Picking up mail in a hurry last night I had the cowboy pull over in front of the Palomar General Store.
When what to my wandering eyes did appear but a fun little snowman, the first of the year!
I’m thinking we should meet up and see what else is waiting for us! Of course it should be after-dark to make shopping even more fun with the pretty lights! Oh, and I bet they have Christmas music playing….
Many of you remember me saying that ‘Glenn and Cecelia Borland are friends with everyone on Palomar and Cecelia is the hardest working person I know caring for all the goats, sheep, chickens and mountain kids’. She has always been quick to say that Glenn is the smartest person she knows. Oh, how she loves her Glenn.
How did they come to live on Palomar? Back in 2008, while driving past the Lodge, I noticed a truck I’d never seen before. It had all sorts of antenna on it and a bearded man looking like he needed directions. I asked if I could help. He explained that he was looking for a home at a high elevation for his ham radio hobby and land suitable for his wife’s goats and chickens. I invited him to jump in my car and see the new house I’d listed at the end of Birch Hill. We had just driven through the gate when he saw those huge boulders, smiled and said, “it’s perfect, my wife will love this”.
Even though Glenn pointed out that the house wasn’t bolted to the foundation and needed a lot of work, eventually they couldn’t resist. They went right to work to build the barn and Glenn’s lab so and they were up often, making friends with their neighbors. Pretty quick Glenn’s skills as an engineer and diplomat, strong business sense, calm demeanor and voice of reason were recognized, so Glenn was recruited for the PMPO, Volunteer Fire Department, Water Board and Church Board and served much of these 14 years. They moved up full time May 3, 2009 when they had his lab and the barn for the animals ready and enjoyed so much their time together on the mountain.
The photo was taken last summer at Vintana on our way to a special wedding. Such a lovely time together.
A few weeks ago, October 27th, Glenn arrived in Heaven.
Cecelia’s family flew in from Alaska, Texas and Arizona. Two long-time friends tied up some of his business. Her plan is to stay on her beloved mountain and evaluate after a year.
A celebration of Glenn’s life is planned for the spring. Cards, visits, hugs and prayers are appreciated.
It was off the market! The seller actually withdrew the cabin with the idea of putting it back up after the first of the year. But I was giving a tour to a nice couple a few weeks back and their wish list described this little cabin tucked away. I happened to know where the keys were and their dream came true!
Right before escrow closed, the buyer got a nice four wheel drive truck… Did you see the forecast???? A tease of a dusting tonight! Perfect timing!
Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, waiting with sleigh bells…
Dreaming of sitting ’round your woodstove, decorating a tree, cut from your land? How about filling up the cabin with family, friends and hot chocolate for all!? We have a fun forest fixer that is looking for a new family to freshen up and enjoy.
Bruce and Lola Graves came to Palomar and built this cozy cabin to stay in while they designed and built the ‘Big House’ across the road. They had such a wonderful time with their little kids, picking out the location to build both, while insuring the privacy of each. They finished the cabin in 1971. It had a big loft bedroom upstairs and downstairs a sliding door out to a covered patio. Later that was enclosed and is now the sleeping room. Bruce and Lola were very active in those early days of our Volunteer Fire Department and the PMPO. Neighbors thought it would be a good idea to have a Palomar Mountain Land Owners Association. Later that name was changed to be the Palomar Mountain Planning Organization. Bruce was chair for that board for several decades.
Lola enjoyed so much her time on the mountain and and loved having family and friends up for special mountain memories. She made her homemade soap, creative crafts and many pies for fund raisers for the building of the fire department. So the cabin owner has some history here these past 50 years and the PMPO and other organizations are always looking for more folks to volunteer on our favorite mountain. It will be fun to meet the next owners!
Paul Donica saved the day! He lives in Valley Center and loves to come up to Palomar. We were so pleased with his professionalism, service and such a pleasure to deal with. Five Stars!!!
Give Paul a call for all your electrical needs 760-207-4417
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Come away to the Cuca Ranch. Look up to see the occasional beauty of snow capped Palomar Mountain in the winter with a bit of a dusting for you.
Wake up every morning to beautiful sunrises and wind down in the evenings watching the sun set over the valley. Do you work from home? Great internet awaits. Would you like a place for the kids to run around and play in the big outdoors? How about your own well for a farm? Or, are you a car buff? Lots of room to add garages, an ADU or two, a big barn or whatever would make your dreams come true.
The Smith Mountain Boys had to cancel their concert at Lazy H tonight. Dutch has that bad flu bug going around. So we’re all staying in and hope to see you at one of the other concerts real soon.
Over the last five decades, mountain men Dutch Bergman and Bruce Druliner have been strumming their guitars and singing along.
The first time we heard them sing was about 1975. Thompson’s Summit Grove (now Mother’s Kitchen) had Saturday Night Steak Dinners for $3.95. True story. But, it wasn’t just the great dinner that drew so many people to the mountain on those summer nights. Being locals, we knew to show up early as there was always a long line outside to get served and enjoy the fun music with the band.
About once a month we still have a great time meeting up with friends at one of the venues.
Looks like we’ll be at Lazy H this Thursday with other mountain friends. Like to carpool? Share our table? Love to have you. Just let us know.
You have three options for December:
December 2022 Smith Mountain Boys Gigs from Denise Bergman
Thursday, December 1, 2022 5:00pm – 8:00pm Lazy H Ranch Pauma Valley, CA 760-742-3669 email = info@lazyh.com **Reservations recommended by email
Friday, December 16, 2022 6:00pm – 9:00pm Heroes (formerly Wynola) Pizza Julian, CA 760-765-1004
Saturday, December 31, 2022 6:00pm – 9:00pm (9pm Borrego midnight) American Legion Post 853 Open to the Public !! New Year’s Eve Borrego Springs, CA 760-767-4001
Tom Mendenhall, Operations Manager at Bailey’s Resort, is inviting the community to an evening of old-fashioned fun.
Bundle up and meet up at the historic Bailey Dance Hall. It will be a delightful evening to enjoy a private showing of the Christmas classic, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
The Resort is hosting the fun get-together. We are all invited to make up a batch of our very favorite cookies to share. You can enter to win a cozy Bailey’s fleece throw. How fun is that!?!
Directions: State Park Road to Bailey Meadow Road. Drive to the end and you’ve arrived!
Saturday, December 10th from 6pm to 8pm
Thank you Baileys! We’re going through our recipes!
Would you like to join us ’round our table for Thanksgiving tomorrow? This is a real invitation. Realizing most of you have big plans, just wondering if anyone might be by yourself or maybe not motivated to cook this year and like to come on over. We have a few last minute extra seats. We’d love to have you with other mountain neighbors for our favorite holiday.
There is something very special about living on this beautiful mountain. This has been our home for 27 years now. The View from my Desk could never grown old. Love the four seasons, lifestyle and all our wonderful friends. I often say being on Palomar is like going back in time a hundred years or so. Simpler times.
If turkey, all the fixings, pies and of course eggnog (‘Milk of Human Kindness’ for all you Scrooge fans), interests you, we have a place for you.
Palomar Mountain News 