Many of you have seen surveyors out along State Park Road and South Grade. I was curious what project they were working on. Had a nice visit with this surveyor (where did I put his card?!?). He explained that he was identifying all survey pins in the asphalt and using GPS to record precise locations. The plan is to repave the roads over the next couple years. Instead of digging up the old pins to reposition, new pins will be inserted into the fresh asphalt, right over the original pins. Someone was using their thinking cap on this idea! Meanwhile all the road pins are clearly identified for the numerous surveys in progress now.
Bonnie Phelps, Realtor on the Highway to the Stars – old pins, new pins, we like them all!
Its time for some great music from Dutch Bergman, Bruce Druliner and Steve Berry! Who would like to join in the fun and great food at Lazy H? This Wednesday night May 19,2021, 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Order what you’d like from the menu, burgers, fish, steak and yummy desserts. Enjoy listening and singing along to old favorites.
Lazy H Restaurant, Pauma Valley, call to reserve your table 760-742-3669
What is there to do on Palomar Mountain? For those of us who live up here, we often share that our wonderful life on Palomar is a delightful step back in time. There is so much waiting to explore on the mountain and close by. Here is just a quick peek:
General Store – Gifts from around the world, ice cream, s’mores supplies and all things camping.
Mother’s Kitchen Restaurant – Remodeling now to open again soon!
Post Office – One of the smallest post offices in the US. No line to mail a package or buy stamps. Also a lending library, bring a book and leave a book.
BAILEYS RESORT
Ceramic Classes Relax and enjoy learning how to paint ceramics with family and friends. Meet some of the locals learning a new craft in the wonderful old dance hall. Reservations only. Terri 619-244-2242 Book your very fun class now!
‘FIELD TRIPS’ to visit:
Cecelia’s Farm – Delightful farm to visit with eggs, goat cheese, milk, and a loom room with yarn in many colors. So fun for all ages!
Palomar Mountain Woodworks – Bears, snowmen, pumpkins, chainsaw carving, hand crafted furniture, and commissions.
Glenn’s Organic Coffee – Organic coffee from around the world, mountain roasted and available as beans or freshly ground for your sipping pleasure.
Lake Henshaw Resort and Cafe – Fishing, boat rentals, camping and great restaurant 22 minutes from the top of the mountain
Water Park – 20 minutes down the road at La Jolla Reservation
Christian Conference Center – Sign your kids up for Adventure Camp, Horse Camp, Science Camp or retreats for Scouts, Trail Life, Peace Officers Associations, Church Group or School.
Explore the Stars – Monthly, April through October at Observatory Campground. Visitors welcomed.
Flowers of the Mountain – Daffodils, tulips, dogwoods plus delightful wildflowers to discover all along the the way.
Forest Fire Lookouts – Boucher Lookout is staffed May – Oct in the State Park. Take the stairs to the top and go out on the cat-walk with a tour by the volunteers. Amazing Views! It’s Free!
Nate Harrison – Born a Slave, died a Pioneer. Hours of reading and archeology digs to observe occasionally.
Nate Harrison Grade – 9 miles of adventure from the State Park all the way down to Hwy 76.
Observatory – Visit the largest Observatory in the World for 45 years. Weekend Guided Tours for $5.00 per person book ahead and bring a jacket – even on warm days – it’s cold in there for the mirror!
Observatory Trail Moderate hike. 4.4 miles round trip with beautiful views
Palomar Mountain News – Scroll the archives as there might be a concert or fun event to get in on. Simply subscribe for all the news of our favorite mountain right to your inbox.
Palomar Mountain Park – Go up Crestline Road to Mile Marker 4, turn left. Open 9:30 to 7:00 day use.
Snow Info and Pix – Chains usually required and mid-week is best. Be sure to see all the photo links.
State Park Trails – In addition to the trails shown on the link, another easy trail to take is by parking just before the large Palomar Mountain State Park sign, in the parking area to your right. Directly across from the sign is an almost hidden entrance to the easy trail that takes you along the rim, about a mile and a half, for fabulous off mountain views. Pack a picnic lunch as it ends in the Silvercrest picnic area where you’ll also find bathrooms. Be sure to walk to the area off to your left. It burned in a fire years ago so find the little trails in and discover hundreds of Indian grinding holes. Be sure to have your camera!
Vacation Rentals – Book your favorite for your next escape on Palomar Mountain!
Water Park – Cool off just 20 minutes down the road at newly remodeled La Jolla Water Park
Wildlife – Animals and birds you may encounter out and about.
