UPDATE:
Decided to take the valve cover off as I was stuck with all other troubleshooting methods.
Here is a pic of the gasket:
http://imgur.com/vdSS3rY
And a close up of the blemish:
http://imgur.com/dSjygOx
New gasket is on the shopping list!
Ebuddy, are you advising there is another gasket I should be looking at as well? Where is that one located?
Thanks again for your help!