You eat and you drink every day, but with the exception of the FREE BEER tour at one of those national breweries, most people would rather eat and drink than know how it was made!!!!

Of course there are some foods you NEVER want to see produced … at least in their initial stages: hamburger, sausage, hot dogs … bologna!

But that’s not the case with milk or cheese.

For over 100 years, they’ve been milkin’ those cows, and makin’ that cheese on the central coast of Oregon. There’s not a cow in sight (you passed them on your way up Highway 101), but you’ll never see more Tillamook Cheese in one place than at the company’s visitors center in Tillamook, Oregon.

Tillamook Creamery & Visitors Center

If you think that only a few people would want to see someone making cheese, you’d lose that bet. On a recent rainy day, and Sunday morning at that, there was a full parking lot of cars and RVs outside of the huge modern blue and white building with the big yellow letters spelling “Tillamook Cheese” next to US 101.

Inside was a crowd that you would expect at a rock concert squeezed into the deceptively large interior. They were in the Gift Shop, lined up at the Ice Cream counter, sitting in the food court, standing in line sampling cheese and, most of all, standing around up on the second floor.

Workers on assembly lines produce the famous packaged Tillamook cheeses

From this level, glass surrounds two sides of the final processing area and across the hall one long line of glass lets you see where cream is turned into institutional sized large blocks of cheese, which are sent under you on a conveyor belt to the other side of the building.

Packing blocks of cheese

Unlike some manufacturing plants that have no production on the weekends, even though it was Sunday, the white-jacketed cheese making crew was busy running the machines that cut and package the large blocks of cheese that move down the conveyor belt. The area cows do not stop for a break on the weekends, and neither does the staff at the Tillamook Cheese factory.

I am sure they are painfully aware that hundreds of people are staring at them and taking pictures from the upstairs gallery.

There are lots of displays to look at explaining the history of the co-op and the cheese making process. When you leave the building you’ll definitely have a good education about the production of cheese and other allied products.

The Tillamook County Cheese Association

In 1909, the Tillamook County Creamery Association was formed by a group of 10 independent cheese plants in the county. As of today the co-op is owned and operated by about 110 family-owned dairy farms. They milk the cows, make the rules and share the profits.
Pasteurization Vs. Heat-Shock

An interesting note came to light during the self-guided tour …

With the exception of the specialty and flavored cheeses (i.e. Colby, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Garlic, Pepper Jack, etc.) the basic Tillamook Cheddar and Swiss cheeses are not pasteurized.

After a special process called heat-shocking, (info can be found on the company Web site), cheddar and Swiss sold to the public must be cured (aged) for a minimum of 60 days prior to their sale. This time frame meets the U.S. government standard.

60-day aged cheese becomes a “Medium,” as seen on its distinctive yellow packaging. Any further aging is packaged as:

Vintage White Medium: 100 days
Sharp: 9 months (minimum)
Extra Sharp: 15 months (minimum)
Vintage White Extra Sharp: 2 years (minimum)

There is even a 3 Year Vintage White Extra Sharp available.

Ice Cream Counter

With 38 flavors of ice cream manufactured and sold at retail by the Tillamook company, the visitors center is the only place you can find all of the flavors under one roof. There are even seasonal and special flavors that crop up over the year.

The two lines are long on this weekend waiting for the beehive of local kids behind the counter to fill their cups or handmade waffle cones with flavors such as:
Bubble Gum, German Chocolate Cake, Lemon Blueberry Pie, Marionberry Pie, Mountain Huckleberry, Pumpkin, Root Beer Float, White Licorice
And my favorite names: Tilla-Mint & Udderly Chocolate

Farmhouse Café

Okay, let me guess! If I were to open a café in a cheeeeeeese factory, what would my major ingredient be for most of the meals?

Ah, ah …… wait, I’ll get it …. Ah …

How about …

Ham & CHEESE …

Omelet with CHEESE …

CHEESEburger …

Salads with shredded CHEESE …

And believe it or not … they even went out on a limb and took a chance by putting a slice of cheese between two pieces of bread … and GRILLED IT!

Yes, you to can purchase a Tillamook Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Now, if they only served wine!

A Few Final Thoughts

According to a quote in the viewing area, the people at the Tillamook Creamery suggest:

“Only serve our cheese on special occasions – Like times when you eat.”

So, if you like cheese and ice cream, the Tillamook Creamery Visitors Center is nothing less than FUN! And …

Historic equipment on display in lobby

It’s Free!

