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Harry & David Orchard Tour

October 12, 2012 by Julie 85 Comments

That feeling is back. That feeling I get every time I find myself in the mountains when the leaves are changing.

lithia park

It’s a feeling that bubbles up inside of me and one that makes me stop to enjoy life and breathe in my surroundings.

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It’s also the feeling that reignites my desire to live near mountains one day. To  experience the seasons, pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and trail mix and set out on day-long hikes with Ryan and Sadie.

Oregon captured my heart today. It’s a stunning place and I feel so, so fortunate to be able to spend time in the state during such a gorgeous time of year.

I, along with the group of bloggers on the Harry & David tour, am staying at the Magnolia Inn, the most charming little bed and breakfast in Jacksonville, a small, picturesque town located just outside of Ashland.

magnolia inn jacksonville

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If you happen to be close by and are looking for a fantastic place to stay with lots of character for a romantic weekend away or a quiet girls’ trip, I cannot recommend this family-owned place enough.

magnolia inn jacksonville oregon

I think Abby, the owner’s dog, would agree!

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There’s a sense of warmth from family-run bed and breakfasts that simply cannot be duplicated by a hotel. An afternoon snack of warm pecan chocolate chip cookies and milk? I was so impressed.

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The first official day of the Harry & David blogger trip kicked off after breakfast.

harry and david bloggers

(This picture is Sandy’s picture from the Wednesday night’s dinner, but it’s the only group picture I have so far and wanted be sure to share the links to everyone’s blogs with you guys since I know many of you love reading food blogs as much as I do! From left to right in the top row: Brenda, Brian, Heather and Matt. Bottom row, left to right: Carrie, Sandy, Dara, Gaby, me, Aggie and Maggy.) 

Our group boarded a bus bound for the famous pear orchards a little after 8 a.m. and arrived to a beautiful spread of freshly cut pears and Honeycrisp apples, mixed nuts, endive topped with local blue cheese, coffee and the most unbelievable spiced apple cider tea. (I’m sorry I couldn’t find a direct link to it on the Harry & David website, but I Googled it and found it on Amazon. )

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Rumor has it we should have time to do a little shopping tomorrow and I plan to stock up on that tea. When they brewed the tea for us, they added a splash of sparkling apple cider at the end. The apple cider flavor was spot-on and it was the perfect cozy, autumn drink. I could not stop raving about it!

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During our time at the orchards, we learned a lot about pears and the harvesting process from Matt Borman, the orchard director for Harry & David.

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The winter pears for Harry & David’s holiday gift baskets were already picked for the season, but the orchards were still so picturesque. I was surprised to learn that winter pear picking occurs when the fruit is mature, not ripe and the pears ripen after they’re picked. Nearly 700 tons of pears are picked by hand per day during harvest. It was interesting to learn about all the time and attention that goes into ensuring that perfect pears find their way into the gift baskets. They even use a water flume to prevent unnecessary handling and potential bruising. (We asked if we could ride the water flume and got shut down.)

Our second tour of the day occurred a short drive away at the Harry & David chocolate factory.

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The lead chocolatier for Harry & David is a third-generation chocolatier named Charlie, which is all-too-perfect. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

Charlie told us a bunch of fun facts about chocolate, candy and baked goods made at the factory.

harry and david factory

When they’re making chocolate truffles, the factory can produce 120,000 to 130,000 truffles within 16 hours. Efficient and delicious!

And their beloved Moose Munch popcorn?

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100 pounds of Moose Munch popcorn is popped per hour at the factory. It smelled incredible. Buttery and indulgent!

My favorite part of the factory tour occurred when we had the opportunity to try some different kinds of dark chocolate and dip our own pears into pink chocolate.

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Carrie was my chocolate-making buddy!

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We all left the chocolate factory in a sugary daze and headed to lunch in Ashland. More on that later!

Thanks so much to Harry & David for such a memorable and delicious day!

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I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Blogger Meet Ups, Travel Tagged With: bloggers, chocolate, Harry & David, Oregon, pears, travel

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    October 12, 2012 at 2:36 am

    Why didn’t you talk about how your phone started playing music on your phone during our tour? 😉 Seriously, though… this is a great recap of today (and bravo for doing it so quickly!)

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      are you trying to say you didn’t enjoy hearinig a liltte rendition of “say a little prayer for you” in the orchards? 🙂

      Reply
      • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

        October 12, 2012 at 8:53 pm

        oh my gosh, i cannot type.

        Reply
  2. Molly says

    October 12, 2012 at 2:54 am

    Oooh I hope you get a chance to try some of Harry & David’s coffee. It’s so good!

