Palomar Mountain News

After about five inches of rain we were having a very quiet New Years Day with neighbors ’round the woodstove. When the storm broke a bit, we looked out through the clouds and saw a big flock of turkeys. We normally see turkeys pecking for grubs while traveling on their route through our property a couple times a day. Today I counted 37 birds from my desk! We’ve lived here since 1998 and I don’t remember this many at one time in our neck of the woods! Apparently this much-needed rain brought a couple flocks together to celebrate.

A few minutes later five deer showed up and they hung with the turkeys for a few hours together. Such a beautiful view and a reminder about how special Palomar Mountain truly is.

Would you like to meet the locals? Glad to have you come for a visit.

All the best for your New Year ahead!

Bonnie and Don and our Forest Friends

760-533-1742 

Hello Neighbors,

Hoping you had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas and all the festivities this week holds.

You might recognize some mountain friends at church with us Christmas Eve – Cecelia, Dylan and Sandra. Candlelight for Silent Night is a favorite tradition.

Tonight the sky was so dramatic from my desk I just had to walk over to the lookout. There was such a contrast of clouds as the sun was setting. Those clouds were truly ‘rolling’ in. I took that first pic and came back quickly as it was chilly out there! Then I turned around and saw the change in the sky from our patio in just a minute or so. Tonight’s sky would have been an interesting video. So beautiful up here.

The Observatory shows over three inches of rain the past few days and our neighbor, Jim Hamerly reported 3.32 at the top of State Park Road. We’ll keep the tree up a little longer as I see more rain might be heading our way mid week. I like to hold out on taking down the tree until we have our first Winter Wonderland, but that could be awhile…

We love drop-ins. Our Starstrucks Coffee and Tea Counter is open 24/7 and you’re welcome ’round our fire anytime. If we don’t see you before, we’ll look for you next year. Meanwhile, it’s another Silent Night on the Mountain Top.

Wishing you a very happy and blessed New Year and may all your dreams come true …

Bonnie and Don

760-533-1742

After a three year remodel, the owners have decided to let their beautiful Round House Ranch property go for another family to enjoy. At the crest of Palomar Mountain the views and wildlife shows, simply take your breath away.

Lots of details and Four Season photos are waiting for you here. Who do you know who would like these views for the New Year?

We’re glad to wrap it up and put a bow on it!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor through all the Holidays

Palomar Properties 760-533-1742

A big tent is going up and this annual event has lots more to offer than I realized. I had a quick visit with Janice Mendenhall who manages the resort and she filled me in. Janice explained that this is all about the local kids having a very special holiday experience and every kid goes home with a gift. Simply look over the flyer with all that is being offered. The guy in the big white beard has been making children smile for many years. After greeting all with his “”Ho, Ho, Ho” he will pass out gifts and prizes and fun games for all. Santa’s next stop is in Texas where folks will be lined up to see him there, too, so be assured, this Santa is the real deal! Saturday’s Celebration is also a time to meet the local vendors and go home with some wonderful gifts to tuck under your tree. Delicious food and baked goods will be waiting for you, too!

A few more vendors just sign up. Clear weather is planned for this weekend! Tell your friends and neighbors, and load up your car for a fun day at Lake Henshaw Resort, just 20 minutes down the East Grade. Pull up to the main gate to the right of the Restaurant. That’s where you pay $10.00 per person with all kids under 18 are free, drive on back to the big tent with lots of parking and enjoy a very fun day.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… Hope to see you at the Lake!

Throughout the years, I’ve shared about Catherine Wood, the author of our first delightful book of Palomar History. Her Grand-Niece, Rebecca Macdonald sent this photo of her obituary in 1973. She has her book, as well as some of her handwritten notes and reference books. Rebecca was so pleased to find the post of Catherine’s book included in a mural in Escondido.

I’ve connected Rebecca with Peter B, our Mountain Historian. Hoping to have some more interesting posts headed our way.

