Nate Harrison is really in the news these days! I can’t help but wonder what he would think about folks signing up for a virtual tour of his history and homestead on a Zoom Webinar. I think he’d chuckle and shake his head with a big smile. In just 10 days you have a chance to take a behind the scenes tour of the San Diego exhibit bearing his name. Click to reserve your spot and then sit back in your easy chair for a peek of Palomar History:
Over 100 students have participated in an archeology dig where he lived for many years on what is now called Nate Harrison Grade. Click to see some of what will be included in the Virtual Exhibition of one of our most colorful pioneers on Palomar.
Here is more of Nate from the Palomar Mountain News archives:
Many of you have read Barbara Waite’s first two books from her grandmother’s enchanting journal. Her Grandmother Elsie, first came to Palomar in 1904. Barb’s first book, shares of Elsie’s adventures as a school teacher over 100 years ago and ended on Palomar with us impatiently waiting for her second book. Elise’s Mountain Years finely arrived, complete with wonderful historical photos of days gone by.
The Colour Box was prompted by Curt and Barb’s 30+ years as missionaries in Antigua where the sisters made such an impact on so many lives in the 1700s. March is Women’s History Month and you can be one of the first to read their inspirational story of perseverance and vision.
How about sitting by the fire and getting lost in a wonderful story? You can find all three books on Barb’s new website: www.BarbaraWaiteBooks.com, (Aren’t the beautiful covers amazing!?) However, would you be so kind to order directly from Amazon and leave a much appreciated review? Barb would be glad to autograph for you locals when they are enjoying their land on the mountain, cherished so much by their family – and all of us.
Bonnie Phelps, one of Elsie’s neighbors – 100 years later
If the weatherman is right, we could be looking out to snow about this deep by the end of the week. NOAA is having fun upping their snow predictions. Last night they said a possibility of up to 16 inches, this morning it changed to maybe 19 inches but it just changed again with the possibility of 12 to 27 inches by Friday night. The month of March historically has the most snow fall. This much snow is fun for the kids but is a lot of work for the locals needing to get around.
Our last snow had quite a few cars snowed in for a while. A storm is comin’ so be sure to park off a main road if you need to get out right away, put your wipers up and have a shovel in the trunk to clear the berm.
Do you own a Vacation Rental? Quite a few neighbors have talked to me to encourage owners to plan parking for your travelers, on your own property during snow. We have so many more full-timers now (hooray and welcome to all), so parking next to the main roads is very limited. The last snow had some folks very inconvenienced with roads and driveways blocked by vehicles and pricey tow bills. It is always best if guests have four wheel drive vehicles. We’ve had guests rent through car rental agencies like turo.com and make their holiday even more fun and a lot safer on icy roads. Even with 4WD, they also need chains and understand that driving back in some of these areas could still get them in a tough situation.
Who Plows Snow? The County Road crew does a great job plowing our public roads. Just off the phone with the foreman, James. He said because of covid they are half-staffed so down to 4 people. However, because of the storm coming, he will double his crew to have at least 4 plows running. They work 12 hour shifts so it is pretty taxing. Even though there is a benefit to be parked close to the road, James asked me to pass on his request: “Please park your cars a few feet back off the pavement to give the plows some working room”. They need a place to push the snow and not damage your vehicles. The County Road crew plows the main roads only.
Who plows snow for driveways? Alas, we have only two options for you to have your driveway plowed. Sometimes the timing might not be what you’d like so you’ll want to plan ahead. Be sure to leave a message for these busy guys if they don’t answer live:
Jeremy Dyson voice or text 760-300-0345
Ron Bowen cell 619 206-3347 or at the cabin 760-742-2468
Thinking of having your own Snow Plow? We could use some more snow plow drivers! It could make getting to and from your own property so much easier, perhaps you might welcome the write-off, plus, you could make some extra cash. You can get attachments for the front end of a heavy duty 4WD to attach your plow. Heading down to work? You can also drive with your plow to the city, come back up and plow your way home. If you would like to plow for other folks, your investment might come back to you pretty quick. Glad to connect you with some folks to get questions answered.
Thinking of listing your Home, Cabin, Ranch or Land? That cowboy I’m married to, has plowed parking spots for my listings these past 20+ years. Ah, to be able to park to show property as “There is no business like Snow Business…” I have sooooo many buyers waiting in the wings for their dream to come true. Let’s get your questions answered.
We are so blessed to be on this mountain with all the fun of the Four Seasons. Hope you can enjoy this next Winter Wonderland!
Wouldn’t it have been fun to meet Nate Harrison? A smiling face, greeting travelers coming up the grade, with his fresh spring water. Click to read a little about this friendly neighbor who became a legend from days gone by.
Thank you Jamey for sending the link our way! Some of you might remember Jamey and Hanna Kirby who owned Nate’s homestead, oh, about 15 years ago. We have such great memories ’round their campfire and dinner table. I’ll never forget Jamey on the kitchen floor of their off-grid cabin, carefully watching the broiler until the crème brulee was perfect! Years prior, he was working in France with Microsoft so decided to go to Chef School. We were so glad he did!
