Salem Day One | A Little Cheese with Your Wine?

We have arrived at the Willamette Valley Cheese Co. for a little cheese tasting.  This was entirely new and quite enjoyable for us! Check out their list of cheese on their website.

We tried a dozen or more different cheeses—various flavors and ages of gouda, jack, fontina, etc.  Our tasting crew included, starting from the left: me, Ruth, Yvonne, Cindy and Aaron.

Ed joined us for wine tasting and a delicious picnic lunch.  We met him at the Wheatland Ferry.  He came across from Woodburn where he had been for a practice session at the Assembly Hall (of JW's). Aaron was playing "Japanese Tourist".  We often see them on the beach doing silly things for photos.

Very close to the Wheatland Ferry is Arcane Cellars at Wheatland Winery.  They had a very nice selection of wines and a lovely outdoor tasting area perfect for relaxing with friends.  We enjoyed it so much that we stayed—we didn't continue onto any other winery.

Later that evening, our friends, Dave and Jane generously hosted us for dinner (shown with Cindy, top left).  Jane put on a delicious Asian-style spread out on the patio.  Also joining us were Heath and Erin (top right).  We had two Aaron's and an Erin that night (little Aaron with Ed, bottom left).  After dinner we retired to the living room, looked at photos and chatted.  Ed and Dave sat in the cozy chair (bottom right).  Ed and Dave have been friends since childhood in Southern Oregon.