Knowing the internet is such a wonderful source for locating restaurants and wineries and anything artisan made…
I enjoy the opportunity to pay it forward…
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There were many visits to wineries and restaurants…but there were definitely some favorites…
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cheese…
Willamette Valley Cheese Company – (Salem) visit the farm and it’s 400 plus artisans (cows) hard at work…as well as the adorable little tasting room known for its gouda, havarti, brie and mozzarella…
Rogue Creamery – (Central Point) the big cheese of them all…and famous for their blue…the Rogue River Blue was hands down the favorite of many sampled and purchased…but you can’t go wrong with any of them…
vineyards and wineries…
Torii Mor – (Dundee) not only fabulous wine…but an extra benefit of a serene Japanese garden just a few steps from the vineyard…the perfect setting even during a light drizzle of rain…not to mention perfect timing to view part of the winery process…
Bella Vida – (Dundee) totally lives up to its name…the beauty of life…the primo of all views in the Dundee area…nice owners and more wonderful wine…
Belle Fiore – (Ashland) a European style winery…the French/Italian name translated to “beautiful flower.” And speaking of beautiful…a private tasting at the Chateau’s owner’s home…a real treat to take in the beauty of the chateau, the gardens and vineyards while tasting the 2013 Estate Pinot Noir…my favorite.
restaurants…
Recipe (Newberg) hands down my favorite of all restaurants during our stay in Oregon…a cozy bistro atmosphere in a rustic restored Victorian home with the most incredible house-made burrata (with prosciutto, green olives, preserved tomatoes and ficelle toast). I will dream of this salad for years to come…
Red Hills Market (Dundee) the perfect place for lunch…wonderful craft sandwiches eaten in a sweet little back patio area complete with a bocce ball court…
Loggers Tap House (Roseberg) oh…the sourdough pizza…need I say more?
Jacksonville Inn (Jacksonville) cozy outdoor bistro area for lunch and fine dining (yet casual) at night…enjoyed both tremendously…exceptional wines – about 2,000 wines available…extremely consistent in quality and service…
***Besides picnicking…the numerous meals prepared by all the willing participants in our group were the best…and even though I don’t cook…I’m a good cleaner AND I learned when you unload the dishwasher you unload the lower rack first to eliminate water drips from the first rack. Who knew? 🙂 (thanks NJO!)
shopping…
Papaya! Living (Ashland) – a destination…as I’ve adored Anahata’s art for a long time…it’s a must if you are anywhere close to Ashland…a boho boutique filled with her creations, rare finds from her travels and clothing!
And then there’s this coffee shop in Port Orford on the coast…One Lump or Two – omg…a very early morning to seek out that gorgeous morning light as well as a coffee. Opened the red door of this coffee shop and there’s the loudest head baggin’ music you’ve ever heard. Behind the counter in the back room was a gnarly tattooed guy with appropriate piercings…who happened to be wound pretty tight…the kind where you don’t know whether to stay or run! After a few minutes of waiting he barked… “you want regular or wake the fuck up? Oh, and by the way…while I’m making your coffee and if a fisherman comes in? you’re gonna wait…they come first.” “Oh…ok.” I have to say the wtfu coffee was an eye opener for sure! A must experience if you pass through Port Orford as there can’t be anything like this anywhere else!
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Still a bit more to share on Oregon…so I’ll sprinkle them in throughout the month. I’m back in my city and will head for Vermont for a few days to soak in that amazing fall color, as well as time with good friends. So stay tuned!
Wow, do I love your photo of the milk cows, it is wonderful. I am reading Hold Still by Sally Mann and it reminds me of one of her photos.
Wow, thanks so much! To be reminded of Sally Mann’s photography is a huge compliment, THANK YOU! I loved her book! And in fact…getting ready to re-read it!
Wow! Thanks for sharing all the good wine, cheese, and coffee shops with us GG. Bro and I will make notes for our future trip to Oregon. Can’t wait to try some of all of that… but I bet, just as you said, by far the best meals were cooked by the willing participants of your group. I know first hand what a GREAT cleaner you are and I am sooooooooo PROUD that you learned the trick of why you always want to unload the bottom rack of the dishwasher first… It’s a nice little trick I learned by trail and error myself many years ago… Amazing how it’s the little things that can make our day…! Say hello to Abby and Robert for me. XoXo More!
You two are going to so fall in love with this state…mark my words!!! Will do on Vermont…it’ll be fun to see them both again! And hopefully some wonderful fall color! Love…more! P.S. I knew you would know about the bottom rack, ha ha!
The cows are udderly delightful! I could just see you bending down behind them trying to get the right shot, and quickly, LOL!
Great list you compiled. You really got to see and experience a lot. They sound wonderful and fun.
I was laughing my arse off reading the coffee shop experience. Reminded me of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, who really exists in your city! Sounds like a place you really get your “lumps” and they are far from sweet.
Thanks for a delightful post and for sharing.
Have a wonderful time in beautiful Vermont.
Love you.
xoxo
Thanks my dear! Yes, bending down at the same time as trying to hold my nose, ha ha! It was great…loved being in that atmosphere! And the cheese…omg…to die for! Oh yes…this guy was a character for sure! xoxoxo!
I really enjoyed checking out these wonderful places that you experienced, what a treat! Also loved finding out that you are a fan of Anahata, I have been for so many years so thank you for sharing her fun space and speaking of fun, I really wish I had been with you for that wtfu coffee craziness, I bet we would have totally cracked up …. you did, didn’t you? Or did you smile sweetly and lose it the minute you got out the door? I laugh just thinking about that scene!
Welcome back to your city … keep the adventures coming ~
LOL! You know…it was sooooo early in the morning…too much wine the night before…and in desperate need of coffee…I do think I smiled sweetly and got the hell out of there! Ha! What an experience! Thank you!!!! xoxo
You should send this to an Oregon tourist site, Robin. I bet there are any number of visitors who’d LOVE your recommendations. Seriously! 🙂
Thanks Ginnie!
Yes, cool photo! I would love to see them all. The story in that coffee shop is fabulous … and so … Oregon!
Totally Oregon! Thanks Ruth!!
When I “Pop over” to your Blog, because of my small brain, I always get a bit lost regarding which is your newest post, so often I just open a post, hoping I’ve got somewhere near the newest one. Wherever I end up, I always leave with the same view which is you are about my favourite photographer for all kind s of reasons, including your humanity and amazing eye
You, Ducky…are so funny! Thanks always for your visits and comments!
One lump or two….sounds very inviting…not good for the health, but who cares. Great pictures, love the cow’s legs….
Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid!
Robin that sound like my kind of coffee stop, gotta love those characters methinks, it would certainly be an eye opener had you never encountered such colourful language.
The photos are lovely the first is a cracker.
I love that saying shooter…the first is a cracker! That always makes me smile. Thanks so much!
A wonderful share. Maybe one day I’ll get there:)
You must! I can’t wait to go back and check out more of that amazing state! Thank you!