Well, I had a heck of a day yesterday. I was working down on the land that is new to me, placing a stake to mark the boundary. My dog, Siggy was up the hill somewhere, when all of a sudden I heard screaming or a screeching sound. Like a big bird was attacking or being attacked by something. I called Siggy thinking she got into it with some kind of raptor, when suddenly two large birds flew right over me, circling overhead. And they continued this screeching, but I had never heard this sound on my land before. Different from a hawk. Then I saw them, two Bald Eagles. Amazing. I didn’t know we had those here. I snapped about five pictures above and through the trees and, luckily, managed to get one of them in flight in only one picture. And since there were two of them, chasing each other around and screeching, there may be a nest on my land. That is extremely rare, with only one found in San Diego County between 1930 and 2005. And only a few found since then.
What a noisy bunch! Lots of gobbling going on so I looked out the window and saw the biggest flock of turkeys ever. I counted 27 but they were moving so fast there might have been even more. In our 26 years of living on Palomar, this is the most I’ve seen at one time. Always so fun!
The clouds rolled in this morning, too. Always ever-changing. Whatever your view, where ever you are, enjoy your Valentine Weekend!
Just got a call back from Ron Bowen. He and Debbie live in the city and have been out of town, I hadn’t seen Ron out and about. But he is up here plowing again to help catch up and get folks opened up.
For those of you who are off-mountain, last week, we had the most snow on the ground in over a decade. We were right at about 15 inches and then on Thursday night the forecast called for two more over night with ‘heavy rain’ on Friday. Well, we got 5 inches over night and a good 10 inches of snow on Friday. So, that made about 30 inches to deal with.
Friends were up and built snow tunnels that were enjoyed by lots more kids for several days. So much sledding fun with that much snow and we ended up with lights on for after-dark fun, too. But, if you are still hoping to drive in or out, you now have have two options for opening up. Be sure to leave a message for these busy guys if they don’t answer live:
Ron Bowen cell 619 206-3347 or at the cabin 760-742-2468
First Place Prize for leaving trash on Palomar goes to the guy who wishes he still had it!!! Over these past 20 + years, I’ve dealt with some interesting trash. Let’s see, there was the queen mattress over the side on State Park Road, a car battery, all the mittens, broken sleds and regular stuff, but this car fender won the prize.
Every time someone calls for a snow report, among other things, I always remind them to come prepared to take their own trash back with them. When I saw this lovely piece of trash I felt sorry for the guy who had planned to take it back, but from the looks of it, it might not have been an option.
I pulled over, put the smaller pieces in my car, thinking I’d wait for the next local to stop and help lift the fender with me. What a surprise! Made out of plastic, I picked it up with one hand. It topped off our dumpster quite nicely.
Yes, to any ‘flatlanders’ wondering, we do still have snow and we do hope you get to take back everything you bring up to our beautiful mountain.
It was new dryer time at Cabin Fever Vacation Rental on Palomar! B&B Appliance in Escondido didn’t let a little bit of snow stop them. They are family owned and have been in business for 52 years. Here is their website and they are just a quick call away.
The driveway was plowed and we were in luck as the current guest offered to shovel the deck!
Thinking of a few days away? You might consider Cabin Fever – a nice, new dryer is waiting for you!
Palomar Mountain has been treated to a beautiful snow. We’re up here on snow alert! About 16 inches fell from our last storms. Yesterday’s forecast had promised more snow then it changed to ‘heavy rain’. But look at the forecast now! Maybe up to 11 more inches by Friday night? Here is another Palomar weather Station. Ohmygoodness! Time will tell which one is the most accurate.
Meanwhile, if you are thinking of coming up for some snow fun, please carefully read through ‘Snow Tips’. In addition, here is the latest scoop:
Four Wheel Drive vehicles are the very best – you might consider renting them. You MUST have chains. CHP may require you install your chains before coming up the grade.
Visiting mid-week has a lot fewer tourists up than on weekends. Arriving very early in the morning is always better than later in the day. We have very limited parking. The County Road crews have been working around the clock and today brought in more equipment and pushed the snow further off the sides of the main roads in anticipation of even more.
The General Store is the ONLY place open up on Palomar. (Please patronize them!) However, Mother’s Kitchen is closed so you’ll want to bring your own lunch. Observatory is closed. State Park has hiking only.
Be sure to plan to take all your trash back with you.
A trash-free mountain would be very nice. We don’t have ‘city employees’ to clean up trash. We don’t even have public trash cans. Clean up is left to the locals that hike around and have picked up way to much trash over the years. Thank you for your help to keep Palomar the special place it is.
Questions? Glad to get them answered. A phone call is usually the quickest.
Bonnie Phelps, Four Season Realtor having lots of fun in the Snow
Palomar Mountain News 