Palomar Mountain News

Palomar’s own, Smith Mountain Boys have a fun May Concert schedule for us!

Starting Friday Night 5 to 8 (that would be TOMORROW!), YOU are invited to meet up at Wynola Pizza for ribs, salads, wings and lots of other options with GREAT music by Dutch Bergman and Bruce Druliner. Dutch’s family goes back about six generation in these here parts. Bruce’s family has been on the mountain only about 80 years.

A very fun, outside venue is waiting for us Friday night – could be chilly so bring your jacket.

And, drum roll, in addition to their great options down in Borrego Springs, the Lazy H booked The Boys for Wednesday night the 19th. Ohmygoodness! Jack said you’d be much happier to have a reservation so you don’t get turned away as last time it sold out!!! You can email Jack at info@lazyh.com or call in 760-742-3669.

Who wants to carpool? Let’s connect… meanwhile, let’s get to foot tappin’!

Here s the schedule from Denise along with info on their new CD! Betcha they would autograph at the events!

May 2021 Gigs

1. Friday, May 7, 2021 –  5 – 8pm 
Wynola Pizza and Bistro
Julian, CA
760-765-1004

2. Wednesday Night, May 19, 2021 5 to 8pm

Lazy H Restaurant, Pauma Valley

Call to Reserve your table 760-742-3669

3. Saturday, May 22, 2021  – 4:30 – 7:30pm
American Legion, Post 853  (ALR Steak Night)
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-4001         

4. Monday, May 31, 2021  – Noon – 2 pm
American Legion, Post 853
Memorial Day Hot Dog/Hamburger Celebration  
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-4001


CD update:

After a year in production, The Smith Mountain Boys have completed their first album, Cover Stories.  Twelve of your favorite cover songs have been professionally mixed and recorded on CD’s. We will have the CD’s available at each gig for purchase or via our website, www.smithmountainboys.com. 

Keep an eye out for a Toyota car parked along one of the grades and Hwy 76. Several fires have been started along the roads apparently by someone that might be driving a Toyota car. Sam Taylor called asking that folks keep an eye out. Have your camera handy to hopefully get a photo of the license plate.

About 10 days ago, I was going down the East Grade and came across a van parked near the bottom. This guy also had a pretty big “warming fire” going right along side the road with quite a big stack of sticks and brush he’d collected, right next to the fire. Driving past the van, I got a few good pix including his license plate and called 911. On my way back up, about 30 minutes later, I passed our Cal Fire crew and law enforcement mopping up. Thanks All!

Apparently this is newest fire-setter is someone different. We all travel these roads so much, it would be great to catch him and put a stop to this.

Bonnie Phelps

Check out the before and after!!! Wish I had a photo before the new flooring and paint went in!!! The kitchen was canary yellow and the flooring was down to the slab from 70 years ago. This wall between the kitchen and living room just had to be opened up!!! Palomar didn’t have power until a few years after this cabin was built. So, these older cabins didn’t have a space planed for a big refrigerator. Now there are two oh-so-convenient under-counter refrigerator/freezers and a brand new stove. It is so inviting to see through to the big picture window and be a part of what is happening in the living room. And look! The daffodils just bloomed outside the kitchen window!

New windows, flooring, appliances, lighting, freshly painted on a half acre that is pretty usable. Maybe a tiny house? Two bedrooms and one bath, plus a pull-down ladder to the attic where you can stand up. What would YOU do with that space? Come up and join us full time or escape to your mountain getaway. $365,000

Would you be getting a loan?  Simply call Adam Denton 619-301-8797 cell.  He has some amazing products available. 1st time home buyers would be 3% down for a conventional loan. Otherwise it is 5% down for a primary residence and 10% for 2nd home loan programs, FHA is 3.5% and VA 0% down both for primary residence.   In 10 minutes you can find out where you are comfortable financially. Amazing loan options available these days!!!

This charming cabin should be on the MLS tomorrow so you’ll have lots more photos and I’m always glad to open the doors.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

So excited to meet our next new neighbors!

The rattlers are just waking up from their long winter’s nap. Thanks to a Palomar Mountain East Grade neighbor, Frank McCarthy for the photo and video.

High on Kennels in Santa Ysabel offers training classes for your dogs to be aware and hopefully avoid rattle snake situations for you and your family. You can take your dog to one of their classes or perhaps we’ll have a class up here. I’ll let you know. Click for Rattle Snake Aversion Training.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Just hoping to avoid meeting up with these guys this year!

Those woodpeckers have really been busy! Two SDG&E guys stopped by yesterday to let me know I’d have a different view from my desk today. SDG&E has replaced poles on Crestline and Birch Hill and now it is our turn on State Park Road. This pole at Fern Meadow Road was apparently the most popular with the local woodpeckers so they started here first. They will be working their way along the road eventually replacing all with steel poles to also be more firesafe.

Bonnie Phelps … so wanting to get up there in one of those buckets!

Up early, I had an arm-load of things to put in my car. I stepped out of our house and the door shut behind me. That is when I locked eyes with this lion walking toward the cat dish. The cowboy had been out a few minutes prior and let ‘Mousetrap’ out of the garage for breakfast. We recently had seven cats, but now down to one. I’m thinking this lion was looking for her last quick breakfast from this litter.

