Palomar Mountain News

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

Years ago a caretaker was cleaning the goat pen at a ranch on Palomar. He was working in broad daylight, as a lion casually jumped their 7 foot fence. The caretaker had a pitchfork in his hand but before he could even think about using it, that lion had what he wanted, jumped back out with a goat in his mouth and trotted off with a nice little lunch.

About the same time, in 2017, Crestline neighbors woke up to a ruckus in their chicken pen. Doc and Ann had the opportunity to dance around with three lions that weren’t bothered one bit by their 10 foot fence. Click for their story that made the Valley Center Road Runner.

One lovely evening, we were at dinner at Glenn and Cecilia’s (if you are ever invited to sit ’round their table, you MUST go as she is an amazing cook!). I scooped up a delicious bite of her delicacies and a lion caught my eye, gracefully jumping over their fence at the barn. Everyone ran out encouraging him to dine someplace else. By the time he ran off, that lion took off without the two goats he’d readied for supper.

‘Critter Reid’s’ trail cam captured her resident lion recently jumping her 6 foot fence:

So, back to fencing. If you would like to fence to protect animals, it might be a good idea to have a cover on it. If you are thinking of fencing your property line, we’ve had some interesting challenges with that recently. Per the county, to fence your property line, a fence is to be a minimum of 3 inches inside a professionally surveyed line. Also, you want to keep in mind any easements your property might be burdened with as some easements aren’t to have a fence. Any questions? I’m glad to connect you with a pal at the county that responses very quickly via email.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor Ranches, Homes, Cabins, Lots and Land

Would you like to have news of your favorite mountain delivered right to your Inbox? This is the second post in a row with videos of Palomar Critters. You’re invited to check out the archives and simply subscribe on the upper right of the page: Palomar Mountain News | Serving as Palomar Mountain News since 1998  Enjoy!

Settle in for some delightful footage of every kind of critter known to Palomar. Such a refreshing clip of the variety of animals on this beautiful mountain. Thank you East Grader, Catherine ‘Critter Reid’ and her trail cams.

… I agree, those skunks are soooo cute! But, they have been known to delay some listings while property airs out a bit!!! Oh my, I should use this link as a disclosure for all my Real Estate clients. Yes, that will be fun.

Bonnie Phelps Realtor, enjoying all the critters since the last century! : )

Would you like to have news of your favorite mountain delivered right to your Inbox? The last post included many links to virtually ALL printed info on one of our most colorful pioneers, Nate Harrison. You’re invited to scroll to search the archives and simply subscribe on the upper right of the page: Palomar Mountain News | Serving as Palomar Mountain News since 1998 Thank you!