Palomar Mountain News

Thank you to all subscribers to Palomar Mountain News over the years. It is extra special to see you in person and also always a pleasure to have you at my fingertips. I’ve enjoyed so much sharing news of our favorite mountain since 1998.

Here is a tip: When you open your inbox and see a new message, you might click on the blue highlighted name of the post. Then it opens up in my blog and the photos might be more interesting to view.

You also might enjoy sharing a link with your friends and neighbors, inviting them to Subscribe so they can have the latest news of our special mountain. That way you are both getting the latest from the mountain top.

Enjoy and Happy Summer!

Bonnie Phelps

Editor since 1998 and Realtor in the Cities and Above the Clouds since the beginning of the Century

Looking for a fun time out on the water for up to 16 of your friends? Lake Henshaw has two new pontoon boats available for full or half day rentals. Each boat holds up to 8 people. You can also put two together, open the little door between and have a Pontoon Party for 16.

It is first come, first served. $300 per day per boat. Go out as early as 7 am, in by 6-ish depending on time of year and weather conditions. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check with staff at the Lake. They also rent fishing boats with motors. Call or stop by Lake Henshaw Resort 760-782-3501

We had so much fun taking a ‘few’ snacks out with friends. Come ride along with us, there is plenty for everyone:

It’s getting late so we need to get this boat back to the dock:

Beautiful, isn’t it? Call the Lake and reserve your boat today! 760-782-3501

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor, always ready for an Adventure!

It is always fun to welcome new cabin owners to this beautiful mountain. Chris Clarke comes with a banjo! We’ll have his family introduced real soon when everyone can be here the same time for a photo. Meanwhile, the bluegrass band is playing at Wynola Pizza this Saturday night, the 24th. Who is going to join us? We usually car pool to make it extra-fun. You’ll want to be there a little before 5 for a good seat and get your order in for a great meal.

The band is named “Plow’. Naturally, I asked how they came up with their name. Chris replied, “One night in Wynola, we were playing back in the early days before we had a name.  Our banjo player at the time, founding member David Bandrowski, named the band Plow.  He said, “We’re Plow” and it stuck.  For the full story, come to Wynola :-)”

Let’s pack it out with Palomar music lovers!

Bonnie

On the rim of the world, at the very edge of the of the forest is an oh-so-charming cabin coming up for new owners to enjoy. Presently, Edgewood is a very popular vacation rental. Guests are there now, a little more work will be finished up, then we’ll have new photos for you. Meanwhile, click to peek at the Airbnb listing.

Slip out on the wrap-around deck for a front-row seat watching the clouds drift by and the birds soaring while dinner is finishing up on the grill. When it is time to turn in, there are four bedrooms to choose from plus a ladder to a loft that is a favorite with the kids. Built in 2010 with fine craftsmanship, the owner even included a sound studio. He is a voice over actor you have heard many times on television and radio. What would YOUR plans be for the cabin?

Perched on one acre you have ultimate privacy for year-round living or a weekend getaway. It will be so fun to welcome the new owners, will that be you?

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor to the Stars and Hollywood folks, too!

One double mattress set and one queen. Pick up on Crestline. Long and Lilly 714-851-8243

Such a beautiful Sunday morning view-from-my-desk after this storm!

With a chance of more thunderstorms this week, I have a tip for you, based on experience in the past. Storms often bring power outages like we had a few minutes this morning. It is always best to unplug all appliances including computers, TV’s, refrigerators (12 hours on, 12 hours off) and anything else at risk of frying in thunderstorms.  One time we’d just installed new house phones and they didn’t make it through a storm. Be sure to unplug phone cords, too. Remembering a few years back hearing about the woes of neighbors who had to replace their refrigerator, tv, computers and phones because they were plugged in when lightening struck. 

In Gordon Stewart’s Book, ‘San Diego Back Country 1901′, he writes;   
“Today we would not choose to live as we did; without plumbing and electricity; but a spell without them is worth much. It makes us appreciate what we have”. 
He has a delightful few pages about life on Palomar a hundred plus years ago.  It might be a nice, relaxing option this summer for you.

Bonnie Phelps, enjoying the fresh scent of the welcomed rain…

Good (very early) Morning to you!!!

Wow, what a show! For those of us on the mountain, we’ve all been awake since about 4:16 am. Much-needed pouring rain, then thunder with a lightening bolt that sounded like it could have touched ground close by. I got up to unplug electronics then ran outside to enjoy the show and maybe have photos for you. But, Teresa McCarthy’s turned out a lot better than mine, so I had to share. (Thanks, Teresa!) It was so fun to see the storm move over us then out to the Pacific. You city folks had a an early morning wake-up, too. Oh look, a chance of more on the way!

Bonnie Phelps on weather-watch with you!

It is always so fun to meet folks at the Woodpecker Firewood Stand. Early this morning I saw a car drive up. It brings me a lot of joy to say hello and pitch the fresh eggs we have an abundance of these days. I reminded this camping couple to help themselves to the free kindling. Then he asked with a very desperate look in his eyes if I knew where they could get coffee.

Sure thing! That would be Starstrucks! Our little coffee counter made their morning extra special. They recently moved here from Alaska and live in Temecula where his wife, Laurie is a loan processor. But what does Keith do? He commutes every two weeks to Alaska where he shows up with about 350 to 400 guys a day working as a gold miner! Northern Star Resources has 42 miles of underground tunnels. Last month they mined 1500 troy ounces of gold. So fun to hear about what he does.

And, Northern Star is hiring! Just think, with all these new listings I have coming up, you could make one your very own and maybe even mine for gold in Alaska while living on beautiful Palomar Mountain. That would sure work for Keith and Laurie. Who knows? They just might be our new neighbors someday!

Bonnie Phelps with a touch of gold fever!

Do you recognize the man in the trail camera photos?

Can you help identify him? He might have shaved his beard by now. A neighbor down on East Grade Road has this photo with many others from their trail camera and is looking for help in getting him caught and their stolen items returned. Please also keep your eye out for the following items stolen July 5th from a garage and yard on Palomar Mountain.

Please be on the lookout for this ‘forest service green’ dodge ram, lifted 4×4 with roll bar, 1980’s, License plate: 5K34325. This truck was apparently seen driving between the Will and Dyche Valley by a guy that looked like the guy in the photo above, yesterday, July 6th. It had the motorcycle on the back and was headed downhill. The Sheriffs Office has a case open on this already but the truck may have broken down in the area.

Stolen Red Honda CT110 Motorcycle 1982, license 1X7074:

Stolen dual axle flatbed Ronco trailer, license plate 4MC5259:

Info? Please call the Valley Center Sheriff’s Substation at 760-751-4400

Let’s get this guy off the streets.

Like a fun day trip? Friends are here from out of state so one stop was Julian. This flag greets you as you get into town, then flags line the street. There is a parade today and lots of lunch options and different flavors of pie and cinnamon ice cream available.

Enjoy celebrating Independence Day!

Bonnie in Red, White and Blue