Palomar Mountain News

What a fun call from the granddaughter of a former owner of Cabin Fever!  Phyllis Gabler owned the cabin for 14 years and was also a realtor on Palomar.  I learned a lot from her.  Dawn Sober came all across the country from Florida to stay at the cabin with so many happy memories.  She brought the photo, above, with her grandmother’s writing on the back saying ‘My little Love’. Of course, we had to re-create the photo as close as we could to the same spot on the deck.

It was a pleasure to meet her and her family, including Phyllis’ great grand daughters!

From Dawn:

My grandma, Phyllis Gabler, said she came to Palomar Mountain to find God. She said it was a spiritual mountain. Oh, how I miss her.

When I saw Cabin Fever on Airbnb, I thought, “It couldn’t be!” It was. Phyllis Gabler’s old cabin was now a vacation rental!  I could stay there again!!!  The memories of making fires, bird watching and making jalapeno jelly in the kitchen ran through my mind. Memories as a young girl of 8 playing with my dolls and running through a sprinkler made me smile. She had arrived in heaven just 4 years earlier. Perhaps it would be like seeing her again.

For my first time in 16 years, my two daughters, our childcare worker, husband and I visited in July 2018. I cried all the way up the mountain. It was just as perfect as I’d remembered, maybe even more.

I am now a grown woman. Gone is the 7^th grade year I spent at the local mountain school, only 2 classrooms large. I was one of five 12-year-old children in a class with 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders. It was the nineties, but it was reminiscent of yesteryear’s with one room school houses. Our little school even put on The Grinch for that year’s Christmas play, plus several of us won a poetry contest in the local school district that year. What a joy to have had that experience! I used to love walking through the General Store, dreaming of owning one of the large amethysts that were for sale. How many times had my Grandma and I had pulled up to the post office to say hi to Jennifer and Robin? Too many to recall.

Every day on that mountain was truly spiritual. Looking back in reflection, I now see how my Grandma’s yearning to connect with God led me on my own spiritual path to where I am today.

My husband and I are in in Jewish/Christian relations with Bridges for Peace. We build relationships between Christians and Jews and support Israel through around 25 hands-on humanitarian projects including a feed-a-child program, two food banks and a victims of war program. Our ministry even visits Holocaust survivors on a monthly basis to show Christian love when they only have memories of hate.

A big thank you to Nathan for restoring Grandma’s cabin and for keeping her legacy alive.  It is so heart-warming to know that people from all over the world have a  chance to experience Palomar Mountain and perhaps have their own encounter with God.

* * *

Dawn is the National Field Adviser at Bridges for Peace USA.  Everyday she connects Christians to bless Israel.  Dawn can be reached at dsober@bfpusa.org or follower her on Instagram @DawnSober.  www.bridgesforpeace.com

With Grace and Grit for Zion’s Sake,

About the time I thought we were having an earthquake tonight, I saw a post from the VC Roadrunner.  Camp Pendleton has the Marines out practicing through Friday night.

Home of the Free, because of the Brave.

Thank you United States Marine Corps!

Bonnie Phelps

This is what the smoke on Palomar looked like to Jim and Teresa McCarthy today as they were heading our way from SD.  More smoke tonight and tomorrow is being well cared for by Tim and crew and more.

Thanks for doing what you can to make our mountain more fire safe!

Birch Hill Rx Burning

Well as we anticipated the burning was slow going at first and as the day progressed piles burned better and we achieved the results we were looking for.  As the sun starts to set our Rx Fire Practitioners’ are getting the last of the piles lite before it really cools off and darkness sets in.  We will have folks on the burn overnight.  If you have a concern or question, I will have my phone near by, so don’t hesitate call.  I would rather you call me and get your question answered quickly and correctly rather than stay up all night wondering.  Thank you for reading this and we appreciate the support as we generate this GOOD Rx Smoke vs the BAD Wildland Smoke that contains who knows what that we fight all summer long and all over the United States, and beyond.  I would also like to thank our cooperators at CALFIRE/County Fire who provided a couple of crews from 10-1430 and a couple of engines for Structure protection.
The plan is to burn again tomorrow in front of the rain headed our direction later in the week.
Thank you for reading this long winded update
-Tim Gray BC33
USFS/CNF/PRD
619-209-1414

The controlled burn should start today for a couple days.  If you see smoke on the south side of the mountain, below Crestline and Birch Hill, it should be well cared for and give us a nice fuel break.