(Unless you walk out of the place with a handful of postcards or a T-shirt with a cow on it, six different kinds of cheese, a gallon of ice cream, and, an ice cream cone along with your Grilled Cheese Sandwich!)

Then, it’s no longer free. But, don’t look at me, I had nothing to do with that!

http://www.tillamookcheese.com/

HOURS

Daily
Labor Day through mid-June
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mid-June through Labor Day
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

ADMISSION

FREE!!!

Tillamook Oregon Visitors Info

http://www.tillamookchamber.org/

Tomorrow… Come back to learn about an amazing use for a mountain

By Guest Author Peggy Bradshaw

Photos by George Bradshaw

I can’t decide if I have a favorite RV park or not. There are many that I like because of different reasons. Most RV Parks and campgrounds have their own Web sites, complete with pictures for viewing.

One of my favorite parks is the Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD, not only for its location but for its beauty and amenities. It is the closest RV Park to Washington, DC, and tour buses leave daily for tours of the DC area and bring you back.The park itself is tree-lined with great interior roads and parking spaces, and has a spacious clubhouse with a pool, and a deli with great and inexpensive food. The general store is well stocked with things you might need for your rig and souvenirs to take home.

The Rocky Top Campground in Kingsport, TN is built in the woods on a mountainside; however, the parking spaces are easily accessible to park your rig. We were there in August and it was cool. The general store is very quaint looking but is well stocked, and the owner is very personable and makes you feel welcome. They also have cabins for rent.

To find the Tom Sawyer’s Mississippi River Park takes a little bit of wandering through the woods on a dirt road, but is worth the effort. Our space was about fifty feet from the Mississippi River and we watched the tugboats hauling barges up and down the river in the evening. You would never know you were right across the river from the big city of Memphis. They have laundry facilities in case you want to stay for a while and watch the river go by.

Cross Creek Camping Resort near Columbus, Ohio

The Cross Creek Camping Resort is right next to the Cross Creek State Park so don’t get the two confused. This is a roomy RV Park with trees and barbeque pits at every site. The general store has everything you could want in it. Most parks have pools and saunas and this one is no exception.

The Shady Pines RV Park in Texarkana, TX comes with its own lake with a fountain in the middle and also has conference facilities in case your RV club wants to hold a rendezvous there. It has paved interior roads and the parking spots are cement. It is out of the way from the interstate, but easy to find.

The Liberty Harbor Marina and RV Park is located in Jersey City, across the river from New York City. You can schedule a tour of the city in the park office and the tour bus will pick you up at the entrance. It is also right next to the ferry landing to NYC in case you want to go into the city. It is the closest park to the city and the Statue of Liberty is easily spotted.

Niagara Falls RV Park

The Niagara Falls Campground and Lodging is located six miles from the falls and is the closest campground to the falls in the U.S. They have large, level and shaded sites with a large pool and picnic tables at each site. Don’t worry about what to do with your rig while you visit the falls as the parking lots in the area of the falls all have designated parking spaces for your RV.

Every RV Park and Campground is unique. They all take reservations, which is the recommended way to go. They all knew we were coming and were ready for us.

Tomorrow – Return tomorrow to visit Mt Vernon, George Washington’s home

When Gold was discovered in the Klondike in 1896 and a ton of gold arrived in Seattle in 1897, the gold rush was on! Everyone rushed to the goldfields through Chilkoot Pass. It was six hundred miles over treacherous and dangerous trails and waterways. Another trail was developed through White Pass and this became the route of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad.

White Pass and Yukon Railroad on its Climb to the Klondike Photo by George Bradshaw

The White Pass & Yukon route climbs from sea level in Skagway to almost 3,000 feet at the Summit in just about 20 miles and features steep grades of almost 3.9%. The tight curves of the White Pass called for a narrow gauge – a ten foot wide road bed with the rails three feet apart. Construction began in the spring of 1898, reached the Summit in February of 1899, and was completed in 1900. The railroad is 110 miles long, ending in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. The railroad overcame great odds to be completed and was designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1994.

The scenic trip starts in Skagway and follows the route that the miners took to the goldfields of the Klondike, passing Gold Rush Cemetery, resting place for early Skagway residents; the Denver Glacier Trail, a favorite hike that leads to the base of the glacier; Brackett Road, an early toll road leading across White Pass; Bridal Veil Falls, a 6,000-foot waterfall originating from the glaciers; and Glacier Station, once a stop for thirsty steam engines on the uphill grade.

