In case you’ve been living under a rock these past five years and have never heard of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight book series, allow us to give you a crash course: girl meets vampire, girl loves vampire, girl’s best friend is a werewolf, the vampire and the werewolf both love the girl. It’s all very romantic.The series take place in Forks, Washington, and since the Twilight fangirl craze took off, the town has done its best to capitalize on the series’ popularity. Thousands of fans from around the world have traveled to Forks to get the ultimate Twilight experience. Recently a brave Seattle Weekly intern made the long drive to Forks to see what all the fuss was about.Photos by Sam Kettering.Published on December 17, 2010
The La Push Indian Reservation, where werewolf Jacob Black lives, was the highlight of the entire trip. The rocky islands rising from the water look majestic, and the view of the ocean is breathtaking.
The Forks branch of ‘Dazzled By Twilight’, awkwardly across the street from a rival Twilight store.
A display case in the Twilight tours headquarters shows the currencies of countries where the Twilight series has been sold.
A map in the Forks Chamber of Commerce – which dolls out Twilight quizzes – indicates the global appeal of the series. One of the officials at the Chamber of Commerce explained that the series’ author, Stephanie Meyer, has only been to the town once, after she wrote the first book.
A young Twilight fan poses with a cardboard cutout of Bella (Kristen Stewart) in the car Bella drove in the films.
A parking space near the local hospital is permanently reserved for Dr. Cullen, the series’ vampire doctor.
Another home has been declared the house of Bella Swan, the series’ heroine.
An Edward Cullen barbie doll climbs a Christmas tree in Port Angeles’s branch of ‘Dazzled By Twilight’, a shop dedicated entirely to selling expensive Twilight-themed merchandise. Also, if this picture makes sense to you at all, you’re probably a Twihard.
One lucky inn has been deemed the Cullen House, or the home of the vampire clan in the book series. A cutout of Edward leers ominously from the top story’s window.
Although it’s easy enough to tour Forks on your own, some prefer to take a guided tour. Tour takers are whisked around the city on a bus emblazoned with the faces of the Twilight actors.
A guest book in the flower shop also allows Twilight fans to indicate where they come from.
Twilight drinking games – for the movies, not the books – are apparently all the rage. Take a drink:-Every time Bella stammers-Every time Edward looks constipated-Every time a vampire sparklesYou’ll be three sheets to the wind by the time the night is over.
Twilight fans peruse a Twilight themed flower store in Forks, Washington.
The road to Forks takes travelers through the Olympic National Park. Driving through the park’s thick forests and stopping to admire its natural beauty is almost enough to warrant a trip to Forks on its own.
For the Twilight fan who doesn’t like pantie lines.
A map in the Port Angeles ‘Dazzled By Twilight’ indicates where the shop’s visitors hail from.
