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Credit: Rogue Creamery by Laurie Borman/Rand McNally.com |
Medford, Ore. — Anyone who’s ever ordered from gourmet food purveyor Harry & David knows about the pears and their Tower of Treats. I arrived at the Harry & David Country Village hoping to do the full tour. Unfortunately, the entire factory was off on holiday. I was fortunate to have Kay, a regular tour guide, take me through the steps of the usual tour, and I saw the famous pears just beginning to grow. Of course, I dropped a wad of cash at the store later, gifts for the folks back home. Leaving Medford, next up was Rogue Creamery in Central Point. They, too, were not in full production, but I managed to see some curds and whey getting stirred in a 10,000-gallon vat. Rogue is famous for their Oregon Blue Cheese and has won several awards for it. Couldn’t leave there without some blue cheese. Next door was Lillie Belle Farms, with artisan chocolates. Each piece was gorgeous, but the spiced pecan toffee samples grabbed me. Without a cooler, I’ll be carrying my towering treats in from the hot car every stop. But it’s all good. — Laurie Borman