There are two tunnels on the route. The yawning chasm of Glacier Gorge disappears into Tunnel Mountain, 1,000 feet above the floor of the gulch. The second tunnel is 675 feet long and was built in 1969, and a new bridge was constructed to replace the old steel bridge. When constructed in 1901, the old steel bridge was the tallest cantilevered bridge in the world.

When the train leaves the tunnel, you can see remnants of the old Trail of ’98, a primary route from Skagway to the goldfields.

White Pass Summit is 2,865 feet above sea level and is located at the U.S. – Canadian Border. At Bennett, B.C., you leave the train and return to Skagway via a comfortable motor coach, with plenty of stops for photo opportunities.

The WP&YR not only operates for the benefit of the tourists who come to ride the adventurous railroad, but it also serves as a supply route for the remote towns in the Yukon. The railroad pioneered the use of container cars to move goods over the mountains and down to the sea. The White Pass spirit lives on today.

Next week: More on Los Angeles

A whale watch is a rare and exciting experience that provides views of our fellow mammal, the whale. In Alaska, The whale watch tour we took began in Auke Bay at the marina and traveled through the Saginaw Channel to the Lynn Canal, the main summer feeding waters of the humpback whale. You are always assured of seeing at least one whale, and seeing just one is a rarity.

At times you can spot a group of whales “bubble-netting” a school of fish, bunching the fish together to ensure easy pickings for the whale. They swiftly rise from the bottom to breech above the surface to take their fill and to take turns feeding. Humpback whales can consume as much as a ton of krill and small fish per day in the summer. They migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of Southeast Alaska in the summer after having fasted all winter and then returning to the warm waters of Hawaii and Mexico in the winter to breed.

In Alaska, outside of Juneau, we chose Allen’s Marine with their fleet of catamarans, specially designed to navigate Southeast Alaska’s passages for our whale watching adventure. They are equipped with water jets and are fast, but stable. Large wraparound windows allow for maximum visibility and the large cabin keeps you toasty warm and comfortable while you are watching for the wildlife that lives in the water in and around Alaska. You can capture wildlife on film from inside the cabin or you can go up to the top deck, which is open for easy viewing from all sides.

Sea Lions sunning Photo by George Bradshaw

Along the way are picturesque lighthouses, such as the one at Point Retreat. Watch the buoys as you go by as they are a favorite places for sea lions to sun themselves. They are also a favorite perch for bald eagles as they scan the water for their prey of fish. The eagles’ nests can be spotted in the tall trees along the shoreline.

North Pass, between Lincoln and Shelter Islands is a favorite hangout for the Orca (killer whale) and they like to prey on the sea lions. The Orca is hard to spot because all that is usually showing above the water is their tall, thin dorsal fin. A sharp eye is required to spot them. You can also find Harbor Seals and Dall’s Porpoises in this area.

The whale and wildlife quest tour lasts about three hours and is well worth the money and time. We have taken the tour twice and have not been disappointed either time.

Tomorrow – A Trip in Time to Skagway, Alaska

Ketchikan, referred to as “Alaska’s First City,” is the first port of call for all the cruise lines. Because the cruise lines are the lifeblood of the town, the store’s hours in downtown are “whenever the ships are in port.”

World-famous for the abundance of incredible totem poles in the region, Ketchikan is also known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The amazing thing about Ketchikan is that there are no roads into it from the outside world. Everything must be brought in by boat, ferry or plane – even the garbage truck that reads “Satisfaction Guaranteed or Double Your Garbage Back.”

Located about 650 miles north of Seattle, Ketchikan is approximately a half-mile wide and seven miles long with a population of approximately 13,000.

Totems and other talents

The Tlingit people originally settled the area as a summer fishing camp. The town’s name comes from a Tlingit phrase meaning “eagle with spread-out wings.” Rich in Indian heritage, the Haida, the Tlingit and Tsinshiam are all a part of the city’s colorful history.

Totem Carving in Ketchikan Photo by George Bradshaw

A visit to Saxman Village was the highlight of our time in Ketchikan. During the short bus ride from town, our guide gave us a running dialogue about Ketchikan, the area, and the Native Indians in the area. Saxman Village has the largest gathering of totem poles in the world and the meanings of the figures on the poles were explained, and also how some of the poles came to be carved. This spectacular collection is the site of Tlingit carvings from abandoned towns and cemeteries of the towns and villages in the area.

