Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Be a Good Neighbor!

Just because we vintage campers tend to be "interesting maverick individual" types, doesn't mean we want to go it alone all the live-long day! Sure we are up at Pinecrest to "get away from it all" and "have a little chill-time", but consider taking a few minutes to get to know your neighbor. Building community with this special group of people empowers us all.

Here are some easy tips!

Don't sneak up on your neighbor. Walk in view of him/her; even wave as you approach. This may sound obvious, but think about how freaked out you'd be to talk to someone who scared the living daylights out of you. As soon as you reach your new neighbor, introduce yourself in whatever way you feel comfortable. They will pick up the slack at this point and offer an excited, welcoming reply. Keep the initial conversation short and steered toward common ground: camping, trailers, neighborhood activities, things to do about town. Keep it light and fun, then be sure to watch for signs that your new neighbor is finished talking. Don't keep her there any longer than she wants to be there. And don't start asking invasive questions about your neighbor's personal or professional life or even where he or she is from (they aren't "getting away from it all" just so they can be reminded of it all). In good time, you'll learn more private details. A nice, quick conversation is best. Leave your neighbor thinking that you are relaxed, easygoing and someone he is going to look forward to running into at a later date.
Saying "Hi"! It's so easy!  Saying "hello" is a lost art that needs to be brought back. Try this: When you are out and about and you encounter someone you haven't met say "Hi!", make eye contact and smile. If they feel like engaging in a little conversation they will pick up the ball and toss it in your court... if not just wave and keep on moving. Everyone's day is a little brighter.
Spruce up your outdoor space, and spend time there.  Hang out on your porch, picnic table or fireside. Put a (tasteful) conversation piece in front of your camp: plant flowers or display some fun-funky art. Don't be shy. You'll find everyone at Pinecrest is pretty cool.
Practice common courtesies  Tidy up for your neighbor (who may not have been up yet) after strong winds or a storm: stow their folding chairs back under the camper, or untangle their wind chimes for them. Help new comers and guests who might need a little assistance with awkward gear, backing a trailer into a site or tying down a tarp before a predicted wet week-end. (I bet they will do the same for you next time.)
Stroll. Post. Offer.  Take an evening stroll around the block. Post a note on the clubhouse bulletin board inviting folks over for coffee one morning, or check it to see what others are up to! When you are heading into town, ask a neighbor if they need anything, this saves them a needless trip and builds a strong bond.
Get involved with the Pinecrest community garden.
Did you know that Pinecrest has a community garden where fresh flowers, herbs and veggies are grown? It's located a little way up the hill from the pool headed to the west. Volunteer! Check-in with Syd to get the overview, then get your green thumb to work.


Being a good neighbor is easy.
The reward? PRICELESS!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Short Film Shot at Pinecrest! Festival to be Announced.


Pinecrest site-holders Lynn Reinstein and Timo Elliott collaborated on the creation of an indie short film using Lynn's trailer and the natural beauty of her site. This project, entitled Something In The Darkness, is a dark-comedy-thriller made with a very dangerous looking gun and a good old fashioned yeti costume. Elliott & Reinstein (in collaboration with Ann Keniston) are also the co-founders of the First Annual International Secret Arts & Film Festival, which also took place at Pinecrest. They hope to present their new film, and others like it, at the next International Secret Arts & Film Festival again at Pinecrest, at a date to be disclosed as needed. Stay Tuned!
Join in the fun! Make your own short film at Pinecrest, 20 minutes or less, using any genre and we will include it in our Festival!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Vintage Christmas Greetings!




Julian Events: Winter 2010

Every Sunday except January 10 (weather permitting): Julian Doves & Desperados   – historic comedy skits at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – stage area between Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market & Deli. For information call Krisie at (760) 765-1857 more info...
Friday & Saturday Evenings: Santa Ysabel Casino Live Music – 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., country, blues and classic rock bands – (760) 787-0909, 25575 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel www.santaysabelcasino.com
Every Sunday (weather permitting): Julian Doves & Desperados  – historic comedy skits at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. – stage area between Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market & Deli. For information call Krisie at (760) 765-1857 more info...
Friday & Saturday Evenings: Santa Ysabel Casino Live Music – 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., country, blues and classic rock bands – (760) 787-0909, 25575 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel www.santaysabelcasino.com
The Julian Art Gallery, Quarterly Fine Art Exhibit, Local and Greater San Diego Artists, 2229 Main Street, Julian CA 92036, 760.765.1551
www.thejulianartgallery.com
February 5: Bailey BBQ Live Music –  8 p.m. – Corner of Main & A Street, (760) 765-3757
February: Town Hall Crafters Craft Show – 9a.m. to 5 p.m. – Town Hall
February 19: Bailey BBQ Live Music  –  8 p.m. – Corner of Main & A Street, (760) 765-3757
February 26: Bailey BBQ Live Music –  8 p.m. – Corner of Main & A Street, (760) 765-3757
March 2011

