Twilight and I have always had a complex relationship. On one hand I’m ashamed to admit that I have a soft spot for the series. I read the first three books during my first Christmas down in Phoenix while Mack’s family was in town. It was an excellent de-stressing read after a particularly hard quarter at school that didn’t require much in the way of brain power. The writing was like a bad fanfiction and trashy in a sort of “clean wholesome” (read: no sex) way and, being a lover of trashy romance novels, it amused me. I read the series before it got “big” and was shoved down your throat everywhere you go.
I know the writing is bad and the relationships in the books are unhealthy at best but you know what? It’s good escape literature that you love to hate. I also hate to love it.
What’d I tell you? It’s complex.
Last week Hayley text me and asked me if I would want to take an epic journey to Forks, WA next (now this) week. “Heck yes!” I replied. “It’s not like I have a job or anything going on in my life!”
That’s my typical response now: “It’s not like I have a job or anything happening.”
Wednesday morning came and Hayley showed up at the ridiculous hour of 7:30am. Doesn’t she know I have no job thus like to sleep till noon? (I’m half-joking!). She patiently waited until after I had a phone interview for a (potential) contract job and then we loaded up into the car and hit the road.
Oh boy can you sense the excitement?
After two hours of driving through the Olympic Peninsula and a whole lot of nature we hit Port Angeles and knew we were getting close.
And if Super 8 wasn’t helpful enough there was always road signs:
About 45 miles outside of Forks we hit some epic road construction by a lake that had us sitting there for 20 minutes. It was all fine and dandy since hey, at least we had a view! We managed to eventually escape that joy and within another fifty minutes we hit Tourist Spot #1:
I won’t tell you how many tourists were gathered around to pose by the sign but at this point I started loudly proclaiming “I have no shame” and “I embarrass myself.”
Driving through Forks itself was very… interesting since obviously their sole purpose is now catering to the rabid fans who descend in masses to be somehow apart of the series.
And I’m not even talking to the specific areas of town specifically catered to objects/places in the books.
Yes, that includes the Visiter Center.
This was just awesome: capitalizing on the madness:
“Twilight firewood”. Yes. I’m sure it’s wood from trees the Cullens broke while playing vampire baseball. I had to give whoever did that props since I’m sure someone will buy it since it’s from Forks and has Twilight written above it.
Even heading out to the reservation they got into the Twilight madness:
Here’s some overcast beach shots for those who are under the misconception that Washington state only has grey skies:
Overall I have to say that I had a good time but it was kind of sad how tourist trap the town now is. Like, you couldn’t walk down the main drag without Twilight being shoved into your face… especially as you go by the store Dazzled which, of course, sells only Twilight related apparel.
If you’re a hardcore fan who wants to go “experience” Twilight I’d say make the trip to Forks, WA since they cater to making the fans happy. I enjoyed my time with Hayley (despite a few times of refusing to get out of the car to take pictures due to embarrassment). Now when I tell people that I live in Washington state I can tell them yes, I have been to Forks, WA, and hopefully watch them explode in a dazzling display of diamonds.
Or whatever those vampires do.