A short informative video about the culture and history of the clan and the village, shown in a decorative hall, was first on the agenda. Then we were entertained at the Beaver Clan House with dance and song by local inhabitants in full native attire. The public was invited to participate in the final song and dance, and some brave souls willingly gave it a try. We also visited the Carving Center to see the master carvers at work in creating new poles and carvings and restoring others.

A visit to the gift shop helped us discover items and books to learn more about the village and its people. A walk through the forest surrounding the village introduced us to plants and trees native to the area.

Returning to Ketchikan, we toured Creek Street, the city’s famous former red-light district, which is now a shopping area full of art galleries and unique shops. Also in town, you can see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show which pits teams against each other in lumberjacking skills such as log rolling, axe throwing and tree climbing. There was so much to do in Ketchikan and so little time to do it!

Come back tomorrow for a whale watch!

I was amazed at the size of the big white ship docked at Vancouver, B.C. We had flown in and were ready to board for our 7-day cruise through the famous Alaskan Inside Passage. Traveling with two other couples, we had mini-suites with balconies side by side on the Dolphin Deck, Deck 9.

Cruising from Vancouver Photo by George Bradshaw

To allow for easier visiting, the steward opened up the partitions between the balconies of our cabins. The Sapphire Princess is 946 feet long with a breadth at its widest deck of 136 feet. At full sea speed, it can reach over 22 knots. It can accommodate over 2600 guests with a crew of over 1100.

The cabins were roomy with a queen size bed, TVs, a sofa, a chair, walk-in closet and full bath with tub and shower. The whole ship was beautifully decorated and the cabins were no exception.

The dining rooms, serving world-class cuisine, offered a choice of many entrees, including a menu for vegetarians. The wait staff was excellent.

North to Alaska

We set sail from Vancouver, B.C. and made our way up the inside passage to the southeast region of Alaska. Our cruise lasted seven days and included ports of call in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. We also cruised Glacier Bay and College Fiord. At each port of call, there were many shore excursions to choose from or we could wander through the streets and explore on our own.

While at sea there were so many activities provided, it was hard to choose. One of the more popular spots on board was the casino, which was open only when we were at sea. The spa offered relaxing massages after a hard day at play.

Professional entertainment was offered every evening in the theater, the many lounges and clubs on board. A talented group of singers and dancers presented Las Vegas-type shows, and comedians and dance bands featured all types of music. Whatever our preference, it was there.

Our final destination was the port of Whittier, Alaska, where we disembarked to begin land tours or to fly home from Anchorage. We had traveled 1,673 nautical miles since leaving Vancouver.

Even on the days when it was drizzly and the sun didn’t shine all that much, the whole experience was wonderful. I know that this won’t be our last cruise; we are all eager to cruise again.

Tomorrow: Ketchikan connections

A sense of wonder is truly important when exploring the natural world. When you visit Kartchner Caverns, you will be amazed at how nature performs.  A drive south of Tucson, Arizona leads you to an eye-opening display where colors and formations dazzle you underground.

Kartchner Caverns entrance

Over millions of years, the stalactites and stalagmites built up by the steady dripping of water with calcite deposits (remains from prehistoric times) develops into the intricate and gorgeous formations.  The colors and variations are due to water, wind, terrain, humidity and the earth’s shifting.

Taking a tour of Kartchner Caverns (tours are required and there is a fee), provides the opportunity to see these formations with a knowledgeable guide from the Arizona Parks Department or a well-trained volunteer.

Kartchner Caverns - Flowstone and Stalactites -© Arizona State Parks

Taking a tour

During the spring and summer, only the Rotunda Room tour is available because other inhabitants (bats!) are living in the Throne Room.  However, the Rotunda Tour is still very satisfying, a 1 ½ hour trip below ground that is very organized and regimented, but extremely informative. 

Before the tour, prepare to place any possessions in a locker or leave them in your vehicle. That includes cameras, cell phones, water bottles, handbags and other equipment.  Lockers are provided that require four quarters.  Be prepared.  They are very strict about this.  Technically, cell phones are not allowed, either. (You won’t get a signal, so just as well to leave it in the locker).