Daffodils in bloom / Desert Wildflowers in bloom
Every Sunday (weather permitting): Julian Doves & Desperados  – historic comedy skits at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – stage area between Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market & Deli. For information call Krisie at (760) 765-1857 more info...
Friday & Saturday Evenings: Santa Ysabel Casino Live Music – 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., country, blues and classic rock bands – (760) 787-0909, 25575 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel www.santaysabelcasino.com
Friday & Saturday Evenings: Jeremy's on the Hill presents live piano music –  (760) 765-1587
The Julian Art Gallery, Quarterly Fine Art Exhibit, Local and Greater San Diego Artists, 2229 Main Street, Julian CA 92036, 760.765.1551
www.thejulianartgallery.com
March  -May : Town Hall Crafters Craft Show – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Town Hall
March 20-21:  Tour of Borrego – Road rides of 22, 40, 62, & 80 miles – Wild flowers and great riding  – R&B Bicycle Club (760) 765-2200 www.julianactive.com
March 26-27: Daffodil Show  "Daffodil Lovers" Come celebrate Spring with the Flower of Hope– Julian Town Hall 2129 Main Street and The Blue Heron Garden Shop, 2116 Third St. – Saturday, March 26, 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 27, noon to 5 p.m. – Bring all daffodils for display & judging Friday March 25, noon to 4 p.m. names and questions about daffodils answered by National Daffodil Society experts.
click here for photo
Lilacs in Bloom
Every Sunday (weather permitting): Julian Doves & Desperados  – historic comedy skits at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – stage area between Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market & Deli. For information call Krisie at (760) 765-1857  more info...
Friday & Saturday Evenings: Santa Ysabel Casino Live Music – 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., country, blues and classic rock bands – (760) 787-0909, 25575 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel www.santaysabelcasino.com
The Julian Art Gallery, Quarterly Fine Art Exhibit, Local and Greater San Diego Artists, 2229 Main Street, Julian CA 92036, 760.765.1551
www.thejulianartgallery.com
Every Sunday (rain or shine): Julian Certified Farmers' Market -- fresh and local organic produce, nuts, eggs and specialty foods including salsa, tamales, sambusa, kettle corn and fresh baked breads from the Julian Bakery.  Live music some weekends.  Farmers' Market takes place from 11am to 4 pm at 4470 Hwy. 78, at the Wynola Farms Marketplace, 3 miles West of Main St.  For more information visit us online at www.wynolafarms.com
April: Easter Brunch and Specials – Jeremy's on the Hill –  reservations (760) 765-1587
April 24: Easter Egg Hunt behind Bailey's BBQ – 9 a.m. – Free for all ages – Children under 4 have their own egg hunt area – B.Y.O.B. (bring your own basket)
April 14-17: Julian Family Fiddle Camp – Camp Cedar Glen – The first of what I hope will be an annual fiddle camp.  Web site provides adequate description.  www.familyfiddlecamp.com
April 16-30: Town Hall Crafters Craft Show – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Town Hall
April 24: – Easter Brunch at the Pine Hills Lodge, Easter Egg Hunt at 11:00 am! Please call for reservations - 760-765-1100, www.pinehillslodge.com
April: A Taste of Julian – 1 to 4 p.m. – $20 person for map, ticket, event card and recipe booklet – (760) 765-4758
April 29: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church – BUNCO!! – $20 per person – Door open at 6:30 p.m. , Bunco starts at 7 p.m. – Julian Town Hall 2129 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036 – For Reservations and Questions call Rose Mary at (760) 765-4853
April: Julian MTB Death March – How Much can you endure?  For the avid Mountain Biker – R&B Bicycle Club (760) 765-2200 www.julianactive.com
April: An Early California and Gold Rush Camp at Julian Mining Company – It's a great new place with lots of camping land in the country in a small gold rush setting with a working sluice and panning.  There is even a small wooded area with a grinding rock for native California impressions – 4444 Highway 78 Wynola, (951) 313-0166

Friday, December 3, 2010

A Different Kind of Hike!

The Right Direction:  8 Steps To Make A Difference In The World

1. Everything - people, places, and situations - has something to say. Really listening, without interrupting or letting your attention wander, is the simplest way to learn and understand the needs of other people and of the world.


2. Volunteer your time or donate your money to a cause that touches your heart. Read to an elderly patient or buy new books for a veterans' home. Work at a soup kitchen or send a gift of food. No matter how big or small, your contribution will positively affect many people.


