This sweeping vista looking northeast demonstrates how my ‘town’ is nestled in a valley beneath rock-studded hills. That is Mount Palomar, home of the famous 200 inch Hale telescope, in the distance on the left. From this spot on Matinal drive my home is about two miles away (basically in line with the light pole).

Title to this former Spanish Rancho dates back to 1769 when Spain conquered California, and it passed to Mexico in 1822 following their revolt from Spain. The "Bernardo Rancho" was granted to a former sea captain named Joseph Sevenoaks in 1842 & 1845 who used the land as a cattle ranch.

We became a master-planned community established on about 7000 acres 25 miles north of downtown San Diego in 1961 and have grown to about 45,000 residents. All utilities are underground. There are no wires or TV antennas or similar distractions. Note the Spanish tile roofs. It is a very quiet suburban area.

I have lived here since 1983 and love it.

I was over at this end of town this morning to help *** Tom Crane *** celebrate the beginning of his 59th birthday.