At a gathering place outside of the very modern visitors’ center, twenty or so people start each tour with a tour guide to explain the rules –

1.    Don’t touch any of the formations! 

2.    Put your hand on the rail and step back a step!

3.    Don’t touch! (That was repeated – often.)

Then, a tram ride led everyone to the entrance area to the caves.  Mustered inside, we were alerted to the fact that we would be sprayed so we did not bring lint into the cave, which affects the formations.

The gigantic rooms of the cavern have winding pathways, constructed to prevent damage in the rest of the caves.  They follow the original explorers’ paths. (More on the cave discovery later.)

Kartchner Stalactites and other formations - © Arizona State Parks

A living cave

Kartchner is a “living” cave in that it is still growing.  Inexorably, drop-by-drop, formations still have water dripping to develop more and bigger formations.

The tour guide details how even one touch from a finger puts oils on the surface of the formation, causing a deviation in the track of the water.  Scrupulous efforts are made to remove any evidence of man’s visits so the water can do its wonders.

Formations

Flowstone, walls of living crystal, is gorgeous evidence of eons of water seepage.  The tour guide points out a formation where you can see the crystals, but, mostly, the surfaces look smooth.

“Soda straw” formations are very thin, hollow formations that start from the ceiling and drip down to the floor.  There is one that is 21 feet long!

Stalactites suspend from the ceiling (“C” – ceiling).

Stalagmites come up from the ground (“G” – ground).

Bacon – it really looks like bacon!

Drapery – there is a curve that makes the formation look like an elegant drapery.

We were challenged to come back when one soda straw met its ground connection.  Based on the miniscule growth per year, I figured that we’d need to return in 72,000 years! If we could also find the Fountain of Youth on the premises, I’d be glad to make that reunion!

Kartchner - "Soda straws" - © Arizona State Parks

Finding the Caverns

An intrepid caver, Randy Tufts and another caver first found evidence of the cave in 1967.  Tufts returned with Gary Tenen in 1974 and began exploration.  The caverns they found after negotiating a 200-foot tunnel stunned them. 

Bringing their discovery to the lands’ owners, they worked to keep the discovery secret so it wouldn’t be destroyed by inconsiderate visitors. The owners decided the best thing to do would be to sell the land to the State, so they could protect it.

That whole process was kept as secret as a massive purchase and law could be to prevent the vandalism they had found in the entrance to the caves.

Finally, after many years, the caves were readied as a state park and opened to the public in 1999.

Traveling to the Caverns

The roads lead easily from the Tucson, Arizona area.  Reservations ahead of time are strongly recommended.  Until early September there is a discount on tickets.

The tours leave every twenty minutes or so and are small groups.

A small theater offers an informational film that provides background on the cave and its discovery. 

If you are not afraid of being below ground – it is big and expansive, not a tight, small cave – this travel experience is highly recommended.  It is one of the top 10 caves in the world for its views and formations. (Some of the top 10 are not even open to the public.)

azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/

Names familiar to many American schoolchildren – Paul Revere, John Adams and others – resided in Boston or the nearby area.

Paul Revere statue

Paul Revere, known for his “midnight ride” to warn that the “British were coming” is immortalized in Boston, in his former home, by a statue and other monuments (and even a mall.)

To give visitors a chance to see much of the early days of struggle to independence, the “Freedom Trail” takes travelers on a walk that encompasses “burying grounds” with luminaries like Revere’s grave on view, the location of the Boston Massacre, the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill and other spots in between. Be an intrepid walker to make it the full distance, but see what you can and take public transportation to the rest.

Paul Revere's gravesite in Boston

The most commanding view and the most demanding physically to see the view is to climb the Bunker Hill Monument (294 steps – no elevator – Pant! Gasp! Choke!), with its narrow steps. At this location, which is Breed’s Hill, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War took place.

Bunker Hill Monument - yes it's very tall! with 294 steps and no elevator

Boston Harbor and "Old Ironsides" from the narrow window of Bunker Hill Monument -See "Old Ironsides" - The USS Constitution - in the lower right

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” was supposedly said by the US commander, Colonel William Prescott, as the British advanced. The US forces did not win that battle, but they acquitted themselves well enough to be heartened to go on and ultimately to win a long war and the independence which has worked fairly well for over 200 years.

Boston definitely has the goods as far as authentic places to see. There’s Paul Revere’s home – he was a noted blacksmith – where he lived for 30 years. The USS Constitution – “Old Ironsides” – the only frigate never to lose a battle, is on view and can be boarded. There’s also a museum affiliated with Old Ironsides.

