Palomar Mountain News

It is always nice to welcome new folks to Palomar.  However, it is often bitter-sweet for the seller.  Palomar is such a special place…

The escrow that closed today was the fifth family property to sell in less than a year for the Clark family.  Many of you know Steve Clark who served on the Water Board and PMPO over the years.  He and his wife live in Santa Maria so went out for a steak dinner to celebrate tonight.  He is thankful his escrow closed but Palomar is so close to his heart with 5 generations feeling the same way.

Steve’s family purchased Pedley Valley in the late 1800’s.  Some of their story was part of the marketing for their Bear’s Den Cabin that closed today.  Reminiscing, Steve told me his grandfather hand-dug the Palomar Mutual Water Company Well #1, known as Doctors Pond.

Pedley Valley had the only logging mill up here for many decades.  The wood for the Lodge and vintage cabins was logged out of the valley that is below Crestline on the north side.  The valley is now owned by a handful of different folks, including the water company.  The vintage apple trees that present owners still enjoy, were planted over 100 years ago.  So, Steve’s forefathers enjoyed apples off those same trees.  Yes, many happy memories.

The new owner we’ll introduce soon on a ‘New Neighbor’ post, but some of you have already met him!  George Wolfe is a licensed electrician and has already worked for several folks up here solving their electrical needs.  Welcome George!

That A-frame still in escrow sure has some patient buyers.  Several projects are finishing up to get the cabin in their name, hopefully next week.  They will be joining us full time!

The Forest Fixer was scooped up by two neighbors.  They teamed up with plans to really raise the bar with a total remodel, open up the view, fix the road fill it full of cabin charm.

We’ve had active showings for the 34 acres just waiting for your dream home or cabin but still looking for ‘the one’. Good time to check it out!

The Rim-of-the-World custom and the oh-so-inviting getaway on 9 acres are both sparkling and ready for you to move right in to catch the lazy days of summer.

With a couple thousand subscribers to PMNews, there are quite a few of you who are anxiously awaiting new listings.  I hear from you often.  So, dear readers with seldom used lots, land, cabins, homes or ranches….  I’m certainly glad to get your questions answered. Many buyers are waiting!

A safe and Happy Fourth to All,

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Thanks to Brian Beezley, a friend of the mountain for sending this link our way.  Three different SDG&E webcams give us a view off the mountain; Birch Hill, High Point and Boucher Lookout.   Guessing you might even see some fireworks in the view these next couple nights!  Happy Fourth Everyone!

From: Brian Beezley

I just wanted to tell you about some mountain webcams you may not be aware of:

http://www.alertwildfire.org/sdge/

Unlike the HPWREN webcams, these cameras can be pointed in different directions and they have telephoto zoom lenses to show distant detail.

The camera operators zoom in whenever they spot a fire. I have watched several fires this year using the cameras.

I thought this might be a valuable safety resource for anyone living on Palomar.

Brian

Thinking of camping on Palomar?  Staying at a Vacation Rental?  Like a couple bundles for your weekend at the cabin?  There is an easy source for firewood waiting for you on State Park Road!

The youngest entrepreneurs on the mountain have quite a business going! Ten year old Judah has enlisted the help of his 5 year old brother, and 9 and 11 year old sisters.  They have been supplying firewood for vacation rentals for over a year now.  Two weeks ago Judah built and painted his firewood stand all by himself (well, the other kids helped a little bit).  So, their business has really taken off!

Judah now has a contract with neighbors to harvest their big logs with Grandaddy. The kids split the wood with Grandma.  Then, they haul, bundle and stock their popular “Woodpecker Firewood” stand.  The stand is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Payment is by the honor system with a little can to slip in $5.00 per bundle.  They also go on Stick Patrol around the property to keep a bucket of kindling full.  The kindling is offered as a free bonus.

Scramble on over for fresh eggs, too!  They gather eggs daily from their very happy hens that lay eggs in several different colors.

And, the Stand is a free Internet Hot Spot.  Pull in, sign on as our Guest, no password and you’ll be checking your messages or catching up on calls in a minute.

You are welcome to call or text ahead to reserve your wood and eggs.

(Since these photos were taken, they have the proper eye wear, ear protection, jeans, boots, gloves and all the rest….  Safety First!)

It is so great to see how much these kids are enjoying hard work and see them interact greeting customers …  warms my heart!

