My Trip to Ashland with Harry & David

Last week, I was lucky enough to head up to Ashland, Oregon with some of my best blogging friends to visit Harry & David!

It was a very spontaneous trip for me (I found out I was going two days before!), but was absolutely amazing. It was my very first time visiting Oregon! And wow…I think I fell in love. We stayed at the lovely historic Ashland Springs Hotel , which was in the center of everything. I highly recommend this hotel if you are going for a visit. It has the most comfortable hotel bed that I’ve ever slept on! Plus, they have complimentary happy hour AND “late night snacks” in the lobby. Enough said.

Ashland is known for its famous Shakespeare Festival, and the town was alive with people. I’m already looking for an excuse to go back! Maybe when it’s not so hot though—it was about 110 degrees when we were there last week!

It was really cool to see what Harry & David was all about.

Going into this trip, I really didn’t know anything other than “they have the best pears I’ve ever tasted”. My parents used to get the gift baskets when I was a kid and my brother and I always fought over who got to eat the special “gold wrapped pear” (remember those?!). I swear, the pears are magical or something because no matter what, they are always perfect. Always!

I had no idea that they actually grow the pears (and peaches!) right there. Had no idea they make all the chocolates and candies on site. Had no idea how passionate the Harry & David folks are about providing the best product possible to their customers. They really love their jobs and were some of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever met. It was cool to go behind the scenes and get the inside scoop!

That’s Rebecca. She’s fabulous and was part of the group of inspirational bloggers I felt privileged to hang out with all week. Rebecca is the mastermind behind the slow cooker chicken tikka masala. She also is a mom to five little boys. I introduced Rebecca to her very first margarita on this trip!

Unfortunately I had an awful allergic reaction to laundry detergent during the trip and was covered with splotchy red bumps. Don’t mind me.

Oh, look! There’s my boyfriend! Isn’t he a hottie?

Here I am with Jess and Maria. I love these girls! Over the past few years, we have formed an awesome close friendship and just have the best time when we all get together.

One of the nights, we headed over to Red Lily Vineyards for dinner. It was one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. Words can’t describe how gorgeous this place is….just check out the sunset!

I know…right?! It was unreal.

Here we all are in front of the winery (thanks for the photo, Sandy!):

From the left: Rebecca, Maria, Jess, Rachel, Amy, Sandy, Heidi, Bridget, Lori, Kristen and me!

I have to say though, my favorite part of the trip was when we got to hang out with Charlie in the Harry & David candy kitchen!

Charlie has been working with Harry & David for 32 years and LOVES chocolate {to say the least}.

He gave us the opportunity to play a little bit with decorating chocolate so we’d get the feel for what really goes on behind the scenes. I don’t think my chocolates will be winning any decorating award soon {I positioned myself next to Bridget at the table for a reason!}, but it was super fun. Playing with chocolate at 10am? You don’t have to ask me twice!

We were also given the opportunity to make our own gift baskets (I sent mine to my parents!) and hit up the Harry & David country store, which I envisioned to be the size of a gas station but was really the size of a Whole Foods….and just PACKED with Harry & David stuff!

Moosemunch cheesecake was eaten.

Mojitos {and margaritas!} were drank.

And new friends were made. Thank you, Sandy, for hosting us all at your beautiful home for dinner! Can I live in your garden?

And a  huge thank you to Harry & David for making this trip possible. It was absolutely amazing and beyond generous. I can’t wait to come back one day soon! Until then, I’ll be eating my pears and practicing my chocolate painting skills.