Tillamook Creamery, Cape Kiwanda, and the Devil’s Punchbowl

Tillamook Creamery

We had plenty of time before we needed to check into our hotel in Newport, so we made a side trip to the Tillamook Creamery.  The Tillamook Creamery is one of Oregon’s biggest tourist attractions and pulls in more than a million tourists every year. Tillamook county is home to many more cows than people. They are the foundation of the Tillamook County Creamery Association famous cheddar cheese and other dairy products that generate about $800 million.in annual sales. The Creamery was built to look like a barn with plenty of windows to let in the light. When you arrive at the front entrance, you are greeted by “Flower”, Tillamook’s award-winning show cow.

As we walked in, we were surprised at how many people were there and the majority were not wearing masks.  Shawn and I decided it would be a good idea to wear ours.  I guess Oregon had lifted all restrictions a few weeks before we arrived.  As we entered the building the first thing that caught our eye was the imitation cheese blocks overhead.

As you moved into the building, there is a farm exhibit, a viewing gallery, then the dining hall and finally a shop with all kinds of things to buy.  Along the way, you get a free cheese sample.

Cape Kiwanda

After our self-tour at the Creamery, we resumed our journey along the coast.  We made a short trip to Cape Kiwanda and took a few pictures.  It was cold and windy on the beach so I stayed at the entrance and Shawn went down to the beach.

Devil’s Punchbowl

The Devil’s Punchbowl is naturally carved in a rock headland which is partially open to the Pacific Ocean. Waves enter the bowl and vigorously churn, swirl and foam.  The bowl is located 8 miles north of Newport in the community of Otter Rock. We were surprised when we drove up to this small town and saw all the parked cars by the ocean.  We found a parking spot and got out to take a look.  High tide was in so people were peering over a fence to look down into Devil’s Punchbowl.  When the tide is out you can actually go inside and look up through the bowl, but not that day.  All the photos were taken from the top looking over a fence.

Next post brings us into Newport.