Old South Meeting House, where the colonists decided to oppose the tea tax and hold the “Boston Tea Party,” is part of the Freedom Trail. And, Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market are also part of the Freedom Trail. They’ll mostly (see yesterday’s blog) free you of some cash as you enjoy a meal or some serious shopping, but fun nonetheless.

You will have no trouble finding souvenirs to bring home of your foray into American freedom. (Probably no more than anywhere else that has noteworthy sites to view, but ignore all that and just get into the history.)

 
And, there is a lot of US history on view in Boston. Enjoy the settings and remind yourself that a commitment to philosophy lead to a long struggle, many battles and, finally, the country you see today.

Happy Birthday, USA!

I’m very patriotic, so I wanted to share some views of one of my favorite US cities.

 
As the old song by Dave Loggins goes, “Please come to Boston….” You’ll enjoy yourself.

See this link for National Park Service information on free tours of Boston. 

http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

Come back tomorrow for a visit to Washington, DC!

If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area, a fun diversion and a good place to grab a meal is at the Queen Creek Olive Mill. For locavores – those who want their foods grown near where they are eating them – the Queen Creek Olive Mill fits the bill.

Ten years ago, Perry Rea planted 1,500 olive trees as a hobby. Now, the hobby has grown to a full-time business, which attracts visitors from all of the U.S. and Canada.

Perry Rea with one of his many olive trees

What the tourists are coming to see is a working olive mill, which produces some of the finest olive oil in the world. They don’t try to compete with the others, but sell their “boutique” olive oils and products online and in their store.

Making olive oil

Taking a tour of the olive mill, (tour price – $5), visitors are shown the process by which the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is produced. Rea or one of the tour guides explains the distinctions between the six types of olive oil grades.

Meeting strict standards, the finest grade, EVOO, does not use solvents or heat to extract the oil from the olives. Only a mechanical process is used, involving a centrifuge and several steps that result in one ounce every ten seconds flowing from a stainless steel pipe. The oil is processed 18 hours a day, six days a week over a three-month period. Bottling, using traditional, square Italian bottles, is done rapidly so the EVOO is the freshest possible.

Rea demonstrates how oil is extracted from olives

As master blender, Rea decides on the mix of olive types used in the production and flavorings used in oils and special olives. Rea’s wife and daughter have also developed a line of bath and beauty products incorporating their olive oil. All of these items are available on the premises at the store, as well as other locally made products. Gift packaging and shipping are available.

Many varieties of olives are available

On the tour, I learned that canned black olives, which I’ve loved since childhood, are made with lye! I will not be eating that variety again. Rea explains that the lye is a shortcut used by the commercial olive canners to cure the olives. Rea at Queen Creek Olive Mill cures his olives naturally, which takes 60 days.

Eating well with olives

Also part of the venture is the Del Piero restaurant that serves locally grown and produced foods. Their “Del Piero” olive assortment has five different varieties served with each sandwich, panini, soup or salad. Breakfast is also available.

Meant to evoke a Tuscan eatery, the concrete floor and plastic basket service belies the quality of the food, which is flavorful, fresh and local. Rea’s mantra is “local, local, local.” For instance, pistachio nuts are grown by St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, Arizona (less than 50 miles away), bread is baked daily in Phoenix, and goat cheese comes from Strawberry, Arizona. Even gelato, available in an array of flavors, is made locally.

And as a good steward of the environment, the restaurant uses plastic glasses made from corn that are biodegradable! They recycle in every way possible and have recycle bins in their restaurant.

A panini sandwich, the “Pendolino,” was crunchy and luscious with mushrooms, caramelized onions, squash and other fresh ingredients on rosemary focaccia bread. One of the soups of the day was a tomato basil soup, hearty on flavor, garnished with fresh basil. A “Kalamata” sandwich heaped with two salamis and pork, again locally grown, was rich, melt-in-your-mouth savory on ciabatta bread. Sandwich, soup, antipasto and bruschetta prices range from $4.29 to $8.99.

On another visit, I tried their potato cream cheese soup – as decadent and delicious as it sounds! The paninis are consistently great with homemade “crema” dressings.

See recipe below for one of their family favorites. 

Has Rea been successful? Definitely! He’s planting an additional 1,000 olive trees.

