Tillamook is on a large bay with a concentration of rivers, and a large valley with areas of grassy farmland. So, good fishing and good cows. They started Mooing in this area in the 1850s, then all the farmers got together and started a creamery, which is a very large operation today. Tillamook makes butter, cheese and ice cream - all which are very good.
The small town is very rural with none of the other coast's romantic getaways. However.... it is a pretty cool, and I guess romantic, that the families have created such a great community for over 150 years. The town is a family and they are proud of what they do.
There is a free tour of the cheese factory, ya free samples I know your thinking it, and the best ice cream you can eat. You can literally look out of the window and see the cows your ice cream milk came from. People in Oregon are Very Serious about their food. Most of the food, beer, and wine people eat / drink here is from farms in the area.
As far as the picture of the cow. I figured I better put my wool cap on it so you know is was me. I've gained a little weight during the move and getting settled here, so I don't want any miss identifications - wouldn't be fair to the cow.
The drive to Tillamook is over the Coastal Range, through the forest of Douglas Fir trees. Outstandingly beautiful drive. The Wilson River parallels the road for much of the trip. There were some guys in the river fishing for Steelhead (Big Rainbow Trout returning from the sea) and kayakers. I can't wait to get into these rivers and start fishing.
Now before you get to the pictures, I'll have to confess about a little problem that Rose and I have when we travel. That would be finding lunch. Ya, I know WTF, but our eyes roll back into our heads, there are spousal arguments, bad tempers, much driving around in circles then we are automatically drawn to the most rat invested, food poison, roadside attractions of the world. I don't know what it is. Case in Point. Last weekend on the trip to Mt Hood, I had planned lunch option A with lunch option B. Anyway. This trip we were supposed to eat at the Pacific. Really looked good and we had a restaurant.com coupon for 50% off - what could go wrong.... Ha, we had no plan B, or even C. We got there only to see people get out of their car, walk up to the door and come back - bad sign. Yep, closed for special event. I thought us coming was a special event but apparently not. Anyway, we then went into drooling zombie mode and drove around and around and around until we found the "Mexican Restaurant". I no longer believe in God, is all I can say...With every circuit of the town I prayed I would find a place for my lovely wife to eat, be happy, and this ordeal would be over. I've been on fire and not prayed so hard, but I must have done (and you guys that know me keep shut) some bad stuff in life, because we ended up at the "Mexican Restaurant". Details are not to be relived. To rub salt into the wound, when we got back up to the cheese factory we found a fantastic place to eat across the road and a cafe inside the cheese factory. WTF, child please, a little help down here... So, if you are every traveling with us make damn sure you figure out where to have lunch before we do - if you know what is good for you.
Captain Dave
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