Marin County Familiarization Trip!

The Marin CVB invited Kimberly and I out to their neck of the woods, to learn all about what is available! We were invited to enjoy a weekend learning about all that Marin County has to offer.

Beginning our trip, we checked into the Lodge at Tiburon, which was an absolutely magnificent property. We had a chance to settle in, and enjoy the hotel prior to our evening reception. Here is a photo of one of the big, bright rooms!

After a few hours of relaxation, we headed out for our reception at the Inn Marin. This hotel is a Marin County classic, and has recently been renovated to be a certified Green Hotel.

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, appetizers and the company!

The next day was a long and fun day - starting by picking up the rest of the group and heading out to the West Marin County. Some of the group was participating in kayaking, some horseback riding, and some of us were shopping in the quaint town of Pt. Reyes. Seeing as it was a particularly cold weekend, Kimberly and I decided shopping sounded warmest! As a surprise, we were taken to the Cowgirl Creamery, which is a favorite of both of ours! Their cheeses are among the best that are made locally and internationally!

We had a guide show us the cheese-making facility and we watched in amazement as the girls in the facility worked as fast as possible to form the famous Red Hawk Cheese.

Here's a photo of the Red Hawk Cheese formed and sitting, being pressed very lightly to make its circular shape.

 Next, we had a demonstration of how the coagulation in cheese occurs! A specific enzyme was poured into freshly delivered milk (from a local farm!) and before our eyes, cheese formed. Here's a picture of the cheese forming!

Something that is absolutely fascinating and admirable about the Cowgirl Creamery is that they are very sustainable and support local famers 100%. All milk is from local cows, and when the cheese forms, a bi-product that occurs is Whey. The whey is then taken to the local pigs and is put into their food. The whey helps the meat to be very healthy, and is made into the best proscuitto!

After our cheese lesson, we headed out on the town for lunch. Lunch was hosted at the Station House Cafe, where we had a fantastic meal. Appetizers were fresh, local oysters that everyone ate right away. The entree was perfect - Kimberly and I had the roasted chicken sandwich with the Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam cheese on top. Yum!

Stuffed and tired from a long day, we took the bus ride back to our hotels to get ready for a dinner!

Dinner was hosted at the Embassy Suites San Rafael...a beautiful property as well. We were so impressed by the hotel's grand nature, and still had very hospitable staff. Dinner was fabulous - served family style, the chef prepared 6 different entrees - all absoultely scrumptuous!

Morning came, and our stay came to an end :(. We enjoyed breakfast at the Lodge at Tiburon - great, again!

We enjoyed our trip to Marin County, and learned so much about what the area offers. Thank you to the Marin CVB!