In just a few days, I embark on my biggest creative (ad)venture to date. I am remarkably centered in this incredible “everything-up-to-now-has-been-practice” kind of groove. I know I’m ready to tell this story and the zig-zaggy road that led here finally makes sense.
The 8 day trek covers 500+ miles, from the Willamette Valley south to Eugene and up the coast. Along the way I will visit 13 creameries and tape assorted interviews with cheesemakers from the Oregon Cheese Guild and food experts. A second trip to Bend and southern Oregon will follow in April.
The trip reprises a similar journey I took in the summer & fall of 2007. Max McCallman was visiting Oregon researching his book Mastering Cheese. My good friend and mentor David Gremmels of Rogue Creamery rallied for me to be part of the trip and it was an incredible adventure with two of my cheese heroes. I could hardly believe my luck. Videos from that trip are here.
Looking back on these segments, I cringe a little. Lighting, framing, sound & color issues, all on display. The artist in me picks it apart. But then I remember it’s about the learning process and the journey…and, really, it comes down to telling the story of the people I meet along the way as best I can. And I’ve never doubted my ability to do that.
Part of me is even toying with the idea of a story bigger than the :90 producer profiles will allow. Will I make a movie about cheese? Maybe so!
I’ll be making regular postings from the road and I hope you’ll follow along on this grand adventure at #OregonCheeseTrail. Departs March 10th!
Visits Include:
Portland Creamery
Goldin Artisan Goat Cheese
Briar Rose Creamery
Fairview Farm Dairy
Willamette Valley Cheese Company
Queseria Ochoa
La Mariposa
Fraga Farm
Ferns Edge Dairy
OSU Dairy
Rivers Edge Chevre
Tillamook Cheese
Quail Run Creamery
