Photo Friday: Twilight Not the Only Highlight of Forks, WA
 Photo: ForksWA.com Sign near Forks, Washinton, setting of the popular Twilight books. | |
Rufus and I have actually been to FORKS, but not on any kind of vampire hunt. We stayed there because it's the perfect base camp for a tour of the Olympic Peninsula. Within 60-miles of this town are some of the most amazing natural settings I've ever seen. You may disagree, but glacier-topped mountains and black sand beaches are much bigger highlights than Twilight in my book.
 The hills are ALIVE, not just undead! This shot was taken in Olympic National Park on Hurricane Ridge. Approximately 55-miles northeast of Forks, this majestic scenery took our breath away. |
 Rufus had actually been to the peninsula once before, but didn't see any views like this. More than any other National Park I've visited, weather makes this one hit or miss. If you find yourself with time to see one Olympic NP attraction before the rainclouds roll in, I say don't miss the glacier-topped mountain vista, Hurricane Ridge. |
 Approximately 30-miles northeast of Forks is this postcard-perfect lake. Lake Crescent is miles long, with a road that hugs its shore. Bet it's too cold for swimming most of the year, but the scenery is enough reason to linger and play. |
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 And then, as if mountains, lakes and beaches aren't enough to make this area interesting, 27-miles southeast of Forks is the only North American temperate rain forest you'll find outside of Alaska. A hike through Hoh Rain Forest is incredibly surreal. Everything — and I mean everything — is covered in thick, green moss, including the lakes. |
Whether it's Twilight or the natural highlights that draw people there, I think this place is well worth visiting.
Incidentally, I read that Forks t-shirts are becoming popular among the Twilight crowd too. They're produced and sold by novelty companies all over. If you've got someone on your shopping list asking for this kind of thing, consider buying online from the Forks Chamber — That way your purchase is not only authentic, it supports scholarships in this community.
Posted by TheWordWire at 11/27/2009 1:45 AM 
Categories: Photo Friday,Earth and Sky
Tags: Hurricane Ridge Forks Lake Crescent Washington Olympic Peninsula Twilight Rialto Beach Hoh Rainforest
Categories: Photo Friday,Earth and Sky
Tags: Hurricane Ridge Forks Lake Crescent Washington Olympic Peninsula Twilight Rialto Beach Hoh Rainforest
i actually read the first couple just to see what people were talking about. beautiful pics! it does look like just the place to visit...and maybe where a garlic necklace. lol. hope you had an amazing thanksgiving!
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We visited rain forest in Alaska, and it was pretty amazing. Your photo of this rain forest alone makes me want to visit this area.
Haven't read the Twilight books, either...so that part of it would be lost on me, but it looks like there is more than enough in the way of interesting places to see in this area without the Twilight connection.
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Oh man, I'm sure Alaska was an incredible trip -- that's on my travel wish-list for sure. Someday! Whether or not the Hoh Rain Forest compares, I couldn't say. But it was certainly a highlight of our trip to Olympic. It's one of those places that pictures just can't do justice.
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Thanks for your comment!
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Love the pictures! Now that I live with the Olympics literally in my back yard, my goal next summer is to do the highway 101 loop all the way around the park camping at various spots. Maybe if we're lucky we'll even spot a vampire or two :)
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Wow! Amazing view. Now I even want to visit Fork and the Pacific Northwest.
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I sheepishly admit to having read all four of the TWILIGHT books. Fast, not great, reads. But the setting is tremendous. The Pacific Northwest is the only part of the continental U.S. I've missed... and I'm truly jealous of your Olympic NP experience. That park is near the top of my NPS list!
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I count myself lucky to have gotten to see it... especially since the weather cooperated the whole time. Hope you get to go someday too. Thanks for your comment.
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Yeah, Wordy, it sure does look like the weather cooperated. Your photos are stunning!
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Thanks for the reminder that there is more on the Peninsula than just a fictional story! :) Love the pictures. It's nice to have that 'in your own backyard'.
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Your backyard is incredibly beautiful, indeed! Appreciate your comment -- Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh my, Crescent Lake looks INCREDIBLE. As much as I enjoy the Twilight books, I've never been inclined to visit Forks... until seeing your pictures. Truly.
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I fell madly in love with the whole Pacific Northwest -- at least, what we were able to see -- and would go back in a second. The Olympic Peninsula absolutely blew me away! Thanks for your comment.
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