Palomar Mountain News

Steve and Marcia Stults just closed escrow on land next door to their cabin they have owned since 1987.

Good friends had a cabin at Lake Arrowhead and Steve and Marcia wanted the same for their family. Marcia remembers a very special week at 6th grade camp in Doane Valley. They’d enjoyed the mountain over the years and it was so close to their home in Carlsbad. They especially enjoyed those magical times driving up through the clouds to a burst of sun and a beautiful mountain top.

One day they came up see a little cabin advertised for sale. They drove around and around and couldn’t even find it. (Later they figured it out to be the little gem I’ve sold a few times named Listen to the Music that was priced at $30,000 – those were the days!) On their drive, they saw a small for sale sign in a window. A neighbor, Grace Leibold, showed them in. This cabin was just perfect for them and their little girls.

It was so nice meeting the owners! Joe and Carmelita Coulombe told the story of their son. They paid for his education at Stanford University, and what did he do? Started a corner grocery store and named it Trader Joes! Such fun people! They left the cabin furnished including lots of books. The books dated back to the 1800’s and through the 1920’s and 1930s. Sifting through the interesting library, they found yellowed newspaper clippings, telling of some of the business successes of their son.

Marcia thought these findings might have been overlooked and could be meaningful. She carefully packaged everything up in a shirt box and mailed it off. Joe and Carmelita were thrilled. They invited the Stultz family to their charming home in San Diego. Marcia fondly remembers the visit, seeing their vegetable garden and coming home with fresh produce. Joe and Carmelita’s cabin sign is still on the tree out back:

No one has ever complained about owning the land next door. When the seller of this adjoining lot called recently, it didn’t take long to realize the land needed to go to a neighbor. The dreams and plans of the past are not able to come to fruition now with newer county requirements. So glad it worked out for Steve and Marcia. They have fond memories over the past 34 years of venturing over to this half acre enjoying the view that is now theirs!

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Jennifer and Robert decided they must have a cabin of their very own. It was so much fun to meet up with Jennifer’s siblings and all the cousins at her dad, Jim’s and Teresa’s cabin. They’ve enjoyed their time up here so much, Robert and Jennifer decided they wanted even more of what Palomar has to offer with hiking, playing games, and time around the campfire. A cabin on Palomar is all about creating wonderful memories. When this little storybook cabin was being staged to go on the market, they found out about it and quickly made it their very own.

Built in 1931, the cabin needed lots of love. No problem! Big trucks rolled up with tools, supplies, family and friends, ready to help. It came with ‘free pets’! As a mouse hotel for a few years, those furry little critters needed to be relocated. Then, they invited the woodpeckers to store their acorns elsewhere, too. Waving their magic wand with many weekends restoring and decorating, they were ready to roll. They block off a weekend or so a month for their family and then enjoy sharing with others who desire time on our beautiful mountain, far away from the stress of the cities.

Since every cabin must have a name, they played with ideas. The cabin is hidden away in the forest where they have also seen birds, squirrels and deer wandering through. So, Woodland Hideaway, it is! Everyone who has stayed at the Hideaway say they absolutely love the cabin and want to come back.

Ah, Palomar is such a special place…

Thank you Robert, Jennifer and family, we’re glad you have joined us up on the Mountain!

Has it really been eight years?!??? Teresa called and brought a friend up to see cabins. I showed them what was available, but nothing was ‘the one’. I did have a fun A-frame coming up. It was over their price range but she fell in love!!! Went home to San Marcos, brought Jim back up the very same day and they made sure no one else was going to get ‘their cabin’!

With six kids and 21 grandkids, they wanted a place to celebrate family holidays. They were up about every three weeks and we were always invited to join the family for dinner. I mean, what’s two more people? And the food? Ah!!! Always fabulous!

One night we were finishing up another delicious dinner, the gals were in the kitchen, the kids were everywhere, tents were up outside, a couple RV’s in the driveway and a few extra dogs. I looked around with the campfire and s’mores calling and said, “How do you ever sleep with all this excitement?” Teresa replied, “we don’t”. I offered our guest apartment. She ran up the stairs, got their jammies and toothbrushes and we all said good night.

Since they were up only a weekend or two a month, I suggested that they might offer the cabin as a vacation rental… so they did. The Spotted Owl became a much-loved getaway for many folks longing to escape the city and enjoy this beautiful mountain.

Soon after, a short sale was on the market. The view was irresistible so Jim and Teresa retired and moved up full time into a total fixer. Jim can do anything well and Teresa is the decorator extraordinaire. The Grey Fox is so delightful to visit to see their amazing progress. (Those two kids are busier than ever being retired and loving every minute!)

But that’s not all! Jim and Teresa arrived for dinner one evening and as they were getting out of the car, I ran out and kidnapped her as I needed to drop something off on Crestline. She climbed in. Along the way she asked about one of my signs, wondering which cabin was for sale?

I stepped on the brakes and said, “Oh Teresa, that’s “The Definition of Cute”. You should buy it! It would make another great rental! And they did! Her maiden name is Partridge and it became The Partridge Nest. Soooo adorable!

