Palomar Mountain News

We only really have a handful of hot days on this beautiful mountain. But, when it is hot, it’s HOT.  After living on Palomar 21 years, we finally got a  mini-split with AC in our little apartment above the garage.

Two other companies that have installed up here gave bids.  They both did excellent work and owners are very pleased.  However, they were both so busy through the summer.  This is when you need it!  I found Mike on FB Marketplace and he came up a few days later.  After installation, I got a call from someone he gave a bid to in San Diego.  The man asked if were pleased. He said he was skeptical because Mike’s price was $3000 to $5000 lower than two other bids he’d had.  YES, we are nice and cool and very pleased.

Mike gave his license number and said they are insured.  858-220-0871

He also installs Central AC and heating systems, in addition to the mini-splits.

Here’s the disclaimer: We have no tie to the above and cannot guarantee the product, service or satisfaction. Yes, we were pleased with his work but you are on your own.
Bonnie Phelps and Family

In the middle of the heavy rains, we discovered two leaks in our roof.  We put some quick band aids up and had several companies gave us a bid.  However, as soon as it warmed up and nice weather arrived, they said they were booked way out in advance.  Knowing we could have summer thunderstorms, we were searching for other options. One of my clients had a roof installed at his new home in RB.  He was pleased with the work and passed on the name.

Apolinar “Pollie” Varona and his brother arrived and went to work.  He is willing to come to Palomar and they made it happen!  So nice to have on the job and we are so pleased with the results. His price also came in lower than other bids. Pollie and crew finished a Crestline cabin a couple weeks ago and will be back to do another mid month.

Here is a tip:  Don’t be tempted to just add a layer over what you have on the roof now.  I couldn’t believe the wood damage under our composition shingles in some areas; around the fireplace, in the valleys where we had some leaking and under the satellite and internet dishes (they are mounted differently now).  Pollie and crew does it all, so repairs happened without any delays.

Call or Text:  Pollie Varona 760-519-0697

Here’s the disclaimer: We have no tie to the above and cannot guarantee the product, service or satisfaction. Yes, we were pleased with his work but you are on your own.
Bonnie Phelps and Family

A few months ago, I met a painter working on a home up here.  I saw he was doing a great job.  He said he had been painting for over 30 years.  Another cabin needed his services so Humberto waved his magic wand.  Our place needed painting (several years ago!).  After all the rains stopped, his next mountain job was here. Humberto did excellent work.  He was here every day until complete, as he only does one job at a time.  Every inch of our exterior had great prep work, hidden wood rot repaired, and an excellent finish to really last through four seasons of strong winds and weather.  He is very professional and a pleasure to have on the property.  I’m going to miss him!

Right now he is finishing up another cabin transformation on Crestline.  If you would like him to pop by your place for an estimate, just call or text:

Humberto Martinez 760-419-0197

Here’s the disclaimer: We have no tie to the above and cannot guarantee the product, service or satisfaction.  Yes, we were pleased with his work but you are on your own. 

Bonnie Phelps and Family

All that wonderful spring rain really brought up a lot of thistles this year!  They are everywhere!  If you try to pick the pretty purple flower or happen to brush against the leaves, you will be pretty miserable.

Some areas it is against the law to have these thistles growing on your property.  Good news.  It is easy to get rid of them.  Use a shovel to lift the tap root out of the ground.  You can safely touch the root and put the plant in the trash or burn it in a campfire.  You’ll want to remove them as soon as possible.  If they go to seed, next year, they will really multiply.  Click for more info and Happy Shoveling!

New neighbors, Bill and Vicki have this furniture that they would like to find a new home for.  Would that be with YOU?

They will be at the cabin through noon tomorrow.

Directions:  Go to the end of Crestline, turn left.  Turn right on the next road,  Marker 30.  Their cabin is the second on the left.

