Tillamook Creamery: New and Improved!

I should be clear: I have not previously written about the Tillamook Cheese Factory. 

However, when you grow up in this area, there are things that are fixtures. That includes the Enchanted Forest and Wildlife Safari, and it includes the Cheese Factory (which will still always be the Cheese Factory, even though "Creamery" is the proper name).

Having been there on school trips and family trips, it's easy to notice the differences post-renovation; it is better!

A lot of that is being bigger. Well, the size of the property is probably not changed.

I suspect this space for shipping is mostly the same, but now there is a view and signage. The change to the visitor space is more important.

The self-guided tour is still there, where you can look down onto the factory floor through large windows.

Follow the hoof prints, because there is more of an emphasis on the cows.

That includes interactive play and information, but the increase in information is carried throughout the tour.

You could always look down at the equipment. Now signage will tell you that this contraption is the Blue Octopus and what it does.

I don't remember a lot of signage from my childhood visits, but now there are detailed signs, diagrams, and video.

The best change has been the separation of different areas. In the past I never sampled anything because it was in the same line for buying food, and that line was always long.

The expanded food court is still busy, but now cheese tasting has its own room.

If you end up in a long line, there are pictures, fun facts, and quizzes displayed in milk buckets, but even on this busy day, there was not really a line.

One thing that probably helps is that it is primarily self-serve now, though there is a staff member overseeing the samples and available for questions. My advice? Go for the cheese curds!

Then, if you find something you really like, you can find some pretty good prices on all of the products in the gift shop, which also has plenty of merch.

Much of that is centered around the microbuses used for the Love Loaf tour. There is a model near the entrance that makes for a very popular photo opportunity. Count on a line for that.

They have also added fun visitor opportunities, like monthly drawings for a year of free ice cream or a year of free cheese.

On our visit, there was also a raffle going on for this loaf hive. (Bread isn't the only food that comes in loaves.)

All in all the tour has become a better experience while remaining free (though with lots of tempting things to buy).

COVID: Plan on it being crowded. It is wise to mask. (I only took mine off to sample cheese curds.) There is outdoor dining space for safe eating, but it is pretty normal for there to be a strong breeze.

Accessibility: As traditional as going up the stairs is, there are elevators and the paths are clear and smooth. Navigation should not be difficult.

There are regularly placed benches (sometimes they look like cheese), but the parking lot itself is vast, so a drop-off may be advisable.

https://www.tillamook.com/visit-us/creamery

Sherwood, Oregon: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

Although the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge was first organized in 1992, recent improvements to the facilities in 2022 brought it to our attention.

On our first visit, the visitor's center was not open, but we have since been able to look around, and have been impressed with the displays.

As well as providing good information, there is also a strong interactive element that visitors can take with them, like keeping an eye out for invasive plant species.

They also have letters and artwork from visitors on display, increasing the feeling of involvement.

As you enter there is a board where visitors write the species they have recently seen.

That is always subject to change. I have seen this water full of birds, and almost empty.

Sadly, I have never been able to get a picture of any creature I have seen here before it moved. That is mostly a reflection on my photography skills, but also that you cannot (and should not) expect wildlife to cooperate.

The trees are more amenable, and sometimes they at least show hints of where animals have been. Notice the holes in this oak.

For trails there is a permanent 2-mile path, as well as some trails that are closed seasonally to protect breeding and nesting.

Trails are clearly marked, with occasional benches and signage for more information

This includes several "study sites" that may call for exploration of a specific plant community.

Mainly, sometimes it is just good to get outside and get moving.

COVID: Obviously, the majority of the activity is outside, and unlikely to be crowded.

Obviously it makes sense to mask inside the visitor center or in restrooms.

Accessibility: One thing I really appreciated was this sign outside the visitor center:

The grade and texture of the different trails is given so you can plan accordingly. Even when there are steps, there is a sloping trail available, with nothing being excessively steep.

That, along with the educational resources, should make it possible for anyone to enjoy their visit.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tualatin-river

New Story Walk at Plumper Pumpkin

Plumper Pumpkin has added some new activities.

Initially I was thinking that this was the earliest we had gone there during the year, but in fact, when we went on the safari back in 2020, that was in May.

https://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2020/05/plumper-pumpkin-farm-safari.html

That was an innovation spawned by COVID. Normally a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm is for later in the year.

But there's no reason that more can't be done in the spring.

People are looking for things to plant and the world is full of baby animals.

Children may be interested in pumpkin planting and the Farmer For A Day bundle, but as adults we just checked out the new story walk.

 This was the third story walk we've checked out, but the other two were on trails in parks.

The part was a little hard to follow. It does seem like starting by a playground is a good idea...

... but then it cuts around more toward the house, which seem counterintuitive.

The signs themselves came through vividly and were easily legible, but the path could have been clearer.

Numbering the signs was helpful, but I know I never found page 8. (I guess I am going to have to check out the book now.)

This is a new for them, and I expect there will be some modifications. That is not a reason not to visit.

For one thing, there is no charge for looking around, and I love their decorations.

There are still slides and duck races and whimsical settings.

And along with baby animals there are some pretty impressive full-grown ones.

COVID: Some of the activities could put you in close quarters, but everything is outside and open.

The closest thing to "inside" is the farm store, and even that is pretty well-ventilated.

Accessibility: That part does not seem like it would be quite as good, at least for the story walk part and probably the slides. The store is navigable, and I think the animal loop should be, but I am not sure about all of the trails.

Staff is very friendly, so ask if there are concerns.

Check for details about their spring calendar at the web site:

https://plumperpumpkins.com/