The little town that got a Vampires invation

"Life into life" Paty Arellano 2022

All of us know that a book can change our life, but  there is a saga of books and movies that changed the life of a complete town. One of the most important sagas of 2000, and no I am not talking about Harry Potter, came alive in one little town of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

"For my setting, I knew I need a someplace ridicusly rainy. I turned to Google, as I do for all my research needs, and looked for the place with the most rainfall in the U.S. This turnes out to be the Olympic Peninsula in Washinton State. I pulled up maps of the area and studied them, lookin for something small, out of the way surronded by forest... And there, right where I wanted it to be, was a tiny town called 'Forks'. It couldn't have been more perfect if I had named it by my self"- Stephanie Meyer.

Now you know of which saga, we are talking about? No? So here I have some others clues for you... the dad, it's a policeman, the friend is part of the Quileute Tribe (not really accurate by the way), the story helped the vampires be popular again and the new batman it's part of the movie. Have you found it now? The answer, it's Twilight.

The location of this town, northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula, made it perfect for logging and a pit stop visited en route to Olympic National Park, but for many it was just that. With a community of less than 4,000 people, sharing just one grocery store and one traffic stoplight the tourism wasn't a big deal, but it exploded after the "Twilight" fever that came after the premier in 2008. Just for giving us an idea in 2007, Forks just over 10,000 visitors. In 2009, that figure rose to 70,000.

Obviously at the beginning just like any big change some of the people in the town weren't really happy with this, but after start noticing what a big change this could do for the town they started to explore the opportunity and convert your visitors in a "Twilight experience".

 "Twilight" locations

Every movie works with a budget and usually they decide the location that fits with the story, but that also it's affordable and comfortable for the crew. In some cases, like Twilight,  the author do have an idea of how the location looks like because they inspired it on a real place but the movie team consider another place as the principal location. In this case they use some spots of Forks town, but the principal location its set up in Oregon for Twilight and Canada for New Moon. 

Vampire thermometer", Paty Arellano, 2022

But if you are a huge fan of the Twilight books and you want to see the real props and costumes, you should visit Folk and have this amazing self-guided tour. 

 "Twilight" Driving Directions for self-guided tour

This direction were provided by Forks Chamber of Commerce and I just want to share it in my own version so you can enjoy it next time you visit this town but make sure you will search for a copy inside any souvenir store, visitor information center or the Forever Twilight in Forks Collection.

- If you're driving by the Folks Avenue first stop should be the Forks Chamber Of Commerce where you can find Bella's truck.

Atractions, Pacific Inn 

- The next stop will be the Forks Police Department Annex, 553 S Forks Avenue at the Transit Center, to enter the Transit Center take a right onto E Street, then another right to enter and follow the sign that say "cars", there is a police car parked outside for photo ops.

-Then take the an immediate right on E Street and then left onto Spartan Av. find Forks High School Sign of the 1925 school building. 

-Continue onto Spartan Avenue, next turn right on Division Street and go several blocks and see the Forks City Hall. Stop in Water Department for a free souvenir.

-When leaving City Hall, turn right in Division Street and the Cullen House (564. E Division Street) will be in your right a hundred- year old white three story house, that now it's a Bed and Breakfast. Don't forget to take a picture with the collens mailbox or enjoy the the breakfast (book it  in https://www.millertreeinn.com/) 

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Cullen House, Paty Arellano 2022

-Turn around on Division Street and head back towards Forks Avenue. Turn right at the light and you will find Forever Twilight in Forks Collection 11N. Forks Avenue at the Reinforest Arts Center at their only traffic light! This gallery features actual props and custumes from the Twilight Saga movies, examples of the books of many countries, some fan art and nice spots for photos. Is free to enter but they have a donation space so you can contribute to the gallery. If you need some extra information you can vistit their website: forkswa.com/ftfcollection

FTF Collection, Paty Arellano 2022

-If you continue the Forks Avenue to the Forks Oufitters (950 S. Forks Avenue) where Bella worked. There yo can find a really nice Smoked Salmon!!

- Your next stop should be La Push, go north highway 110/ La Push Road. Travel 8 miles and then look for the Treaty Line at Three Rivers Resort. La Push is another 8 miles down LaPush Road, it takes approximately 20-25 minutes to reach. 

La Push, Paty Arellano 2022