Forks, WA!

Oh, today was the best day of my second visit to Seattle. I actually go to see some of the real state of Washington. After reading the Twilight books this summer, I've wanted to visit Forks. My brother and Sean are the best. This morning, we left Seattle bright and early to head out to Forks, WA. We took the 30-minute ferry ride across Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. This is where all of the real action began. The scenery and view were breathtaking and astounding. Words truly cannot describe how absolutely beautiful everything is here. Even in the winter, blankets of white snow can hardly cover the immense expanse of green. Oh yeah, I saw real snow. Lots of it too. We drove through the highest hills and mountains I've ever seen (the Olympic mountains). I felt so miniscule compared to some of these giant natural structures. Every tree we passed was taller and greener than any tree I'd ever seen growing up in the south. We made our way through Port Angeles, parts of the Olympic National Park and Forest - where the views of the mountains were absolutely stunning. There was this one really big lake called Lake Crescent that was of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. It reminded me of pictures from the snowcapped mountainous areas of Switzerland - my pictures don't do it justice. Finally into Forks. This tiny little town of  3,175 people is simply that: a tiny little town of 3,175. Fame was thrust onto them and they've tried very hard to embrace it. The Twilight series has certainly helped their tourism industry. All of the stores carry conveniently placed, book-themed merchandise. Each block of the town is separated by a house or two. Buildings were quite small, but quaint. There is a logging and railway history to the town that has been overshadowed by the popularity of the books. After exploring town -- the hospital, Cullen house, the main street, police station, Forks Outfitters, high school, everything -- we made our way onto the the Quileute native American reservation and into La Push which is on the coast not too far from Forks. I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life. Grand. Magnificent. That was probably my favorite part of the entire trip. Gosh, it certainly was a wonderful thing of beauty.  I'm in love with more than just Seattle, I'm in love with the Pacific Northwest.

My brother, Joseph, and me in La Push -- Pacific Ocean in the background.

Me next to Bella's truck parked next to the Forks Chamber of Commerce aka the Twilight Visitor's Center