And so to FORKS! I took another rental car, this time a big black one, from Seattle to Forks. I felt like movie-Edward. It was fantastic! And for the record, so much nicer driving on smaller Washington roads than gigantic Californian freeways. I think this photo looks like Bella and Edward pulled up next to each other. But I digress....
For those of you attending the Twitarded Forks weekend coming up, I have tried to include my tips for first-timers like myself. I've coloured these in red.
Firstly I stopped briefly in Port Angeles. Mainly to be able to picture it in my mind, this whole weekend I was taking in the sights so that every time I read/watch Twilight, or read fan fiction, I get an idea of where the characters are. I popped in to Dazzled by Twilight in PA, don't bother! The store in Forks is much better stocked.
Yup. That's about it for the twi-sites of PA! Onwards to Forks. This is a gorgeous drive. In fact, the whole area looks a lot like parts of New Zealand. This is my not-so-subtle hint to come and check it out! I recommend you stop at Lake Crescent, it is gorgeous.
After a few more stops for picture-taking, I arrived! At mecca. It was all I could do not to kiss the pavement.
Hint - if you're driving by yourself, don't worry about stopping to take a photo, because the Twilight Tour will take you here and there'll be someone to take pics for you then.
Forks was pretty much what I expected. One main street, one traffic light, small town. Boy oh boy have they benefitted from Stephenie's decision to base her little story here! In 2005, Forks had 5,000 visitors per year. Last year? 150,000. Sheesh. I had some interesting conversations with locals about Twilight and whether it is loved or loathed by the community. Generally, they like it, because it brought their town back to life. Anyone who is unimpressed surely can't complain about the money coming in to the town.
On Saturday I took the Twilight Tour. There are two companies in town - you want to make sure you go with the original BLACK BUS, not the white one. There is some confusion about who runs this tour, because it used to be Dazzled by Twilight and it still features on their website. It is however now it's own company and is called Twilight Tours in Forks. The same people run the tours as before...
The fabulous Travis. Travis would have to be the best tour guide I think I've ever met. He is so enthusiastic, energetic and loves Twilight! I asked him if he remembered the TWITARDS and if he knew you all were coming back. He just smiled a knowing smile... I asked him if he wanted to run for the hills and he laughed!
My recommendation is that Travis gets some serious tippage from you guys, he bloody deserves it. And get this. His baby daughter Isabella was born in Forks on June 20th. How much of a twi-baby is she?
I was uber-excited to place the first pin in New Zealand on the map in the tour office. Then Travis let me down by telling me that it is a relatively new map. Hmph.
Anyhoo, on to the sights! First stop - Forks High. Yeah, it's different to what you pictured, huh? Thing is, you have to remember this is a tour of sights that are 'interpreted' to be where Bella and Edward reside. There were people on my tour surprised that the films weren't shot in Forks. Really, people? Call yourselves fans? Duh.
Next stop, Forks police station. They actually leave this cruiser out the front all the time because they got so pissed with people breaking in to the locked yard to take photos with their other cars. That's a bit rude.
Then on to the Forks Chamber of Commerce. You need to sign the register here to tell them where you are from, this is how they monitor how many people visit each year. They have two 'Bella trucks', one from the books (below) and one from the movie (see top photo). The 'movie car' is not the one used in the films, but the registration plate is. You might even find a sexy sparkly vampire lurking...
Then it was on to Bella and Charlie's house. Apparently the people who live here have an album of pictures of people taking pictures of their house! I'm not sure I'd like to live in the centre of all this, but I'm sure they're good sports.
I loved the reserved sign for Carlisle at the local hospital. What I loved more though was that the cafe at the hospital is called 'Spoons'!
Then it was on to La Push. Thankfully, there were no half-naked werewolves sitting on their cars at the treaty line.
I loved this. I think it's great that everyone plays along!
I was surprised, to say the least, that Kiwi Ed had tagged along to La Push. He was keeping his prescence on the DL. We did have a laugh together when we saw the threat level sign... I think someone knew he was there.
Did I mention the weather was AMAZING the whole time I was in Forks? Travis' disco ball in the front of the bus had some work to do. Of course all the locals tried to convince me that it was sunny every day in Forks...
La Push beach is gorgeous! Not what I had pictured in my head, but seeing all the houses and small school, I can totally imagine the pups livin' down on the res.
Right. After the tour... it was time for THE MERCH. Serious merch is available in Forks, people. And not just at Dazzled by Twilight. Although there was great stuff there, I recommend going to Forks Outfitters and the Thriftway, at the end of town. Same shit, heaps cheaper! I am the proud owner of a Forks hoodie, copious stickers, magnets, a mug... you name it, I got it. Every shop in town (no joke) sells something Twilight. Even the service stations! Oh, and @SparklyJul... I gots you covered, babe.
Also, FYI returning Twitards - Dazzled by Twilight now has Vampire Diaries and True Blood merch too. Not much, but FSDamon and FSStefan are hanging out... along with some Team Eric goodies.
This is my favourite twi-thing. First person to tell me in the comments where I saw this is a winner! (not a winner of a prize, just a winner of general winner-ness). Dr Cullen turns me on. He he he.
I headed to Rialto Beach that evening to watch the sunset. GORGEOUS. One tip (that someone told me but I neglected to listen to) good idea to wear proper shoes. It's rocky, people, and my feeties were sore in my flip flops.
Then it was home to the motel. I swear, I could hear the ghosts of Twitards in Forks 2010 echoing across the lot. I can just imagine you lot taking over the joint. I hope you're all pitching in for the therapy that the staff are going to collectively need in about six weeks' time.
Sunday woke up slightly overcast, which gave me a hint of the near constant cover of clouds and rain. I headed down the coast towards Olympia, where an evening of drunken debauchery awaited..... but that's another story.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar