So we planned an extended trip wandering around northwestern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Oregon coast. While looking at maps and routes at home, this conversation took place.
Scott: It looks like we will have to go through Forks, Washington at one point. Isn’t that the vampire town in those books you read?
Sue: Yup. It might be a kick to get a picture of me in front of the town sign. I’ve seen pictures of it-it’s a famous sign now.
Scott: Whatever you want.
We forgot all about “Twilight” and vampires and wolf packs and were merrily going about our business on our vacation for several days when we found ourselves hiking in Olympic National Park. We were in the wilderness all by ourselves in a heavily wooded area.
Scott: I suppose this is the kind of place where those vampires could get us.
Sue: (laughing) Are you talking about the good vampires or the bad vampires?
Scott: What’s the difference? Either way we’re dead.
Sue: The Cullens do range here for hunting, but they won’t kill us, only the bad nomad vampires. You may not know this, but Edward says that most missing hikers are lost due to vampire attack. (we both look around the heavily forested and deserted area)
Sue: I think I just creeped myself out.
We survived the Olympic wilderness without a vampire sighting (whew), and spent the next two nights in Port Angeles. We kept being made aware of the books because there were constant reminders, so we decided to just go with it, embrace the “Twilight” and have some fun. I mean, why not?
Scott: Why are we taking pictures of you in Port Angeles? I think the Cullens live in Forks.
Sue: Well, Bella and her friends came here shopping for prom dresses and Edward saved her…the Italian restaurant…Jessica & Bella at the movies…Jacob and Mike at the movies…
Scott: But it’s not the vampire city.
Sue: No. No, it’s not. That’s in Italy where the Volturi live.
While heading to the book store in Port Angeles, I was followed by two scary young men. All of a sudden I realized they weren’t following me, they were herding me towards two others. I clutched my purse strap and my mind ran through all my self-protection moves.
Where is that silver Volvo?????
Leaving Port Angeles, we resumed our trip and discovered that all roads lead to Forks. Really. We found that famous town sign and I got my shot plus a little bonus: the pharmacy that serves as Bella’s First Aid Station. I guess she uses that when she doesn’t want to go to the hospital and Carlisle is out hunting.
Sue: Oh my word! It’s Mike’s parents’ outdoor gear store.
Scott: Is this important?
Sue: Absolutely. Bella worked here. Although she didn’t seem to spend much actual time working, but it was a good plot device to illustrate the financial disparity between Bella and Edward. It also gave Mike opportunities to hit on Bella and her to make references to him being a cute puppy dog.
Scott: Huh? Mike? That’s not a Cullen, is it?
Sue: In the movies he’s the blond teenager who was Bella’s first friend in Forks and then hangs around peripherally through the rest of the series.
Scott: Perhaps that’s why I can’t get a bead on him.
Sue: Perhaps. But this must be his parents’ store where Bella worked!
Scott: Or the Forks equivalent.
Sue: I choose to believe.
Sue: For sure we need to visit Twilight Central because it’s Alice’s FAVORITE place to shop!
Scott: Alice shops in Forks?
Sue: Only when there’s a shopping emergency.
Sue: Hey, look! Bella left her truck parked at the Visitor Center. Why would she do that?
Scott: Does she have two red trucks?
Sue: No, that would be weird.
Scott: Well, there are two here. Hmm, one is her original truck and the other is her movie truck. Which one do you want your picture taken with?
Sue: The real truck. Duh!
Sue: Oh interesting. It’s the high school sign they recreated for the movie.
Scott: The movie people let them have this sign?
Sue: No, this is the real high school sign. It came first. Because this is a real high school. They made a copy for the movie. I think we’re getting our universes all mixed up: are we in real Forks, book Forks, or movie Forks?
Scott: My head is spinning!
Sue: Let’s find the Forks Hospital! It’s where Dr. Cullen works and Bella is always in there getting something fixed.
Scott: How can Carlisle be a doctor and be around all that blood?
Sue: Well, let me tell you the history of Carlisle Cullen. He was born in England…(several minutes later). And that’s why Carlisle is a doctor.
Scott: Ohhh, so he really he is a good vampire, isn’t he?
We headed out of town to the Quileute Reservation to find La Push and First Beach. Along the way we found this sign, which seemed a little ominous to us. Fortunately, we were heading straight into wolf territory and would be protected by a very large pack. We both breathed a sigh of relief, because really, the threat level is Danger? Gah!
Sue: Ooo, there’s the treaty line!
Scott: I wondered where that was.
First Beach was actually quite lovely. We were there on a cloudy, drizzly day and it was easy to imagine Bella and Jacob sitting on their favorite driftwood log talking about the “Cold Ones” and Quileute legends while gazing out at the sea stacks. The beach was covered with “pwitty wocks” that Quil is always nice enough to collect for his tiny imprinted girlfriend, Claire.
Friends and relatives often come down from the Makah Reservation which lies further up the coast. There is a great hiking trail which takes you out to Cape Flattery, the furthest northwest spot in the continental forty-eight. The Makah have many legends of the “Cold Ones” visiting their village. These legends are absolutely true because we heard rustling in the woods and found ourselves trapped between a small coven and some werewolves. 
Scott: There are vampires sucking my blood right now!
Sue: Umm, those are mosquitoes.
Scott: Oh. Right.
Sue: I guess I can stop being terrified now.
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