Bonnie Phelps, Mountain Realtor since the turn of the century and lover of Palomar History!

You’re invited to the Second Annual music evening with Bruce and Rita Druliner ’round the big stone fireplace. Everyone is welcome for an old fashioned time featuring all your Christmas favorites with their piano and guitar music.

Last year’s delightful evening, took me back to 1975 when we were at an event out on Nate Harrison Grade. Gathered under the big oak trees, we heard Bruce sing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” for the very first time. Ever since, we’ve been one of his biggest fans. Rita adds even more magic with her lovely voice and talent playing the keyboard. They also created and printed up song sheets to make it easy to sing along.

This is just a peek of the decorations. Elves will be busy turning the room into a Christmas Wonderland for you to really get in the holiday spirit.

Thursday Evening, December 18, 5:00 to 7:00-ish

Community Center, next door to the Fire Station, 21610 Crestline Road, Palomar Mountain

A tray of Cecelia’s mountain-made cheeses will be there to tempt you. John Lesac has his recipe book out for some of his amazing creations baked in his wood stove. We’ll have a crock pot of meatballs and heavenly eggs like last year. (Heavenly eggs? Well, there’s nothing about the devil on Palomar!). You’re welcome to bring a favorite hardy appetizer or yummy dessert to share. If you’d like the night off, just come and indulge.

The event is hosted by volunteers and the Community Center folks with hot chocolate, coffee and tea provided. We’ll start gathering at 5:00 and and the music will play until about 7

Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to YOU!

Bonnie, Cecelia and Christine

That is one very proud turkey showing off with his pals and thankful for his nice long life. When you’d like to see turkey and deer, or occasional fox or bobcats, come on over. The wildlife love it in our neck of the woods. We do too.

We have so much to be thankful for with the beauty we all enjoy on Palomar Mountain. It’s a very special place with such nice neighbors.

A sincere thanks to all of you who have entrusted me with your Real Estate needs these past 25 years. It is much appreciated.

Wishing you a very wonderful and blessed day tomorrow with family and friends … go ahead and have that second piece of pie!

Bonnie and Don and Family

Guessing most of you glanced through a recent post about a ‘Grey Bobcat‘? It peeked the interest of one of the subscribers. He didn’t leave his name but left a VM at 7:30 am: “… I thought you’d be up by now doing business. This call isn’t for business, this is monkey business but I’m thinkin’ your gray bobcat is more likely to be a gray lynx. They have been known to be seen around this neck of the woods from time to time over my past 88 years or more …”

I ‘d been up for an hour but hadn’t turned my phone on yet. Well, I just had to call this guy who hadn’t left his name. When he answered, I recognized his voice right off. Arlie Bergman. He said he is going on 89 years old now. The Bergman and Mendenhall families have a lot of history on this mountain and the Lynx, known as ‘King of their Country’ are a part of the back country.

We’ve lived up here since 1998 and in my adventures out and about I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Lynx. When I took that photo, he was making eye contact and we were so close. Bobcats usually keep moving and run off. He seemed a little close for comfort so I started backing up and he turned and went on his way. This cat seemed much bigger than the bobcats we see frequently. I’d never really noticed tails or the tuffs on their ears before so it was interesting to glance at some of these links when I searched Lynx vs. Bobcat difference.

Thank you Arlie, we’re learning something new everyday!

Here is a quick glimpse of the last few minutes of the Harvest Festival. The music was delightful… but who is that bearded guy in the back? Keep reading for the reveal of ‘Buffalo John’ at the bottom of this post.

Who is the face behind the Buffalo Beard? You’ll have to watch the video. The story is told that John road his motorcycle to Sturgis. A vendor at the rally made buffalo hide coats and accumulated scraps so decided to make beards. John just had to have one and sure has a lot of fun with it.

Thanks to all who work to make this event a great time every year on Palomar Mountain.