Palomar Mountain News

Are you one of the folks dreaming of your own big stone fireplace in a cabin on Palomar? Little Cabin in the Big Woods is back on the market and sure checks a lot of boxes.

Just posted about a vintage Guest Book found in neighboring cabin. May 30, 1953 a guest shared about another wonderful stay at a friend’s cabin. Some of what she longed for and enjoyed so much is so very true today and fits so well for Cabin in the Big Woods, built in 1925.

Palomar “… is truly a haven of serenity and calmness; it embraces all visitors with welcome arms. Here is an offer to drop the heavy troubles that threaten to drown us in a sea of chaos; here is an offer to relax and enjoy ourselves. I always think of this wonderful cabin as an opportunity to get my perspective on things … The few hours I’m able to spend here, fly by as the hours of enjoyment always do. The simplicity of this ‘resort’ acts as a strong magnet to people from all walks of life to enjoy themselves…” on this beautiful mountain.

Yes, this cabin has been a much-loved escape for 97 years. But, it could also be lived in full time, like some of the surrounding neighbors are doing. Click for lots of photos. What would your plans include? Let’s see if we can help you make your dreams come true.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, enjoying our big fireplace tonight on enchanting Palomar Mountain

It was so fun to have the owner of this cabin pull out this enchanting Guest Book that belonged to Hutch and Winnie Hutchinson 70 years ago. According to the assessor records, the cabin was 5 years old. I see the front porch was already enclosed. Now the cabin has more than doubled in size and is looking for a new owner with an empty guest book to fill!

Palomar got electric lights about that time and one entry mentioned the great food and how much their guest enjoyed wiring the cabin in December 1954. They were friends with many old timers names I’ve seen on deeds and read about in Palomar history books; Brownells, Morrisons and Thelma Samsioe. Hal Bowden stopped by and signed several times, once on official business with the Water Company. His son inherited his two cabins a few years ago. Those kids, Linda Dunbar and her brother Robert visited, and she wrote “This is the place the clouds and sun come together.” They still have a family cabin on the Mountain. (Big Jim, where were YOU that day?)

I envy the beautiful handwriting and many folks left poems.

“There are some who spend a life-time seeking Shangrila. I am among the fortunate – I have found it on Palomar. I have seen the stars, like the eyes of night reach down to earth. I have seen the orb of day sink down into a sea of fleecy clouds; and felt the peace and serenity that must have been when the earth was new. All this and Hutch and Winnie, too!”

At another time, the same author penned:

Even though I may be far

From this beauty spot on Palomar

My inmost thoughts will still be near

And in my dreams I shall be here.”

Has it been a dream of yours to own a beautiful piece of Palomar? Now is your chance. The first time I sold this charming cabin it was owned by folks who purchased it from Hutch and Winnie. We’re now looking for the 5th new owner since my shift, to carry on the tradition creating such happy memories with fine food and wonderful friends enjoying the amazing views. Here is a view the present owner captured this week:

Like to make it YOUR view? Quick, come up and see for yourself.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor enjoying the Good Old Days but the BEST is yet to come for you on Palomar!

It was so fun to pop by a Property Inspection today between showing appointments. Megan and Bryan picked a big bag of fresh vegies from their garden this morning and brought eggs from their chickens in all different colors. The carrots and kumquats were for lunch and what a fun dinner I had tonight! Breakfast for Dinner with eggs, chives, chard, thyme and a bouquet of lavender. The cowboy I live with is looking forward to collards just like he had in the back woods of Carolina. Thank you, thank you for such a delicious, fun treat!

They have camped many times on the mountain are so excited to have their own cabin real soon. We have such fun new neighbors heading our way. So exciting!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, feeling very spoiled and loving what I do!

Out and about getting some new marketing photos it was so fun to see the early daffodils popping up ’round the mountain. This is your friendly reminder to ‘Spring Forward’ an hour tonight, sleep fast and get where you’re going on time tomorrow.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor looking forward to Spring-on-the-way

Seeing that Brown Bear Ridge sign with icicles, I just had to stop and take the photo for you. We didn’t let that last big snow slow us down to get this cabin closed real quick. That cowboy I live with took his old John Deere over there to plow so I could show this new family the cabin. We were able to get right through the snow, and build and big fire in the fireplace to warm up while they were checking things out.

The cabin had been in escrow for a few months with another buyer while many things were being done. Our mountain locals really went to work to breath much needed new life into this cabin. They got the broken pipes replaced, paint touched up, a very nice railing and ladder to the loft made, water turned on, new septic and a propane tank installed. We found out the electrical panel from decades ago had been recalled so that was replaced. There is a new refrigerator and stove, RV hookups and lots of tree work done for insurance and fire safety and more.

The seller had a couple different addresses for the cabin. When I posted a sign a neighbor said they had the same number. Oh dear, that won’t work. So a connection at the county gave us a couple options. We got the house numbers heading the right direction so all is well.

Another project was to puzzle out a deeded easement to this property. Over the years we have been able to get letters from the county recognizing public access on several quarter-corner plat maps but this cabin is in an area that we hadn’t been able to cure. Pulling adjoining parcel information some discoveries were made so all is well. If you own a property and want to pull a permit to build or remodel, the country requires a ‘deeded plotted easement’. Happy dance when these all come together so they can be recorded with title insurance.

But the BIG plus?! A very nice new family is joining us on Palomar!

Bonnie Phelps, having such a fun time in this real estate market!

How may I help YOU?

