of which I’m fond… it is scanned from a Robert Asher glass plate negative. I came onto a few of his glass plate negatives when Asher’s family gave me Robert Asher’s remaining files/papers. I’m pleased the Clark Cleaver biography held your interest. Researching and writing it opened up interesting and surprising historical paths for me, e.g. California Indian wars, the California gold rush, early Nevada homesteading. Researching Clark Cleaver led me into the history of Palomar Mtn roads and road building …. sorting out the status of the various roads over time. The commonly used road up/down Palomar Mtn changed over time. In reading back, it was frequently not referred by specific name, so it can be a puzzle to figure out which road was involved when.

Peter

……. Peter Brueggeman La Jolla, California USA peterbman(at)gmail.com

Heritage Well service has done a lot of work on Palomar over the years.  Eric has been up for well repairs and certifications and is now back to drilling wells again. Here is their latest news and contact info:

From: Heritage Well Update

Heritage Well Service www.heritagewellservice.com 951-763-2210 check us out on Yelp! http://www.yelp.com/biz/heritage-well-service-aguanga

Hi there,

We wanted to announce that we have (finally) purchased a water well drilling rig. The rig is capable of drilling commercial, agricultural and residential wells using either mud rotary or air rotary methods up to 1000 ft. We hope to have it up and running by June 1st and are awaiting its arrival next week from Colorado. As many of you know Eric is experienced in drilling wells and did so for a number of years when he worked with his parents at Aguanga Waterwell. We hope you will keep us in mind when referring your clients for new drilling jobs.

Thank you again for all of your referrals and expertise, we appreciate our relationship with each of you!

Eric & Megan Haley

Heritage Well Service www.heritagewellservice.com

951-763-2210 check us out on Yelp! http://www.yelp.com/biz/heritage-well-service-aguanga

Sure is perfect weather for burning your downed branches and trimmings after cleaning up your property from all these storms.  To get a burn permit, simply call Tim Gray at the Forest Service.  619 209-1414

Don’t want to do your own burning?  You might consider connecting with Robert Carlyle.  Robert and Tractor can pick up your slash and he has a great area to safely burn on his property.  76O 742 one 1891.  He can groom your property for you too.

We just had to drive around a bit during this beautiful storm and then stop for lunch at Mother’s.  Ohmygoodness, huge snow flakes were coming down.  It stuck for a few minutes but melted as it turned to a gentle rain.  Thanks to Wil Parent for sending his noon time Birch Hill view our way.

Jim Mendenhall came in the restaurant as we were finishing up today.  He said in 1975 he was sitting in our house with the owners at that time, Andy and Nel Ridge. It was mid to late June, as school had let out.  It really started snowing.  About six inches of snow accumulated pretty fast.  The road crew was out plowing but within about two hours, it had all melted as the ground was so warm.

Maybe we’ll get a nice snow in June, too!