    Reply
  3. Lauren @ Sugar Coated Sisters says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:02 am

    I’ve always wondered where they get those perfect pears from! I’m surprised they pick them so early, but whatever they’re doing, it works….

    Reply
  4. jackie r says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:04 am

    ahhh lithia park! i’m getting nostalgic for my home town. i hope you’re enjoying the beauty of southern oregon.

    Reply
  5. Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:21 am

    Such a fun day! It’s been great spending this time with awesome bloggers such as yourself. You are totally amazing blogging this trip real-time. You are inspiring. 🙂

    Here’s to another great Rogue Valley adventure tomorrow.

    Heather

    Reply
  6. Heidi kokborg says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:53 am

    Magnolia Inn looks so adorable! So cute and beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    October 12, 2012 at 6:10 am

    Oh my goodness, this looks unbelievable! Oregon is one of the places at the top of my to-travel-to list. I’ve heard great things and this B&B you visited confirms them all!

    Reply
  8. Presley @ Run Pretty says

    October 12, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Aaaaand I’m off to book a trip to the mountains. I seriously get butterflies when I see the leaves change. It’s exciting to me, haha. I’ve never been to Oregon, but it seems so beautiful!

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      me too!!

      Reply
  9. Erica says

    October 12, 2012 at 6:35 am

    What an amazing opportunity! I love ‘field trips’ like this 🙂

    Reply
  10. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    October 12, 2012 at 6:41 am

    Ah, this looks like so much fun! I’ve never been to Oregon before, but the scenery looks beautiful.

    Reply
  11. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    October 12, 2012 at 7:39 am

    Oregon looks absolutely beautiful! I love the fall foliage. So pretty. 🙂 I’m so jealous that you had a tour of the orchard. It looked like an incredible day!

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:06 am

    It does look beautiful!! Are those hearts chocolates? They look like fruit. I may have to order some of those! Make sure you tell us what they are!!

    Reply
  13. Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:24 am

    Your photo of Lithia Park entrance about made me cry. I miss it so much! I hiked through that park a few times a week for the last few years.

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      i wish i lived nearby. it looked like it was out of a movie.

      Reply
  14. Becka @ simplybecka says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:25 am

    What a fun trip, you get to go on the best trips. Looks like a really nice place. That bed and breakfast is so cute. Thanks for the recommend. Have a great weekend. ^_^

    Reply
  15. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:33 am

    I absolutely love the mountains and feel the same way – I see myself living out there one day. It’s hard to leave where you are though, Chicago has grown on me! And um, the chocolate factory!?!? Haha every girl’s dream!

    Reply
  16. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Touring a chocolate factory with a guy named Charlie? That is just too perfect…now I have the urge to watch that movie :-p

    Reply
  17. Brittany says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Oregon is by far my favorite state on the west coast! It is absolutely breathtaking. If you are at all near, stop by the pacific coast! Beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Nicole says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:48 am

    That all just sounds amazing. And makes me want some Moose Munch.

    The Kidless Kronicles

    Reply
  19. Jenica says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Wow it looks so beautiful there! I am very jealous of the trip. I love Harry & David fruit.

    Reply
  20. Michelle says

    October 12, 2012 at 8:54 am

    That place looks amazing! I’m totally loving Autumn (or Fall as you guys call it!) The chill in the air, the crisp colourful leaves and finally some bright skies in Ireland! 🙂 That pear looks amazing btw!

    Reply
  21. Alexa @ Southern Living, Our Way says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:00 am

    You had me at Spiced Apple Cider Tea!!! I’m in love with all thing apple cider this time of year {or year-round, let’s be real here} and can’t think of a more picturesque setting in which to enjoy it! Have a blast on your trip 🙂

    Reply
  22. Joelle (On a Pink Typewriter) says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Breathtaking views! Nothing like the west.:)

    Reply
  23. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:11 am

    How fun!!

    Reply
  24. Kelly @ Kelly the Culinarian says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:17 am

    They really do have the best pears in the world!

    Reply
  25. Heather @ Run Eat Play says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Looks awesome! I’ve only had a Harry and David pear once and it was amazing! I love the pink pear!

    Reply
  26. Ellee says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:39 am

    I know EXACTLY the feeling you are talking about Julie! I get the same thing when I am in the moutains (especially in Wyoming). Its almost like you feel like “ahhhh, i’m home.” Oregon looks amazing! I definitely am going to order some of that apple spiced tea! Those Harry and David baskets are the BEST gifts for Christmas or other occasions. Excited to see more pictures of your trip!

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:55 pm

      i would LOVE to visit wyoming. i bet it’s gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Ellee says

        October 13, 2012 at 3:30 pm

        You MUST go!!! My husband and I just got married a month ago in Jackson Hole. You guys should make a trip this summer or next fall! That is the best time to go!