To visit Queen Creek Olive Mill –

Hours (which include breakfasts) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See their Web site at www.queencreekolivemill.com for directions or to order products for shipping. Phone (480) 888-9290.

Recipe

From the Rea’s family favorites:

Chicken with Olives and White Wine Sauce

This is a very quick and easy dish.

Yield: 4 servings

* 4 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless
* 4 tbsp QCOM Chili Olive Oil
* 1/3 cup capers, chopped
* 5 garlic cloves, minced
* 1/2 cup QCOM Jalapeno Mexican Lime Stuffed Olives, chopped
* 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
* 1 1/2 cups white wine
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Heat oil in the pot. Add the chicken. Brown for 10-12 minutes, making sure it doesn’t stick to the pot or burn. Turn as needed. Add chopped capers, garlic and olives. Add the white wine and chicken broth to the pot. Stir and simmer 3-5 minutes. Cover the pot and allow chicken to fully cook in the sauce. Add parsley and serve on a bed of pasta, polenta, rice or with a salad.

Christmas Carol train

Motion capture animated film production techniques are on display juxtaposed with artifacts from Charles Dickens’ times. The result is a series of memorable displays, some interactive.

Traveling to Williams, Arizona, one of 40 stops on the train’s cross country schedule, I was fortunate enough to see the train and not wait more than 40 minutes to get onboard. At the entrance to the line, the sign said 45 minutes, so Disney delivered. (One of the Disney officials, who was walking the queue, confided that the line in Los Angeles had been a five-hour wait. So, we were fortunate. He likened the new movie to “Polar Express on steroids.”)

While in line, children were given activity sheets and “tattoos’ (temporary in a candy cane motif) and carolers sang holiday songs dressed in costumes appropriate to the mid-1800s. Fake snow blew from a disguised brick column and the attitude of everyone seemed to be excited and festive.

Christmas Carolers in Williams, Arizona

When we finally had our turn to enter the four train cars decked out in Christmas Carol décor (both the movie launching in November and items from the original Charles Dickens collection – on loan from the Dickens Museum in London), no one was rushing us to move through the exhibit. We could see period costumes, screens showing different aspects of the movie with interviews of the director and several actors and Dickens artifacts.

Woman's dress, circa mid-1800s

Disney used extremely realistic-looking images of old London to create the backgrounds for the movie.  Dickens would probably have found the locations recognizable.

Of course, there was a lot of space given to the wizardry of Disney’s efforts to morph Jim Carrey and the cast for the new Christmas Carol 3-D film, but the displays were engaging and the self-promotion not overwhelming.

Jim Carrey morphed as a young Scrooge

Carrey morphed as a teenaged Scrooge

(I’m a fan of Dickens’ work and was delighted to see an inkwell, original books and letters in his handwriting. They were in a display case, but were very exciting for a college English major – who studied Dickens for a full course – to examine.)

After reviewing the exhibits and displays, everyone had the opportunity to “morph” themselves into one of three characters in Christmas Carol. My terminal had technical difficulties, so we moved to another one and tried again. The second time, I was able to morph my face into a female, cherubic looking version of Mr. Bob Cratchit, and still look like myself.  Supposedly, we will have the image sent to us via e-mail from Wal-Mart.

After the train

Disney believes in giving great entertainment value.  So, after we finished looking at the train, we joined another line so that we could see “sneak peeks” of cuts of the actual movie using 3-D glasses. If you’ve never experienced 3-D before, it can be a weird feeling, as if things are coming at you off the screen. It was a more satisfying motion capture effort than Polar Express. The story is still the same as the original Dickens work, but Disney worked with great technical expertise to put the film on a new level for animation.

Clay masks - maquettes - of actors Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman

Jim Carrey and the other actors are certainly recognizable, but what we’re seeing is animated versions of the actors who actually performed their roles. Using barebones sets so they would have boundaries that coincided with the filmed sets, the “action” was “captured” and turned into animated film characters. We get to see both young and old versions of Jim Carrey, due to morphing, a fascinating exercise in aging.

Actors performing for motion capture

I’m not sure I would wait in line for 5 hours as they did in LA to see the exhibits, but I enjoyed the experience. If anyone has the chance to see The Christmas Carol train “in a city near you,” I recommend the free experience.

Forty cities will have visits from the train in the months until early November, as the train travels to both coasts and through the heartland of the United States. You can find additional information about the train at:

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/christmascaroltraintour/

Tomorrow, more on our visit to Williams, Arizona.