Trip Report

Mmmmm good! Good food produced in the Willamette Valley was on display at the sixth year Food Trip, enjoyed by 24 Obsidians and friends. Our trip started at Camas Country Mill Store and Bakery where we enjoyed coffee and assorted goodies made from Camas Mill whole grain flours. Our coffee break was held in the old one room school house moved next to the bakery. Sue Hunton brought us up to date on growth at the farm and the mill. Our second stop was at the Rogue Farm near Independence. Hops, seen for miles, are growing in preparation for processing at the farm. This area was once the hop capitol and is growing again. We were given a description of the planting, growing, harvesting and processing of hops for the Rogue Brewery in Newport. This historic farm is at the end of the road beside the Willamette River. Then we were off to the Bauman Farm for lunch. Bauman’s, located near Gervais, is an Obsidian bus trips favorite. It is a wonderful plant nursery, garden store, bakery and fruit & vegetable stand. Lunch, provided by Bauman’s, was served in the garden among the beautiful hanging baskets. Obsidian berries were a special treat with lunch. The next stop, a few miles north in Hubbard, was the 90 year old Voget Meat Market. This award winning German meat operation provided samples which made it easy for shopping choices. Our final stop was in Aurora at the Pacific Hazelnut and Candy Company. Hazelnuts from the valley are processed on site. Nuts and quality chocolate products are the feature here. Our final treat was celebrating Marian West’s birthday with carrot cake. Riders had a “full” day, the eating was good! Thanks, once again, to Alice Krentz for taking great photos. Look for pictures from More Food VI in the “New” Gallery on the Obsidian website.