From Portland we drove to Astoria, Oregon (on 7/24/10), to the family home of the Rohnes. Hans, a friend from Tucson, grew up here and now his brother Dirk and his wife, Amanda live and work the farm. They were so great to have us park our monster bus on their lawn and show us around. They milk the cows twice a day, everyday. They're part of the Tillamook co-op - they sell them all of their milk.
We borrowed Amanda's car and drove down the beautiful coast to Tillamook to visit the cheese factory. The facility was nice, but it was crowded and there wasn't all that much to see. We did sample the cheeses and found a few that we liked. Emily particularly liked the "squeaky cheese" which is actually cheese curd. It does squeak when you chew it. Ewww. Joe bought some pepper jack cheese that tastes like sausage (?) and we have been munching on that for a few days. The highlight was then the ice cream. We got 5 different flavors between us: cake batter, chocolate and peanut butter, butter pecan, orange sherbert, and cookie dough. I have never seen orange so orange!
We borrowed Amanda's car and drove down the beautiful coast to Tillamook to visit the cheese factory. The facility was nice, but it was crowded and there wasn't all that much to see. We did sample the cheeses and found a few that we liked. Emily particularly liked the "squeaky cheese" which is actually cheese curd. It does squeak when you chew it. Ewww. Joe bought some pepper jack cheese that tastes like sausage (?) and we have been munching on that for a few days. The highlight was then the ice cream. We got 5 different flavors between us: cake batter, chocolate and peanut butter, butter pecan, orange sherbert, and cookie dough. I have never seen orange so orange!
Amanda and Dirk
Joe with my orange ice cream
We visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and walked around the quaint town of Astoria. Apparently the downtown area has made quite the comeback in the past few years and Astoria is a now a very desirable town to live in. We particularly enjoyed the Sunday market with tons of food options! Max is consumed with his clam chowder obsession. He can only be distracted by the occasional fish n chips.
The Astoria Column is something to see! We climbed the 200 and something spiral stairs to get to the top only to realize we should have gone to the gift shop/visitor center FIRST to get the little gliders they give you for a $1 donation. So after we came down Max wanted to go back up to send his glider down. The rest of us vetoed this idea. I suggested we keep them as a souvenir. The views of the coastline, bridges and river were phenomenal from the top. I snapped a few pictures before making my hasty exit back down the stairs.
Emily on the column
We came home from a long day of sightseeing and Nutmeg was waiting patiently in the driver's seat!
bridge over the Columbia River
We've had the pleasure of attending quite a few different churches along the way. It's always interesting to worship with different congregations and to hear God's word taught by such a variety of people. We are encouraged by the young men that are proclaiming the gospel to people all over the country.
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