Palomar Mountain News

Our resident owl is keeping an eye out for the the SpaceX launch from Vandenburg tonight. We have seen them several times from my desk.

The link is to open at at about 5:50. Thanks to Mike Pique for sending our way.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-11-3 Sky looks pretty clear from where I am on the East Grade.   Look to the northwest, then the rocket will head pretty much straight south.

Last night was such a wonderful evening of music and carols from Bruce and Rita. Have a few more pix to gather from others and I’ll turn them around. As we were leaving, I walked out to my car parked across the road and happened on this view. Of course I had to take it for you.

All is calm, all is bright…. sleep in heavenly peace.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and first Day of Hanukah,

Bonnie, Don and Family

Always glad to answer that question for you!

‘Relax on the Rocks’ was spoken for real quick. It was sunny when the agent arrived to Facetime his buyers a couple thousand miles away. Then, as the sun went down the party lights came on and there was a nice fire in the fireplace. The buyers couldn’t resist. They will drive up the mountain for their very first time after closing escrow!

What’s available? Simply click on the following links and you’ll see a peek at our first snow mid November for both of these listings. It was so beautiful for my hikes that day with Fall Colors still on the trees and a dusting of snow under the bright blue sky and billowy clouds:

Ten Acres with an ‘unpainted canvas’ is waiting for your dream of creating your own special getaway.

A charming cabin in the woods is move-in ready for full-timers or a weekend retreat.

Several more listings are in the works so we’ll have them for you the first of the year! We haven’t had snow again yet, but I can dream so I’ll just say I’m glad to ‘hitch up my sleigh’ and take you on a tour!

A very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and may you Thrive in 2025!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-533-1742 DRE 01293655

We owe a lot to our mountain historian, Peter Brueggeman for endless hours sourcing and providing links to stories and books, old photos and so much more. Here is his latest collection of how some of our mountain areas got their names:

From: Peter Brueggman

Here’s links to pieces I’ve researched and written on the origin of various Palomar Mountain placenames. Note that the placenames for Colb Valley and Parayne Hill are misspelled from the original people involved.

 Birch Hill… named after Henry and Arthur Birch
 see https://archive.org/details/birch_202301

 French Valley…. named after Hubert Foussat and Jean Foussat
 see https://archive.org/details/foussat

 Parayne Hill … named after Jean Bertrand Peyregne and Jean Louis Peyregne
 see https://archive.org/details/peyregne

 Gordon Point… named after Donald Gordon
 see https://archive.org/details/gordon_20241217

 Morgan Hill … named after William Henry Morgan
see  https://archive.org/details/fry-morgan

 Barker Valley… named after Joseph R. Barker
 see https://archive.org/details/barker_202412

 Dyche Valley … named after George V. Dyche
 see https://archive.org/details/dyche_20240220

 Colb Valley… named after William Jasper Kolb
 see https://archive.org/details/kolb_20240530

 Jeff Valley and Will Valley… named after members of the Cook family
 see https://archive.org/details/cook_20240608

 Pedley Valley … named after Nathan Chaffin Pedley
 see https://archive.org/details/pedley

 Love Valley … named after John A. Love
 see https://archive.org/details/love_20241123

 Frazier Point… named after Maria and Elizabeth Frazier
 see https://archive.org/details/fraziers-of-palomar-mountain_202310

 Doane Valley … named after George Doane
 see https://archive.org/details/doane_202402

Thank you Peter!!!

Interested in some fun history on George Doane? And, here is the link to his book!

There are fabulous photos and endless reading on Peter’s Palomar History resource.

You’re amazing Peter!

Bonnie Phelps

Many of you have already had letters notifying us that SDG&E is putting the power underground for fire safety. A couple years ago when they started installing the large metal poles I asked the crews what it would take to get them underground. They very confidently told me that undergrounding is next. Now it is to really happen eventually.

Yesterday I met these surveyors on State Park Road. Joshua Thompson is the superintendent is the Chief Field Surveyor for N V 5 and his assistant Christian is working with him. He said they have just finished Valley Center, Ramona and Julian. Now, they will be on the mountain a couple months or so. In addition to locating all poles they are also locating all meters so you might see Scott and Christian them on your property. They did tell me they are a couple years out.

This will be the ultimate photoshop for the mountain. Here are quick before and afters from a pretty snow one year.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor DRE#1293655 & PMNews Editor since the beginning of the Century 760-533-1742

Everyone is invited to a old fashioned time of Christmas music and singing Monday Evening. Bruce and Rita Druliner will be leading ’round the big stone fireplace at the Community Center next to the Fire Department. They even have song sheets if you’d like to sing along. This is just a peek of the decorations. Elves will be busy making it very nice for you so we can pretend we have a White Christmas.