You are welcome to pop by and snag what ever makes you happy.  Take the sofa, chair, ottoman or all three and they will really cheer!  After noon-ish, you can reach them on their cell phone at 760-445-8587.

Here is their charming cabin Be the first to pop in and say ‘howdy’ and you’ll win the free furniture!

Several years ago Bill and Vicki Steyn had their first tour of Palomar. They would come back every once in a while to see the lasted offerings.  When I posted Rusty Spurs Retreat as a ‘Coming Soon’, I thought of them.  A very quick buyer came the very next day from out of state, but after a couple weeks and some medical issues, that didn’t work out.  I remembered Vicky was a Facebook friend and sent her a link to the photos.  I just knew they’d love it!

You see, they’d recently sold their home in the country.  It was on 5 acres in the foothills of Tollhouse, up near Merced.  They have a condo in Oceanside by family, but it is at sea level, of all things!!!  Bill was missing his shop!!!  The basement is so perfect.  Vicky loves the cabin all on one level and Bill has great plans to get back to woodworking after checking off a list of projects for the cabin.

Our newest New Neighbors celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary in November. They have a son and a daughter and now 5 grandkids make life extra special.  Vicki retired from nursing as a very gifted hospice nurse.  Bill invested many years at Point Magoo working for the Federal Government in electronics warfare.  He also worked as a property inspector and their new mountain getaway gets an A+!

Lake Henshaw Café has server/waitressing positions available.

Please call Greg at 760-782-9180.

Please click for more info about Lake Henshaw Café.

How did Marty and Jasmin come to fall in love with Palomar enough to have two properties up here?

Raised in Canada and missing the beautiful views, Jasmin looked forward to escaping her crazy-busy and very stressful schedule as the charge nurse at Sharp Hospital.  On her days off, she would get in her car and drive to the back country.  She explored all over the county to take in the scenery with tall trees and abundance of nature.

Meanwhile, very busy Dr. Fineman had a nice nurse assisting occasionally but she really didn’t catch his eye until a costume party one Halloween.  Jasmin was dressed up as a cute little black cat and he couldn’t resist.  The fell in love, were married and had a goal to have a weekend escape on their favorite mountain that Jasmine had introduced  Marty  to when they were dating.

Ten years ago this weekend, Marty and Jasmin purchased their home on Palomar.  As weekenders, they have spent every chance they get enjoying their private forest and lovely, secluded home.  Now they are celebrating with another beautiful property, just 20 minutes across the mountain.  It is an unpainted canvas with open meadows, framed with gorgeous trees and magnificent views across Warner’s Valley to Lake Henshaw, the Pacific and the Observatory.  The perfect setting to take in the invigorating mountain air, relax, refresh and dream of building their retirement dream home… and then finish their weekend off at their home-in-the-woods.  Ah, life is grand!   

“When thunder roars, go indoors!”  Well. I like to add “and unplug what you’d like to keep!”

The weather report is showing a chance of storms all week.  I love any changes with weather but lightening can be a challenge.  We have stories about lightening strikes taking out appliances, computers, phones and more.  Here are some tips for you new folks and a reminder for the rest of you about taking precautions during this kind of weather.

Hoping for some refreshing rain,

Bonnie Phelps

Campers have been enjoying the great outdoors since 1951 at what is now Palomar Christian Conference Center.  The camp encompasses 320, beautiful, forested acres on the west side of the State Park. This is the first summer that they have branched out and are leasing the Doane Valley School Campground, too.

Just saw this article in the Valley Center Road Runner about Camp Beyond the Scars. It looks like a wonderful program coming up this next week.

For more info about the many different camps and group opportunities available here on Palomar, please visit Palomar Christian Conference Center.  I see quite a few of our mountain kids in the photos for Horse Camp or Adventure, Science, Base or Leadership Camps.  They have another great camping experience called “Unplugged”.  Check it out!

Glancing through the schedule, I see there are some dates still available.

Happy Summer Everyone!

Bonnie Phelps