You know, I used to be cool. Then Twilight entered my life. At first I was one of "those people" who wouldn't read it just because everyone else was. I had no idea what it was even about. Then one day I was at the airport getting ready to fly to New Orleans to visit Austin who was working out there at the time. I decided to read a book on the 4 hour flight instead of go for the usual gossip magazines. So, I bought a copy of Twilight since so many people had recommended it and it was everywhere in the airport. Needless to say I was "sucked in" (hee hee) from chapter 1, read half of it on the way to New Orleans, and polished it off on the way back. Since Austin was going to be out of town for another couple weeks I ended up reading the next two books in the series which is all that was out at the time. Now look at me, I'm one of "those girls". I'm hosting private screenings for the movies and taking trips to Forks, WA, the place the books are set in. Ha ha, I just gotta laugh at myself.
It all started when Gina told me her friend was planning a trip to Forks to tour all the Twilight spots. At first I almost didn't do it, then at the last minute I decided "why not". I am so glad I went! We had so much fun! I got to really connect with my sister Gina. The girl cracks me UP! We no sooner settled into our seats on the plane then Gina grabbed a barf bag out from the back of the seat in front of her and turned to her friends to say, "I'm a puker." Her two friends sitting across the aisle, along with half the plane, including myself, leaned away in disgust as Julie and Keri simultaneously asked, "Really?" "No", Gina replied with a semi straight face while casually placing the barf bag back where it came from. Everyone from two rows in front of us to two rows in back of us erupted in laughter. I was laughing internally for long after the joke was made a little awe inspired by my cute sisters quick wit. And that's how the whole trip was. Her two friends, Julie and Keri, were so cute and hilarious! The dynamic between the four of us was great and we all fed off each other's energy...even though I became known as the longest sleeper of the group. Hey, when you get up at 4:30 in the morning every day for work, you learn to get sleep whenever you can, and it was a VACATION!!! We decided to just give in and be big dorks the whole time since that was what the weekend was all about. It made the whole experience a lot more fun.
We started our trip in Seattle, which was awesome because I've never been there. It was beautiful and everything I expected. We woke up to pounding rain the first day and by the time we made it into the city the sun was peeking through the clouds. We spent the first part of the day at Pike's marketplace. It was really fun and cool to see. We didn't get there early enough to see the fish being tossed around but we did see a lot of other interesting things there. Then we ate at the top of the Space Needle where the restaurant revolves slowly as you eat so you get a 360 degree view of the city...BEAUTIFUL!!
Gina, me, Keri, Julie and Priscilla at the Space Needle
After we were finished eating at the Space Needle we headed down to Port Angeles to eat at...you guessed it...Bella Italia!
All the businesses participated in the Twilight mania. It really made us feel less dorky knowing that everything around use was treating it all like it was real. (Don't worry, I know I'm a dork still)
Just like it had been cued, this wolf came wandering by while we were waiting outside the Bella Italia. Okay so it's an Alaskan Husky but it was too perfect!
The owner very graciously took a picture of us and some new found Twi-hard friends with the "wolf".
We all ate mushroom ravioli and cokes, except for Keri because she doesn't like mushrooms. Guess she's not as hard core as we are. *giggles*
After we ate at Bella Italia in Port Angeles we headed straight down to Forks and then on in to La Push baby. It was pitch black and midnight by the time we pulled up to our hotel "The Quillayute Oceanside Resort". When we woke up in the morning we were stunned to find we were right on First Beach. This is the view from our deck. We were literally a hundred or so feet from the beach! Anyone recognize those cliffs?
There was driftwood everywhere just like Stephenie Meyer describes in the book.
I couldn't pass up an opportunity to act like a goofball with Gina.
The locals were great and they directed us to the house that Stephenie Meyer based Jacob Black's house on. It was complete with a barn in the back and the owner's put a motorcycle out front in the spirit of the book.
Everyone capitalized and embraced the whole Twilight theme. Here is the treaty line at the edge of the indian reservation. (I told you, it doesn't feel so fake when you're there) *laughs*
Welcome to Forks everyone! We finally arrived.
You know, Edward really does prefer brunettes. *smiles, sigh*
Couldn't pass up a photo op with"Bella's truck"
This is the house they decided looks the most like Charlie and Bella Swan's house. The people who own it must be really good sports.
We stopped at the Forks Hospital and checked out Dr. Cullen's parking spot.
Fork's High School!
Gina and I acting dorky again, pretending to be hand cuffed at the Fork's police station.
Just an example of how everyone there took advantage of the Twilight craze. We thought this sign was funny. Get it?!
You never know what you'll run into in the forest.
We even built a fire that night on First Beach.
The day we went home it was so stormy the ocean looked and sounded angry. None of use could sleep that night because of the wind, rain and crashing waves. The picture doesn't do it justice.