        Reply
  27. Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets says

    October 12, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Yum! That all looks so amazing, especially the chocolate-dipped pear 🙂

    Reply
  28. Natalie @ Free Range Human says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Julie, i completely understand that feeling. As I read your description, I thought “I know. I know exactly.” It’s my lifelong dream to live in the mountains, and I hope I can make it happen someday!

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:55 pm

      me too, natalie! 🙂 i hope we can both make it happen. 🙂

      Reply
  29. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:05 am

    What a perfect little getaway! Ahhh seriously, everything looks amazing… from the bed & breakfast to the beautiful scenery to the delicious food. I’m sure you’re having a blast!

    Reply
  30. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Oooh those pears look amazing!

    I feel blessed and lucky to live practically IN the mountains during this time. THe leaves are gorgeous! Have fun in OR 🙂

    Reply
  31. Megan@funsizedfitness says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Your trip looks like so much fun! I know exactly what you mean about getting that feeling when you’re in the mountains with the beautiful foliage…I’m visiting my parents in Connecticut and it’s absolutely gorgeous here right now!

    Reply
  32. Claire@NavigatingNorth says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Julie thank you for recommending this place! I live in Seattle, so it really isn’t too far from me if I ever wanted to explore! The mountains are great, aren’t they?! For some reasons, pictures with mountains in the background are just the BEST 😉 If you guys ever decide to move out here, you’ll have to let me know and we can pack those PB&Js and set out for some great trails! Cheers to Friday, friend!

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm

      i would LOVE that!!!

      Reply
  33. Rachel says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Those pears are so cute! Wow Oregon looks amazing.. kinda reminds me of upstate NY

    Reply
  34. Mary says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Those pears covered in pink chocolate are gorgeous. Who would have thought to dip pears in chocolate . Did you eat one? Have a fantastic trip.

    Reply
  35. Cara says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Wow! This is truly the trip of a lifetime. And that bed and breakfast is perfection! Go girl 🙂

    Reply
  36. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Omg this looks like the best trip! I LOVE harry and david! I really want some of their moose munch now! haha Btw, your outfit is super cute!

    Reply
  37. Corey @ When We Wander says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:51 am

    What a great experience! Oregon looks gorgeous this time of year!

    Reply
  38. Mary says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Just looked at the Harry&David website . Kudos to them for having sugar free baskets for the many people who can’t have sugar.

    Reply
  39. Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:09 am

    This is like fall in a blog post. Those pears look amazing and so gorgeous. I applaud your will power to not eat moose munch all day long while there-that stuff is SO good!

    Reply
    • julie @ peanut butter fingers says

      October 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm

      today i think i ate enough moose munch to last me a lifetime. 🙂 it’s SO good and SO addicting.

      Reply
  40. Katie @ running4cupcakes says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:15 am

    That pear is so stinking’ cute!

    Reply
  41. Katelyn Block says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:25 am

    I LOVE all things Harry & David. So classy and… CLASSIC. This was the perfect autumn setting for the event!

    Reply
  42. Steph @ StephSnacks says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Oh my gosh what a fun trip!

    Reply
  43. Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Bahhhhh still dying of jealousy over here. What an fantastic opportunity! Feel free to snag me whatever Harry & David freebies you can 😉

    Reply
  44. Addy @ Six-Kick Switch says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Oh man this looks like the BEST TOUR EVER!!!! Beautiful scenery, Oregon, pears – so jealous!

    Reply
  45. Katie @ KatieEnPursuit says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Gorgeous pics — thanks for sharing your experience. Harry & David Moose Munch? One of the BEST things I’ve EVER eaten 🙂

    Reply
  46. Jen N says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I used to work part time at Harry & David. Loved it and I’m a little jealous you got to see where all the magic happens. 🙂 I am still a huge fan of their pears – nothing like them in the grocery store, in my opinion.

    Reply
  47. Sarah Elizabeth says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Where are your brown boots from? They’re so cute and falltime-y! Fashion post please! =) Looks like you had a blast.

    Reply
  48. Heather says

    October 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I grew up in grants pass, just a hop skip and a jump from where you are. I now live in San Diego, which is wonderful but around this time of year I miss it and the beauty that fall brings to southern Oregon. Glad you get to experience it!! 🙂

    Reply
  49. allison says

    October 12, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    This is such a fun trip!!! Im definitely going to try “spiking” the tea with the apple cider, such a good idea!

    Now that I live in Florida I really miss Fall in the north:(:(:(

    Reply
  50. Kelsea says

    October 12, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Woo! Welcome to Oregon! You’re in my neck of the woods – picturesque indeed! So jealous of the Harry and David cider drinking! Have some delicious H&D chocolate for all of your readers 🙂

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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