Thanks Tim Gray and Forest Service Crew, and everyone else involved for all you do to make our mountain more fire safe.

(Just might get a news crew back!)

Bonnie Phelps

See Also: Prescribed Burn

The Christmas classic, Scrooge, opens tomorrow night!

Recognize this neighbor?  One of our mountain residents plays 4 characters with 7 quick costume changes that include wigs, hoop skirts, lace up boots and many layers of clothing… Jody Villarreal also teaches voice and music on the mountain.  She shares her amazing talent in these wonderful plays several times a year.

Four oh-so-cute kids that call me ‘GramBonnie’ and a tall guy that calls me ‘Mom’ are also in the show.  Plus, three more girls from Palomar are all at the dress rehearsal tonight.  Our daughter-in-law is putting finishing touches on too many costumes to count!  Lots of fun in store! Hope you have a chance to take in this show!

Friday and Saturday nights with Sunday Matinees over the next two weeks.

Here is a link for tickets or you can also get them at the door.

“God Bless us, Everyone!”  Tiny Tim

Dropped a grandson off and just had to stop and take this photo for you.  Isn’t it gorgeous seeing the sun on the oak?  Sure is beautiful up here these days.

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Well, until we have snow…

Maybe this week?!!  We don’t see snowflakes in the forecast yet but are teased with 29 degrees!

Be sure your cabin is ready for freezing temps and check that supply of hot chocolate!

Click for tips to winterize

Bonnie Phelps

A few days ago, Tim Grey with the Forest Service came by.  He explained that they have a burn planned for the 70 acres that is shares the southerly line of Section 14 with Crestline and Birch Hill. (The 70 acres is the blue wavy triangle piece in the photo, just above East Grade).  They have prepared the land with a masticator and hand crews to stage piles for burning.  This should be a wonderful fire break for the area of our mountain with the most cabins and homes.

Tim was looking for contact info for a property owner above the 70 acres.  Thanks to Rob Hawk who gave permission for the crew to park 4 large water tenders on his land.

When the soil is damp enough, weather conditions right and the crew in place, the burn will take place.  Tim will send a message so will know when to expect to see smoke.  I’ll turn it around so you’ll have all the details.

Thanks Tim, Forest Service Crew, Cal Fire, Forestry, Fire Safe Council and so many of you who are working to make our mountain more fire safe.

Bonnie Phelps, Resident Realtor

The Second Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Party will be hosted by the Palomar Christian Conference Center.  Thanks to Chefs Steve and Chad!  It was such a fun event last year for kids of all ages!

Monday, mid morning, December 17th  (not Tuesday Kids Club Day)

Be sure to save the date.  More details to follow!

Holiday Variety Show!! Kids can perform secular or Christian holiday songs / dances / poems by themselves or in a group.

Tuesday, December 11 th 9:30 am at the Outreach Center.

Cadence and Molly are making up a dance to “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from “The Nutcracker”. Rowan is going to read a poem about Santa and his reindeer from Shel Silverstein. Opal loves “Jingle Bells” and might be ringing some bells!  Judah and Sunshine would do “When Christmas Comes To TownKiki is still thinking up her gig. Atticus, who knows.  Chloe might memorize a Bible verse, maybe something in Luke. She may even fall in love with a Christmas song by then.

Lots more kids will perform. Yay!!

Please bring snacks to share – no nuts, please.

Come and join in the fun!

Lots of great events planed for December for Palomar Kids and those who love them!

From: Stacy Eriksen, Kids Club Coordinator

This Tuesday, Nov. 27th: BATS at 10am at the Outreach Center!!

Don is a retired professional that frequently volunteers with Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the Natural History Museum of San Diego. He was recommended by a bat biologist who was conducting some research in the State Park. Hope you can make it — promises to be very educational!!

For the littles, we will do a storytime at 9:30am with a few bat books thrown in. Might be a craft too…working in that part!

Directions:  Take the road to the Observatory, almost to the very end.  The Outreach Center is the last driveway on the left before you get to the main entrance of the Observatory.