Don’t let this one fly away!!!

Back on the market with some new additions coming your way. Your peaceful, private view is amazing. Yes, you see the sun shining on the Pacific Ocean out there. When I took this photo I didn’t realize a little chickadee was passing through until I saw the photo. I’m quite certain we’ll be in escrow real soon so you’ll want to be quick before it gets away!

For those of you who have seen this home in the past, the kitchen will have a nice little island with extra storage and a drop-leaf table-for-two. The walk-in pantry will be sparkling with new paint and have shelving for all your supplies and great indoor firewood storage, too.

Click to see Mountain Rose. Furniture is optional and if you’d like it to stay, it could be so easy to spend your first night there when escrow closes.

The roads are clear so come on up. We do have so snow in the shade to make it extra fun for a tour.

Bonnie Phelps, just waiting for your tour!

When I came across these turkey tracks it made me think of my schedule these days. So many buyers up here wanting a place on Palomar! Just opened my eighth escrow. Yes, that Little Cabin in the Big Woods has a new owner heading their way. But the other buyers are more anxious then ever to get their own place on Palomar.

Do you have a ranch, home, cabin, lot or land you’d consider letting go? Let’s connect!

Yes, I still have a few more in my pocket that are in different stages of being ready to go, but who knows? Some of these just might sell before they hit the MLS, too!

Click to see my listings, presently in escrow.

Glad to help you with a sale while interest rates are still low for the buyers.

Let’s do this!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, running ’round getting the job done!

One of our neighbors, Glen Heggsted is having his driveway paved. There is a discount for all if you want to have asphalt work done at the same time as much of the cost is getting the equipment up here. Glen is using Joe’s Pavin. You may reach out to Sean, project manager at (858) 204-6190.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, very busy avoiding pot holes

Many of you have let me know that your insurance rates have dramatically increased. It appears that our Assemblymember, Marie Waldron, has some good options for us within her message from today:

(Thanks Rosemary Johnston for sending this our way!)

From: Asm. Marie Waldron <Assemblymember.Waldron@outreach.assembly.ca.gov>
Date: Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Subject: Finally Help with Home Insurance

Marie Waldron, State Assemblymember — Last month, the California Insurance Commissioner announced new regulations aimed at improving wildfire prevention and driving down the cost of insurance for homeowners in high fire risk areas. The proposed changes would require insurance companies to factor consumers’ and businesses’ wildfire mitigation efforts into the cost of coverage. The new regulations would also provide homeowners and businesses with the wildfire risk scores that are assigned to their properties and create a process by which consumers can appeal their score and other factors insurance companies use to assess wildfire risk.

These changes are long overdue and will help homeowners, farmers, and ranchers in high-risk wildfire zones, like Valley Center, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Pauma Valley, Rincon, Rainbow, and Palomar Mountain, find and keep more affordable coverage. I have heard from hundreds of constituents who have had their insurance coverage non-renewed due to living high fire risk areas and struggle to find an affordable replacement.

For a list of steps you can take to reduce the risk of wildfires in your neighborhood, click here. There are already many insurance companies offering discounts to residents and businesses that take these fire hardening precautions which can be viewed here.

The California Department of Insurance invites the public to share its feedback on these proposed regulations at an upcoming hearing on April 13th, 2022. I encourage everyone to make their voice heard!

This is a major step toward helping Californians find and keep quality insurance at an affordable rate.

Sincerely,
Marie Waldron
Assemblymember, 75th District

This past weekend’s showings have two new escrows rolling. Brown Bear Cabin had a buyer but they needed to bow out. The seller was having more work completed so we still had it off-market. A sharp couple was following the listing and decided to call about it. They are scheduled to close with a quick two week escrow. Click to see Brown Bear Cabin in escrow.

The Partridge Nest had a tour scheduled yesterday with the plans to write it up. An agent had his buyers drive by and felt they had to have it too. Meanwhile, one of the owner’s sons and family spent the weekend there. So, you know the end of the story. The Nest will stay in the family. Very sorry for the other two buyers but we’ll have something else soon. Click to see the Nest in escrow.

Here is info about a cabin I just put up this morning:

Little Cabin in the Big Woods is tucked away down one of our mountain roads with your own half acre of woods to explore. Towering oak, cedar and fir trees and the cutest little outhouse ‘outback’. Lots of love was bundled into this oh-so-charming cabin with beginnings 97 years ago! It’s so nice to think about the many folks with very happy memories, relaxing in front of that big stone fireplace.

The kitchen was remodeled a few years back with retro appliances and that beautiful knotty pine was added in other areas of the cabin, too. Three ‘sleeping rooms’ are waiting for your family and friends. It is up to you to add closets or maybe just hooks on the wall like they did back in the days. You’ll want to bring your big tool box as the bathroom is calling out to be remodeled next and maybe even add a washer/dryer. There are other projects waiting for you, too. So much opportunity with the walk-out basement area and wrap-around trex deck.

The property owns a water share with Palomar Mutual Water Company. We have a deeded, plotted road easement waiting for you to park 3 or maybe more, cars on your land. Who will be the next owner? Is it YOU?

Simply call for your tour! Click to see Little Cabin in the Big Woods For Sale

Yes, things are really busy and you need to be quick to snag one of our pieces of paradise on Palomar. Several more listings heading your way soon!

Are you thinking about selling your property? Timing couldn’t be better. Let’s do this!

Bonnie Phelps, having a ball with all the Real Estate fun!