RESTAURANTS CLOSE BY
Lake Henshaw Cafe – Great breakfasts, ribs, burgers, pizza, Mexican food, best fries and onion rings. Twenty two minutes from the top of the mountain. (760) 782-9180
Lazy H Ranch – Steak, seafood, burgers. 25 minutes down the South Grade. Call for hours (760) 742-3669
Jilberto’s Mexican Food at the Round-About at the South Grade and Hwy 78. (760) 742-1896
Agrusa’s Restaurant at the Travel Center and Gas Station at Rincon Casino – Sandwiches, Banana Bowls and Ice Cream Sandwiches. (So yummy!)
Boar’s Head Deli in the Rincon Market – Fabulous sandwiches 34323 Valley Center Rd, Valley Center, CA
The mountain locals cheered when Rincon Market recently opened for many essentials. 30 minutes away. Great produce, deli, sparkling clean. Major markets are in Escondido or Temecula and an hour one way.
JULIAN and SANTA YSABEL
Julian – Many restaurants and so much to see and do in the historic town of Julian
It was so fun to have Peter and Kathy Bruggeman come up. Years ago they owned a cabin up here. Peter started a website posting and archiving wonderful books, stories, photos with history of the mountain. When they sold their cabin, he continued to source out and preserve as much as he can find and have it there for us to enjoy, too.
Curt and Barb Waite dropped of a big box of some gems that date back to the late 1950s. It was from her folks, Chuck and Katie Beishline. They were a part of the Palomar Mountain Club. From what I could see just peeking at a few things on top, I knew Peter would have fun with this.
The very last thing to move from a property that just sold was a car. It had been there a while and it was thought that it just needed a new battery and fuel. That wasn’t quite enough.
The next day a mechanic showed up. One look under the hood and he discovered it had been a mouse hotel. Time to call Triple A. The first driver was a little late, finally arriving at 10:15 pm. He wasn’t too enamored with it being so dark up here. (That’s what happens at that time of night.) He went home as fast as he could.
The second guy came the next day and wasn’t comfortable with it being on a dirt road. He asked to have it towed to the paved road. Since we know this John Deere tractor driver, we were going to see what we could do about that request. Meanwhile he said he had other calls to take “in the area” so he left!
Escrow had CLOSED, the new owners were very patient, thankfully, the third time was a charm!
S&S Towing to the rescue. They are out of Temecula. Blaine made it look so easy. He had that car connected and was heading down the mountain in just a few minutes. He likes dirt roads. He likes the back country and was a pleasure to deal with. When you need towing service for Palomar day or night, he is your guy 951-234-4004.
Jamie Anderson has advanced our horse program over the past 7 years and our staff has done an amazing job caring for them. However, sometimes we have to say farewell to some of our horse friends over time and we need new ones to love. Please help us continue to bless our girl’s horse camp each summer as well as horse trails for our guest groups during the rest of the year. Palomar Christian Conference Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit so your donation is completely tax deductible.
Please contact Jamie if you would like to help us with a horse donation! (760)742-3400 ext. 204 or Jamie@palomar.camp
Ohmygoodness!!! The For Sale sign just went up at the top of the mountain and the charming ‘Little Red Cabin in the Woods’ brought up the nicest folks. I got meet lots of people who are yearning for our lifestyle on beautiful Palomar Mountain. This one new listing created my busiest week ever with about 20 showings in the past few days. Now multiple offers are being reviewed and still more showings at this charming cabin!
Some clients had seen property with me in the past. Some were looking for a little more elbow room. On my promised tours, I also drove them by a cabin on 4 acres where the painter just finished up. 3 offers for that one, too. It wasn’t quite ready for the MLS but the seller just couldn’t refuse one of the offers, so we just opened escrow.
Thinking of selling?!?
Let’s get your questions answered. The buyers are waiting!
Would you like to take off on a little adventure to see the best view in the county? Pack a picnic and visit Palomar Mountain State Park. So many miles of trails to explore! One of the highlights is visiting Boucher Fire Lookout with the spectacular views across the San Diego County. It is extra special when staffed by volunteers up there looking for smokes. At this time visitors aren’t able to go up volunteers might be available to answer a couple questions from the catwalk, while watching for smokes. Staffed daily from May 1st to December 1st.
One of the many hats Ernie Cowan wears is that of a photographer. Thanks Ernie for these great shots! The Milky Way is amazing!
From: Ernie Cowan
Beginning the first of the month, Boucher Hill and High Point Fire Lookouts are now manned by volunteers with the Forest Fire Lookout Association.
This will be the third season working the towers for Kati and me. We love it. Gives us time in the outdoors, but also is a great public service.
FFLA works with the U.S. Forest Service and the trained volunteers are the eyes in the sky looking for the first smoke and calling that information into dispatch so fire crews can quickly respond.
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.
Palomar Mountain News 