Palomar Mountain News

As many of you know, SDG&E owns easements under their power lines. For years Davey Tree did the tree work for them and did a beautiful job. Now they are going to be using Rancho Tree Service. We appreciate SDG&E keeping the area safe from fires. However, the most recent Davey crews really butchered a lot of Palomar leaving a very costly project for property owners. Many trees were cut to about 20 foot tall stumps with a token branch or a few left:

Many of us watched those branches, now of course, the entire tree die very quickly. When I first saw this “new way of grooming trees”, I stopped, talked to crews and went up the ladder for some properties to ‘finish the job’. Damage had already been done and it is very hard to get it corrected. When you cut the top of these once beautiful trees, they die and the work was not done to Cleveland National Forest Safety Standards nor compliant with Cal Fire requirements for keeping your property Fire Safe.

1. Since we are within Cleveland National Forest, their guidelines require that no stump be left taller that 8 inches on the tall side. These stumps and many more are 20 to 30 feet tall.
2. CAL FIRE now has annual inspections and one of the requirements states: “If you have dead or dying trees on your property, the entire tree needs to be removed to reduce wildfire risk.”
3. In addition, CAR, California Association of Real Estate has guidelines now through a state law, requiring a seller provide a CAL FIRE clearance or the Buyer needs to take the responsibility and have the work done within 30 days.

So much of the expensive work now required by CAL FIRE could be avoided for SDG&E to come back, remove the standing dead trees, cut the stumps to Forest Safety Standards and finish their job correctly. For a property owner to take this on, it is about $1800.00 per day.

Many of you are now getting tags on your front doors that new work is to be done by Rancho. Many of us believe that it could me much simpler for them to do the job according to the guidelines, the first time.

The goal for some folks is getting the work finished on their own property and of course making sure the new work is done within the guidelines.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor and always glad to get your questions answered

760-533-1742

Seven years ago I had the pleasure of meeting three very sharp, very nice brothers; John, Jim and Jeff.  They had been on a search for land to create weekend family escapes with lots of adventure.  This 48 acres was oozing with ‘potential’.   The sellers had not been there in many years and had some road work done so we could drive to the property. (That was very special!)  We hiked out to see ocean views to open up, but so much work ahead to even park their trucks on the land.  I didn’t quite have the vision the brothers had to do some clearing and clean up to get going on their dream.  But those guys rolled up their sleeves, started trimming out the standing dead trees, dropping dangerous leaners then designing roads and leveling pads for four cabins.   They drew straws to determine what pad each would call their own. Then, each brother went to work designing their cabin to fit their pad.  But first things first.  They built the charming guest cabin for Mom so she would be real comfortable watching their progress and have a great stop for all her grandkids to pop in for a fun game.  What a joy to be invited to visit over the years to see the ‘Triple J Ranch’ come to life!  They have so many four season memories right here in San Diego County to cherish forever. 

As you can imagine, no one really wants to sell.  But the brothers stumbled upon another opportunity north of LA, closer to their homes where they can do it all again, planning for their growing families.  Now it’s your turn!  Click through the info, lots of photos , watch the video below, then let’s take off on a tour of your lifetime! 

For those of you with old fashioned clocks, we all get an extra hour today. If you are one of my Facebook pals, you might know I have an ever-growing album called ‘View from my Desk’. This is the view I enjoy from my desk framed with oaks and cedars. The photo on my phone? It looks a bit like the little mountain road you travel to get to my newest listing I’ll post real soon. However, that happens to be a favorite road lined with oaks and cedars near our place in Missouri.

Are we moving to live near our Treasures (those grandkids)? Don’t think so. We’ve all had fun going back and forth. In fact, they are out visiting again now as our DIL’s family lives close by, too. So, we get an extra hour to be with them this morning that includes sausage and bacon. Enjoy your extra hour!

Bonnie Phelps, not looking at the clock but at those kids reading books on the couch!

It was a good morning for Palomar! Meet the new County Road Crew Supervisor, Andrew Holt, on the right and his number one guy, Tyson Magginni. I invited them up to check out some areas that are in need of more finish work after the new asphalt that was laid a couple months ago. Several of you have mentioned your concern. Many areas are like a big curb. We all appreciate the new asphalt but the edges of the road have a drop off in a lot of areas that makes it difficult for most cars and a real problem in snow.

Andy and Tyson were so disappointed to see the areas impacted the most along Bailey Meadow, State Park Road and Crestline. They are working on some solutions that include delivering road base material for smooth transitions and public safety.