All I’ve learned and practiced for meeting up with a lion, vanished. I knew I should put my arms up and R O A R! Well, everything in my mind went into slow motion. My arms were full. I knew I could drop everything but when I opened my mouth, I just froze. The poor lion wasn’t fazed. After all, it was 7:15 am and I didn’t have my makeup on. That must have been a very scary sight for her to see. She turned and walked through the carport as I was fumbling to get back in the house.

My husband was sitting by the fire and all I could say was ‘LION’. Suddenly, he was young again, running to see the lion walk past the bedroom window, just a few feet away. I stood at my desk while the lion sauntered down the bank on one of the best sled runs on the mountain and past the wood splitter where our four grandkids are often working on their firewood business. You can see the kick balls on the ground where the children had been playing the day before.

She wasn’t in a hurry so I ran out on the patio and took this pic of her walking across the orchard. She calmly took her well-worn path up the bank, carefully crossed the road and was off, for now.

Most of you know our four grandkids live on their ranch next door. They have lost many cats, chickens, and some ducks to the lions. They do have livestock guardian dogs that often bark, much to the dismay of the neighbors. The Sunday before me being face-to-face with the lion, the grandkids had friends visit. Three more little kids joined our four at play right there, inches from where the lion greeted me a couple days later. My husband said something about the children being lion bait as the 6 little kids they went up the trail to the ranch. I sure hope that never comes true and you can bet they won’t be using the trail again anytime soon.

Our oldest stayed behind and I took her home at dusk. As I was letting her out, the dogs were barking. I drove away and there was a lion, casually walking through. Not seeming to be bothered by the barking dogs at all.

Last night our family arrived home to see a lion right next to the horse correl. Heidi, our daughter-in-law said the lion stared them down for about 2 minutes before getting bored and wandering off. No fear, very confident and as Heidi said, their youngest son is about the size of most deer. It is always hard when we loose these animals but loosing any child on this mountain to a lion is unthinkable.

If you’d like to report your experiences, here is the link I was given by Fish and Game: Wildlife Incident Reporting System — Home

Over the years I’ve posted about lions on Palomar Mountain News. Now I could post photos and experiences about once a week. The lion population is rapidly growing. Some of the comments I’ve seen are from city folks seeing lions close by. Yes, population is growing and can be pretty dangerous.

Two of our neighbors have trail cams that often include lions. Here is one from a couple days ago:

Be careful when you open your door!

Bonnie Phelps

Well, that was quick! Humberto is finishing up painting his 9th cabin on Palomar Mountain. I pulled over quick when I saw him a couple years ago at his first property. I walked around a bit and asked him to come paint our house next. He does a wonderful job and is a pleasure to deal with. Two coats on this cabin after a great job prepping are done now and the deck looks fresh and ready for the new owners.

I thought Humberto was going to be a few more days. but just spoke to him and he’ll finish up today. Like to catch him while he is on the mountain or on his way down? Call or text to 760-419-0197.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

At my desk: 760-742-1742

Out and About: 760-533-1742

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Update: Chipper was spoken for immediately. There’s as much as a demand for chippers as there are for cabins, homes, lots and land on Palomar!

Who wants this free chipper? Last owner said it was in working condition, present owner hasn’t tried it. AS IS and free. You can check it out and pick it up over on Crestline. Just let me know.

Just opened 4 new title reports today. I always get title started first thing since we often have short escrows this time of year. Everyone wants to get to their cabin for spring and summer fun! Should have four new cabin listings up for you in a few days, too.

One is a fixer that wins the prize for needing the most fixing EVER! It is not even on it’s own land!!!

Two different, charming cabins, each come with 4 acres of privacy. Another has had some design work and remodeling to open up to take in a delightful view.

A small parcel is coming up and three of these new title reports are for little lots in hopes an adjoining neighbor will scoop them up.

Just as soon as the tree guys, road grading crew, painter, handyman and house cleaners wave their magic wands, we’ll get these available for new neighbors to claim and join us here on the mountain.

Weill keep you posted! Meanwhile, who wants this just-in-time-for-spring-clean-up, chipper?

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-742-1742

It is rare that Palomar property owners call and say “We’d like to sell our place on Palomar”. Most folks don’t really want to sell but there comes a time to let things go. For many decades, the properties on the mountain have been part time, occasional weekend or even summer getaways. Cabins have held so many happy memories.

That is the case with the closing today. The sellers have 16 years of special times at their much-loved cabin. The kids are all grown up now. It has been so fun meeting up with family and friends and seeing them enjoy the cabin, too. All the years of experiencing the Four Seasons at their little piece of paradise, have been so special, so close to their home in San Diego.

The buyers appreciate most things that were available to stay at the cabin, but there were a couple pieces of furniture to re-home. Many thanks to Meg and Jesse for being the first to claim the furniture. Then, two big pickup loads, saved the old deck wood from a land fill and and are waiting for a fun time ’round Will and Doug’s big campfire ring.

All inspections were done, documents are signed, buyers came up for their walk-through, title has reviewed closing paperwork and funds have arrived at escrow. We should have confirmation very soon and the sold sign will be coming down, ready for the next listing.

The first daffodils opened up and it is a new chapter for the buyers and sellers of another cabin on Palomar. The owners are finishing up work in Orange County, packing for the weekend and thrilled to celebrate Good Friday and Easter at their cabin!

Thinking of selling? Many buyers are anxiously waiting to own a piece of paradise on Palomar.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Serving the People of Palomar Mountain for all their Real Estate needs since the last Century

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