Cheesy Fun in Tillamook

Healing is a Sacred Journey:  Cheesy Fun in Tillamook

by

Virginia Pickles Jones


Way back in 1978 when I was attending the University of California and began grocery shopping for myself, I discovered this cheddar cheese called Tillamook that was far tastier than other cheddar cheeses.  I bought the Tillamook cheddar and left the Kraft cheese on the shelf.

Somewhere in the back of my mind was the fact that Tillamook cheese was made some place in Oregon.

Fast forward to 2002, when I followed a friend's advice and visited The Tillamook Cheese Factory for the first time.  Who knew that a cheese factory could be such a fun place to visit?  And we all know that fun is healing because that is the whole point of this blog.  The Oregon coast town of Tillamook boasts two cheese factories which welcome visitors -- The Tillamook Cheese Factory and the Blue Heron Cheese Company.

I love The Tillamook Cheese Factory with its cheese samples, fudge samples, superior ice cream and wall sized window views into the cheese making and packaging process.  In addition, the Tillamook Creamery's Mudslide Ice Cream is my favorite food, not merely my favorite ice cream.

However, despite the inside view of a cheese factory and fabulous ice cream, for quieter, more intimate family fun, I prefer the Blue Heron Cheese Company, which specializes in 

brie and blue cheese. 

 The Blue Heron Cheese Company also specializes in a petting zoo and a lovely, whimsical, flower filled garden.  One of my favorite ways to eat a picnic lunch on an Oregon beach is to buy a baguette of bread and cheese at the Blue Heron Cheese Company and take them with me to the beach.  I also like simply visiting the store and grounds to commune with garden and animals and feast on samples of dips and jams and cheese.  

So what can you do in Tillamook, Oregon?

Check out the cheese samples at The Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Impersonate a cow,

or graze on goodies by the geraniums in the cafe.

Then head to the Blue Heron Cheese Company and check out their samples (not shown).

Also check out their Petting Zoo and…

yak with a llama;

gossip with a goat;

chat with a chicken;

dance with a donkey;

and bow to a sheep.

Then gravitate to the garden.

Bask in the summer sun by the bird houses.

Pretend to be a pig;

and eat cheese and bread and dip and come again next year and do the same all over again.

Copyright 2014 Virginia Pickles Jones