Forth in Forks
February 17, 2010This past weekend, we spent our fourth wedding anniversary in Forks. Most people will be familiar with this location due to it being the setting for Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight book series (and the subsequent films). We traveled up there to spend our time around nature, since you’re close to the ocean (30 min drive) and woods (Hoh Rain Forest).
The main drag (Hwy 101/Forks Ave) is basically 2 miles long (from the city limits sign, to where we turned off for our hotel at the other end of town). The town consists of a Thriftway, Ace Hardware/Outfitters and a few food places and hotels. Only around 3100 people (according to the sign) live in Forks, and it shows.
Our hotel was nice. Being a converted apartment complex, it had a full kitchen, separate bedroom and nice front room. The only downside was also due to it being a converted apartment complex. Our upstairs neighbor had a very heavy walk, and thus we heard creaking of the boards quite often. Other than that, it was a beautiful location, and very good price.
Our first trip out was to La Push, for the ocean. Quite a relaxing drive, but we were saddened by seeing all the litter and trash that people just left laying on the side of the road. Once in La Push proper, you’d think that would change, but sadly, it does not.
The ocean, was beautiful. It was an overcast, stormy day, with a very strong wind. Definitely the best time to go out there, in my opinion.
Our next outing, was scheduled to be the Hoh Rain Forest, but upon seeing their entrance fee sign, we turned around and went back home. Quinault had been free, and we had assumed that Hoh would be as well. No such luck. They wanted $15 per car to enter the rain forest and wander around, even if you were just spending a few hours there vs camping out.
We had ourselves a good laugh over a company that was trying to profit on the Twilight series. They offered all sorts of themed stuff (the stores reminded us of Hot Topic knock offs) along with a “Twilight Tour” service that would show you all the places mentioned in the book, for a small fee of $40 per person.
It doesn’t take too many brains to know where places are, if you know what you are looking for. City hall housed the police dept, the high school was just off main street, and there was a sign pointing you to La Push, and the local hospital.
All in all, it was a great trip. If you do not mind places shutting down by 7 o’clock or so, no 24 hour stores, and spotty cell phone service, this is a great place. Very relaxing, but it was still nice to come home to our own place after 5 days.