Well, now those kids of theirs see their folks having so much fun on Palomar and want to be like mom and dad with their own cabins. Last summer Teresa saw me with some workers, staging a cabin real close to the Owl. Before we even had it ready to roll, Jennifer and Robert and their three kids, made it their own. When the rest of the family showed up, this cabin idea really caught on.

Now Jimmy and Crystal just closed escrow on another fun forest fixer and have weekends planned with memories to treasure for their 5 kids, cousins and friends looking forward to their next mountain visit.

Of course, one big attraction is having Jim and Teresa just up the road offering to help. Jim’s new toy this year was a snow plow for his truck so that helped out neighbors along the way. Now having three cabins to clean between guests, locals benefit with housekeeping jobs on the mountain, too!

When you have extra friends or family heading our way be sure to check out:

The Spotted Owl

The Partridge Nest

Woodland Hideaway

A big welcome to all the McCarthy family!

Very cool pix of some findings at Nate Harrison’s Homestead. Click to see and read all about it. Thanks Tom Burton for sending our way!

From: Cecelia Borland

IT’S DUMPSTER TIME!!
PALOMAR MOUNTAIN FIRE SAFE COUNCIL WILL
BE OFFERING LARGE DUMPSTERS AGAIN THIS
YEAR FOR COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
April 3rd and 4th at the Fire Station
Open 8 to noon Saturday (and Sunday, space permitting)
2 pickups full per household until noon Saturday,
then all you want.
NO TIRES, PAINT, HAZMAT, ELECTRONICS,
CHEMICALS, or LARGE APPLIANCES
DONATIONS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Come early; bring your combustibles, trash, small
appliances, and other rubbish that litters your yards.
We don’t know how long this grant offering will last so
“make hay while sun shines”

Do you have clothing that could be appreciated by someone else? Palomar has a ‘clothing angel’ that is gathering gently used clothing to drop off at a charity in Vista.

We are also a collection point that might be easy for this side of the mountain. When you have bags or boxes of clothing to give away, you are welcome to drop it here and I’ll make sure Jullian has it for her next trip down. Take State Park Road to the Kids Firewood Stand and leave your bags on our patio. What a great project! Thank you All!

From: Jillian Milam

Looking for clothing donations – all sizes

How many of you are planning to clean out your closets and dressers for Spring? How many of you NEED to do some Spring Cleaning? I am looking for clothing donations.

In particular, I am gathering items that could be used for interviewing or everyday work wear. They will be given to a non-profit in Vista called Solutions for Change. Please click the link to learn more about the organization.

People enroll in the program to go through classes, preparing to find a job. These individuals have overcome addiction and homelessness and are learning to be valuable members in society. Many enter the programs with no or limited personal items. They have been reliant on donations that come into the center.

All of the individuals are also parents. So, clothing for men, women and children are all appreciated.

What might you have that you could donate? I would be happy to come pick them up or meet you at the General Store to get the items from you. Thank you all in advance for your thoughtfulness, generosity and for sharing this post with others.

Jillian Milam

Jullian is also our ‘Mountain Photographer’ so may be reached through her website.

A fulltime maintenance position, with benefits, is available at the world-famous Palomar Observatory. Does that sound intriguing to you? Or, who do you know you could forward this to?

Click for all the details.

Have you changed your clocks? When I saw Nathan’s action shot of his niece, Sunshine, ‘springing forward’, I knew I had the perfect motivation for you. Lets all spring forward and get to where we’re going on time.

Bonnie Phelps looking forward to those first Daffodils!

We do have some beautiful snow. A couple weeks ago we were coming home from church. We stopped for a grab and go to eat lunch on the mountain with friends following us up. From the Pauma Valley round-about it usually takes about 25 minutes. We got home in an hour and 15 minutes. We got a little hungry so ate along the way.

If you want to enjoy our snow, mid-week is always best but CHP may still require them in your car. You don’t always need to put them on, but might need to show them. Real chains are always best. Those bungie cords don’t do much of anything.

CHP needs to limit the cars on the mountain since we have so few options for parking. The weatherman shows our storm will be over by Tuesday, This week you shouldn’t have traffic delays, plus more options for parking.

Please be considerate of the locals as so much of Palomar is Private Property. Ah, yes, owing on Palomar is a dream of many. When the timing is right for you, we do just happen to have a plowed driveway for you to park, my listings have a plowed parking space for us and I’m always glad to bundle up, provide the coffee and hot chocolate and take you on a tour!

Bonnie Phelps, Four Season Realtor

We didn’t have as much snow as promised but I think there are quite a few of you might need plowing. Jeremy Dyson has been busy plowing and I spoke to Ron Bowen on the phone. Ron said she told some of you he is off-mountain, but changed his mind so is on his way to plow. His first job tomorrow is plowing from Crestline out to the last cabin past Borland’s on Birch Hill, so everyone between will benefit. If you have a driveway along the way that you would like to have cleared, be sure to let him know. Ron did ask me to let you know that he doesn’t invoice and it is ‘cash at time of service’ please. Guessing that very busy, Jeremy would be very content with cash, too.

Call or text the Snow Plow Guys:

Ron Bowen cell 619 206-3347 or at the cabin 760-742-2468

Jeremy Dyson voice or text 760-300-0345

Thanks also to some of friendly neighbors with plows that have helped out along the way!   

Bonnie Phelps