Mountain music from Bruce goes way back. His family purchased their ranch on Palomar in 1954. We remember many events when we lived up here in the 1970’s and ever since, enjoying Bruce with his soulful voice and his guitar. Now, his wife Rita, will have her keyboard, too. Just thought of a fun memory I must share. About 20 years ago we had a progressive dinner. The first stop was appetizers hosted at the Druliner Ranch. We knew it might rain but no snow in the forecast. We enjoyed the first few songs. Then, as soon as Bruce and the band started started singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”, we saw HUGE flakes of snow through the windows! It was really coming down so a few minutes later we’d packed up to get all the cars up their long driveway and on to the next house. Hummm, I wonder if they have that song in their play list this year?

You’re welcome to bring a favorite hardy appetizer to share or Christmas dessert. Cecelia has been busy making her annual toffee and cookies, John Lesac will have his recipe book out for some of his amazing creations on his wood stove. We’ll have a crock pot of meatballs plus all sorts of goodies. So, if you’d like the night off, you don’t have to bring anything at all. Love to have you.

The event is hosted by the volunteers of the Community Center with hot chocolate, coffee and tea. We’ll start gathering at 5:00 and hope you can join us.

Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to YOU!

Bonnie Phelps for Cecelia and Robert, too

Do YOU have dead or dying trees close to your home or cabin on Crestline or Birch Hill? Would you like them removed for FREE?

Our local Resource Conservation District has grant funding to remove dead or dying trees within 150 feet surrounding any habitable structure on Crestline and Birch Hill. This first tree removal grant is only for the Crestline and Birch Hill areas. Very sorry! We know this service is needed in other areas, too. The homes from the General Store to the State Park area should be included in the next grant.

Here is the link for the fillable Temporary Entry Permit. It is very easy to click through and fill out. No printing needed, it is all online. Please take a minute from your busy holiday schedule to get it sent directly to Stan’s inbox.

Stan will then be contacting you to evaluate your property needs for the dead and dying tree removal grant. He told me today that they will address the most most dangerous trees first and then others as the grant funds allow. He is already promised more funds so stay tuned for the next grant info.

Some of you have dead and dying trees that are within 150 feet of your home or cabin but are not on your property. Some standing dead trees might be on vacant lots. The Water Company for Crestline and Birch Hill is sending a mailing to all share holders but often the vacant lots don’t own a water share. So those owners wouldn’t get a notice and might not subscribe to PMNews. We’re glad to help you contact the property owner directly. Just reach out to me as I am glad to connect you to the owners for this free service.

Many thanks to our Palomar Mountain Fire Safe Council and Stan Hill who all work so hard to help keep our mountain firesafe.

Bonnie Phelps 760-533-1742

Here is Stan Hill’s info:

Stan Hill, Forestry & Fire Prevention Project Manager

Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

In Partnership with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County

And Wild Willow Farm and Education Center

11769 Waterhill Road, Lakeside, CA  92040

Office Tel: (619) 562-0096 Ext. 110

Cell: 951-553-3013 stan.hill@rcdsandiego.org

www.rcdsandiego.org I www.wildwillowfarm.orgI www.firesafesd.org

The wind finally caught up to the power outage for much of SoCal. All of Palomar went out about dinner time. I knew it was coming so had some candles lit for a fun ambiance with friends heading our way. Perfect timing as SDG&E had the power off a few minutes later and our generator started humming.

Do you work from home and would like to plug in or charge up? You’re welcome to come on over. We have a couple of desk options for you for privacy if you’d like. Or, join the party that is often happening ’round our Starstrucks Coffee Counter and warm fire in the wood stove.

David Ross, editor of the Valley Center Roadrunner called last night. Their power was out. Dave was finishing up publishing his newspaper and checking on the mountain. When the power went out up here, we didn’t have even a slight breeze. The wind kicked up a bit by bedtime so with the promise of getting stronger, we took down our flags and wind chimes. I’ll run out this morning and put away the cushions that blew off the patio chairs. So far the wind hasn’t been pretty mild but constant so we’ll see how this storm does over the next couple days.

Call or text for directions and come on by,

Bonnie and Don 760-533-1742

Hoping you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebration today. Running out to be with family and friends today, I had to giggle. Our resident turkeys don’t know how lucky they are as they should be quite thankful today to live on this beautiful mountain.

Very thankful today and always. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Bonnie and Family

Driving ’round through Birch Hill, you are greeted by this adorable snowman. He is so excited because we just may get our first dusting this weekend of that delightful white stuff! He is not alone as there are bears and bowls and clocks, even a dolphin and all sorts of critters waiting for a new home.

The craftsman is a favorite neighbor, Justin Davis who has created such a fun business with wood from the mountain, of course. Follow Palomar Mountain Woodworks on social media and reach out to Justin with your gift list and commission ideas. 760-651-2704