3. Embrace nature and beautify the world for others. To lift people's spirit, keep your garden bright, or plant and maintain flowers in a public area. Plant and donate a tree in somebody's name in your local park. As a gift to wild animals, make your yard animal friendly with dense hedges and by using natural pesticides.


4. Your energy affects others so choose to be a beacon of light. Project goodness, happiness, and peace outward through your home, neighborhood, country, and, finally the world. The effects are felt for thousands of miles.


5. Smile and the world smiles with you. When you catch a stranger's eye, flash a bright smile, even if you aren't feeling quite that happy. Your stranger may be confused, but their day (and yours) will be brighter.


6. Animals feel a lack of love as acutely as humans. Adopt a pet from your local shelter rather than purchasing one from a pet store. If your life can't include a pet, spend an afternoon volunteering at the animal shelter giving the animals some much-needed love.


7. Help improve someone's self-esteem or simply show them you care. Give a compliment, send a friendly letter, or tell someone you were thinking about them. Make an effort to keep in touch with long-time acquaintances and to develop new friendships.


8. Be a role model. Rather than asking others to alter themselves, change your own outlook and behavior. A role model can be a source of inspiration, hope, and self-respect. Or actively take on the responsibilities of a role model and reach out to children in need of guidance or an adult in need of a friend.

Fun Stuff to do when it's not so hot: Hike Cedar Falls.

Hike Cedar Falls to enjoy a romantic hike through the hills of Eastern San Diego. Be rewarded with waterfalls cascading into a pool below. Swim in the pool beneath the falls. The 100 foot high Cedar Falls is located southwest of Julian. You can make a day of it and stop for apple pie in Julian after your hike.

The best time to hike to Cedar Falls is in the spring or fall when the falls will be at their peak and it's not too hot. There is a swimming hole at the bottom of the falls where you can enjoy a swim, if you are a polar bear!

This can be a beautiful hike. Cedar Creek is a tributary of the San Diego River. There are a number of small falls in the area with Cedar Falls being the largest. Black oak, cedar, and cottonwood trees are common in the area. Bird watchers can spot local birds.



Directions from the town of Julian: Drive two miles west on Hwys. 78/79. Turn left on Pine Hills Road. Continue 1.5 miles. Bear right onto Eagle Peak Road. Continue 1.4 miles. Bear right to stay on Eagle Peak Road. Continue another 8.2 miles to the signed trailhead for the California Riding and Hiking Trail. This last 8 miles will be partly paved and partly dirt road. The trailhead is at the end of the road with a sign that says "Saddleback Trail".

You will need to get an Adventure Pass parking permit from the U.S. Forest Service because this hike is on National forest land.

Precautions: You do need to be in good shape for this trip. The hike to Cedar Falls is 4.5 miles roundtrip and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring plenty of water. 3 quarts of water per person is recommended during warm weather. The trip to the falls is downhill, which means the return trip is uphill. It is dangerous to climb on the rocks around the falls. Jumping or diving into the pools is prohibited.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Off-Season is the BEST Season!


Do you think that just because summer is over that you have to give up your weekend camping trips? With a little proper planning, you can camp well into the fall. For those of us that can take the cold, you can even camp during the winter months. During this time of year, the nice warm days make for a great time for the family to spend hiking and exploring the wilderness. The cooler nights are perfect for sitting around the campfire eating S’mores, playing board games, sharing stories and making music with your family, friends and new acquaintances. When the leaves start changing color the experience is even more worthwhile. So grab a sweatshirt, extra blanket, and a silly (but warm) hat... then head on out there to enjoy one of the best seasons of the year!

PS: If it get's a little too chilly, windy or rainy, you can always head down the hill for the day and warm up in Borrego Springs!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Building Community


Turn off your TV. Leave your house. Know your neighbors, Look up when you are walking; Greet people; Sit on your stoop; Plant flowers; Use your library; Play together; Buy from local merchants; Share what you have; Help a lost dog; Take children to the park; Garden together; Support neighborhood schools; Fix it even if you didn't break it; Have pot lucks; Honor elders; Pick up litter; Read storeis aloud; Dance in the street; Talk to the mail carrier; Listen to the birds; Put up a swing; Help carry something heavy; Barter for your goods; Start a tradition; Ask a question; Hire young people for odd jobs; Organize a block party; Bake extra and share; Ask for help when you need it; Open your shades; Sing together; Share your skills; Take back the night; Turn up the music; Turn down the music; Listen before you react to anger; Mediate a conflict; Seek to understand; Learn from new and uncomfortable angles; Know that no one is silent athough many are not heard. Work to change this.