Thank you Andy, Tyson and your crew! Palomar appreciates YOU!

Would you like to have the staff at the Christian Conference Center jump for joy? They are looking for housing for a new family headed up. Simply connect with David for the details:

Hi! It’s David Hasty with Palomar Christian Conference Center. We are looking to rent a 3 bedroom house on the mountain for a new Palomar staff member and his family. We would be open to both month-to-month rent or a year lease. I would love to connect with you if you are interested in potentially renting your home to us. Thank you for the consideration!

David Hasty | Lead Director

Palomar Christian Conference Center

o 760.742.3400 x (202)

c 760-267-7633

david@palomar.camp

Instagram | Facebook

www.palomar.camp

Would you like to escape to four cabins on two acres? Happy Holler was a much loved family retreat for much of the past 103 years! Meals were hosted in front of that big stone fireplace in the main cabin or out on the patio-in-the-woods. The Honeymoon Cabin is right up the hill with bathroom. Very charming, ‘Give me a Holler’ is tucked away in the trees and used as a bunk house in years gone by. The rustic Pioneer Cabin is the fourth, pretty original but sink, shower and toilet in place with updating needed. Meanwhile, there is a basement that apparently could park one of those early, horseless carriages and now has a laundry center with on-demand hot water. What would YOUR plans be for this lovely setting? Let’s see, you could be in for Fall Colors and our first snow! Christmas with family and friends would be the best ever!

Simply click for lots of photos and all the details!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor for all the Holidays!

760-533-1742

Apple Days are always so much fun in the Palomar Mountain State Park!

This year Apple Day is Saturday, October 28th 10 am to 2 pm Crafts, Games Goodies

In addition, there are Orchard Tours four different days: October 15, 21, 22 and 29

10 am to noon and 1pm to 3pm

Like to see some of the apple fun over the past years? Simply visit PMNews and click that little search bar on the right. Type in ‘Apple’. There are so many fun links to browse from days gone by.

Plan ahead with family and friends to enjoy a special time over the next few weeks! Thank you Rosemary Johnston for sending the info our way.

Bonnie Phelps

It was very sad to see the news this morning about El Rey. We’ve enjoyed so many meals with family and friends in this Pauma Valley restaurant at the base of the mountain.

A gal by the name of Peg Henry owned the building in the mid 1970’s when we first lived on Palomar. It was much different then, catering to grove workers and could get pretty rowdy. One day Servando “Van” Cueva stopped in for a cup of coffee. He told us the dishwasher hadn’t shown up so he volunteered to pitch in. With his friendly smile, and strong work ethic, he scrubbed those dishes, worked his way up and eventually got his US citizenship. That opened even more doors and Peg made him the manager. Van was able to buy the store next door, then when Peg retired, he acquired the restaurant.

Van had the vision to turn the restaurant into a family friendly, very popular destination for Mexican food. He was often there, greeting folks at their tables. He knew so many people by name and when he would stop at our table, I would usually ask him to share how he came be the owner. It is such a great story of the opportunity available for hard working people to build a successful business in America. He eventually purchased the entire strip mall.

When telling the story, at this point, he would laugh and say “now I’m back to washing dishes”.

So many of us will miss lingering after a delicious meal, in front of the wood burning fireplace or enjoying the beautiful fountain out on the patio.

Our hearts go out to Van, his family, all the employees and folks impacted by the fire this morning.

Bonnie Phelps

The Valley Center Magazine has a great article about a movie that was shot on Palomar. Produced by Veteran Powered Films, ‘Homestead’ is about a family living off-grid on a remote mountain. They sure picked the perfect location!

Simply click the article and more photos. The trailer for this film should show up on their website any day now.

Thanks to Ken Ruth for stopping by with the magazine to share with you.

Can you believe this is in San Diego County? So close and yet so far away from the stress of the city. Would you like to escape the September ‘May Gray and June Gloom’ of the flatlands? On a quick trip down to the city today, I had to pull over to capture this for you. Palomar Mountain has bright blue sunny sky and just a few miles down the grade we slipped through a think blanket of clouds with some drizzly rain in places.

It is perfect timing to come to the mountain top. I saw folks pulled over in several places along the way to take in the unusually beautiful views. Come on up and take your own soon-to-be favorite pix.

Of course, we’re glad to open some doors for you. Who knows, you might go home with keys headed your way for a delightful weekend getaway. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to change your address for fulltime living, the good life, above the clouds.

Come on up and explore your options at the top of the Highway to the Stars.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-533-1742

Nathan Phelps, Broker

619-576-1826