Palomar Mountain News

Get your hiking boots on!!!  Come on out and hike the Boucher Loop on New Years Day! See note below from the State Park inviting all to meet up for a fun, first day of the new century hike!

From: Palomar Mountain State Park
January 1st marks the beginning of a new decade. Start it off with a hike in one of America’s State Parks!
We are participating in the #FirstDayHike in 2020 with a hike on Boucher Loop Road starting at 10:00 AM. Meet at the Silvercrest Picnic Area. The hike will be 1.7 miles and will also be dog friendly! Pack a coat and some binoculars to take advantage of the stellar views at the lookout.

Come one, come all to Palomar Mountain’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

This cast of sweet mountain children has made it through the crazy weather, flu bugs, rehearsals outside in the cold, and even their show being postponed because of the Thanksgiving snow! Now it’s ‘Tech Week!  Kids are reviewing their lines, moms are shuttling them back and forth for dress rehearsals, props and costumes have the finishing touches.  The show will be better than ever and they are so excited to perform for you!

This Saturday night, December 21st  Doors open at 6:00 and the curtain goes up at 6:30.

Location: Palomar Mountain Christian Conference Center

Directions: From Mother’s Kitchen and the Store, take State Park Road, past the State Park Kiosk, turn at the next right and follow the signs.  You’ll turn at the second left, which is the main road to the camp.  It will end in a large parking area.  Then you’ll walk down to the chapel for the show.

Tickets are available at the door with a suggested donation of $5.00 a person or $20.00 per family

Do you have an auction item to donate?  Please let us know or bring it to the show.

Show attendees will have the opportunity at intermission to send ‘Stargrams’ to the cast.

The weatherman must know we have a play to go to!!!  Clear sky so far through Saturday night with a tease of Snow starting Sunday.   The show must go on and we hope to see YOU there!

Merry Christmas from the cast of Palomar Mountain Kids Theater Club

With all the full-timers moving to Palomar, several folks are looking to go in on a dumpster.  Just let me know who has extra room and I’ll spread the word.

Thank you,

Bonnie

The snow is mostly melted now so it is extra easy to show property on this very beautiful, sunny day!  Come on up!  I have one mid-day appt already and room for a couple more!

This adorable snowman greeted us at Mountain Music a few days ago. The owners just added new bedroom, sleep-in drapes with pinecone theamed lamps.  Such a wonderful ambiance looking out under that decades-old majestic oak!  Come see for yourself!

Happy A Frame in the Woods has several folks heading up over the next couple days. But, it can only have one buyer… will that be YOU?

Cozy Cedar Cabin just had that big price reduction!  What would your plans be for all that usable land?

Those 27 acres on Highway to the Stars are waiting for you, too!  For those of you on Facebook, I just posted an album with 52 four-season photos, including some taken on two of our recent snow days.

Grandpa’s Cabin is in escrow with new buyers being very patient as we finalize an easement offered by a kind neighbor. Meanwhile, the seller sings with the San Diego Choral and shared this wonderful Christmas Music link for all of you who enjoy Classical music, 24/7, commercial free).

My mid-day appointment have us heading out to the four acres of privacy with the charming Falling Cedar Cabin.  He is interested in a big dose of privacy! Many of you have told me the same thing….  going, going…. who will it be?!

With the snow almost melted, the fall colors are so vibrant and everything is so fresh and delightful!  Let’s go outside!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Four fun options this month to hear Palomar’s own Smith Mountain Boys:

From: Denise <smithmountainboys@gmail.com>
December 2019 Music Dates & Locations

Friday, December 13, 2019 6 pm – 9 pm
Wynola Pizza & Bistro
Santa Ysabel, CA (Julian)
760-765-1004

Saturday, December 14, 2019 5 pm – 8:00pm
Rams Hill Golf Club (open to the public)
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-3500

Saturday, December 29, 2019 5 pm – 7:30 pm
American Legion Post 853 (open to the public)
AL Rider’s Famous “Cook your own Steak Night”
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-4001

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 7 pm – 9:30 pm
American Legion Post 853 (open to the public)
NEW YEAR’S EVE at the Legion
Borrego Springs, CA
760-767-4001
We hope you can come out and enjoy the music!!!

Meet Heidi Phelps, director of The Best Christmas Pageant, Ever.  (She is also our daughter-in-law and mom that cute youngest grandson, Atticus).

Heidi had done an amazing job with this play!  After the all these rehearsals, the 18 or so mountain kids have all their lines down and are ready to perform with fun costumes, props and sets.  But, the snow is a little too much for everyone to safely get to the play.

FROM: Heidi Phelps

NEW SHOW DATE!!!!! The Christmas Play has been moved to December 21, 2019, 6:30pm. Stay home and enjoy the beauty of this storm, and we hope the weather cooperates for  the 21st!!!!!

Christian Conference Center Chapel, Palomar Mountain.

Tickets will be available at the door.  For those of you who bought tickets, if the 21st doesn’t work for you, or doesn’t work out (more snow!), we are glad to refund your money.

Thanks, All!

Heidi Phelps

CHAINS REQUIRED If you aren’t a resident or property owner up here, you must have chains to come to Palomar today.  CHP has a road block at the bottom of the grade (no snow there).  Everyone will be turned away if you don’t have chains.  Even if you have a 4WDrive, if you are not a resident, you won’t be able to get up to snow.  So sorry.

RESIDENTS and PROPERTY OWNERS need to show a drivers license or copy of their tax bill or utility bill to prove residency.  Employees would need a copy of a pay stub or other proof of employment.  No exceptions.

VACATION RENTAL GUESTS need to show their rental confirmation and must have chains.

MIDWEEK is always best to visit snow on Palomar.  4 wheel drives are always the smartest (maybe rent one?) and you’ll need chains.  Real chains are way better than the bungie cord chains.  The road to the Observatory is always closed now to non residents on snow days.  We have very little parking.  Thank you for your understanding.  To see snow this weekend, you might try Big Bear or Idyllwild.

HOW MUCH SNOW ON PALOMAR?  We have 10 inches on our patio table and it is to snow throughout the day.  The three county snowplows run 24 hours but roads are not safe without 4WDrives and chains.

Please visit Snow Tips for lots more info.

The cars parked in front of the Lodge are prepared for whatever comes our way.  Facing out, windshield wipers up and I saw some chains on. They are prepared.

If you are planning to come up and there is snow on the ground, the CHP will have a check-point at the bottom of the grades.

Do you own property up here?  Please be prepared to show your drivers license with your Palomar address, a copy of your tax or utility bill for proof of residency.   You might just keep a copy in the glove box of all vehicles.  Makes it real simple.

Vacation Rental folks will need to show their confirmation of their stay.  If travelers don’t have a 4WD, some guests have rented one.  They will usually need to at least show chains, if not asked to put them on.

Especially on holiday snow weekends, the traffic up here and lack of parking can be pretty crazy.  Friends and family should be prepared to show a text or email from you with your address.

Four wheel drive vehicles with good snow tires are always best.

Chains are usually required.

Be sure to have a shovel with you, windshield ice scraper,  and maybe a little comfort tote with water, snacks and whatever you might need if delayed with the traffic situation.  Kitty litter comes in handy in some situations where you might get stuck. I’ve also used my car floor mats… Click for important Snow Tips.

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday and everyone stay safe out there!

Bonnie Phelps-by-the-fire