Directions to the Stand: From Mother’s Kitchen and the Store, take State Park Road just over a mile.  You’ll see the stand on the right.  Can’t miss it!

Happy Camping Everyone!  Don’t forget the s’mores!

Bonnie

When I first saw that bright umbrella, I thought some folks were having a BBQ!  Just some friendly guys staying out of the sun.  Several different crews are up doing their jobs, prepping to change out old wooded poles for steel. Apparently the jobs will take quite awhile.  Sure is fun for mountain kids to watch…   helicopters coming back, soon, too!

Thanks to all for helping make our mountain more fire-safe.

Bonnie

Another Clean Up the Mountain free dumpster opportunity is coming up next weekend!

Click for the flyer where all the details are waiting for you!

SDG&E is replacing wood poles with steel for a higher level of safety during time of fire.  I talked to a gal a couple days ago doing site studies to mark pole locations on the roads.  A helicopter was scouting the mountain mid-day a couple days ago. Another worker yesterday said quite a few different contractors are involved, including helicopters to ferry in some poles in challenging locations.  Apparently a pole above our place will be set with a helicopter and guessing the local younger set would really enjoy watching.

When you hear those big birds in the air, you might take a look outside.

(Ok, I have to say it… wouldn’t this be a nice time to put a lot of this underground?  If only…)

Bonnie Phelps – who often dreams of photo-shopping those power lines in our view…

Absolutely everyone is invited next Tuesday to hear the new State Park Interpreter.  Will Myest has a great program for kids of all ages.

From: Stacy Eriksen

Tuesday the 26th, Will Myest, the State Park Interpreter will be coming to Kids Club to talk about mammals on the mountain and trail safety! He does the Junior Ranger program and has a lot to share with the kids!

Presentation will start at 10:30 at the Observatory Outreach Center. Hope to see you there!!

Do you know about Elderberry Flowers?  There are lots of these bushes in bloom all over Palomar. I was introduced to this wonderful tea by Hugo Sollman.  Many of you know Hugo who has a cabin up here and has been an organic farmer in Fallbrook for many years.

A few days ago, out showing property, I noticed some beautiful bushes, loaded with the flowers.  It was fun to have Hugo stop by today and mention that we’d better get picking!

The flavor of the tea apparently comes from the pollen, so this is a perfect time for a first harvest. Hugo suggested we use clippers and brown paper bags.  When you get home, shake the bugs and spiders off on newsprint, let dry in the bag for a week or so, then the buds come right off the stem.  You can put it in jars for flu-season or anytime healthy tea. The flowers are good to add to your salad and you can also use them in pancakes!

Great video has lots of good elderberry tips:

Be sure to respect private property if you are out picking.  Of course, Amazon has bags of these blossoms for sale, too!

A friend passed this on for fun pancakes made with the whole elderberry flower. I think we need to do this – quick. Lots of flowers along the public road easements.

From Karina:
“This just came from a group I belong to -California Native Plants.
Is not the healthiest, since those are fritters, but I believe is super fun project to do with kids as those will be pancakes fritters!
Collect some umbels of elderflower. Leave some of the stems on for handles. You can wash them gently to clean them if you want…or dip them in water and set on paper towels to dry. Dip them in your favorite pancake batter until flowers are coated. Then fry in oil until crispy. ( Try to make sure those handles stay upright for ease of removal). Let them drain on more paper towels. Some folks put sugar or cinnamon or whatever on them. Some like them plain. Pretty easy. Thumbs up from my crew so far.”

Enjoy!

Like a fun hike tomorrow (Tuesday) with some mountain neighbors?  Kids Club is meeting in the parking area, on the right, before you get to the State Park Kiosk. There is a great trailhead there that takes you out along the rim with an amazing  view.  It makes a nice loop to spend some time at the Silvercrest campground and then loop back to the cars.  Hope you can join in.  Bring your water bottles and your own snack.

This week there are also 8 mountain kids taking the Kindermusik Day Camp with Miss Jody.  This mountain is a great place for kids!

From: Stacy Eriksen

Tomorrow, if you’re not having fun at Jody’s Kindermusik class, meet at 9:45 at the entrance to the State Park by the sign out front. We’ll head in at 10am on the Silvercrest Trail to the picnic area, about a half-mile. We can play there for a little bit, maybe do an art or craft project, and then head back out. Hoping we are back at our cars by noon!

From: Cecelia

The Fire Safe Council meeting will be this Saturday, 10:00 AM at the Fire Station.

All are welcome.