The drive to Forks was really beautiful. You have to drive along the parameter of Lake Crescent, which is a large and very reflective lake. Sarah and I both noted the quaint lodges along the side of the lake for visitors. We remarked that would be a nice place to stay.
We arrived in Forks when it was close to complete darkness. We did a first pass along the main drag to see which motels were available and what our options were. We decided to try the Forks Motel. I went in there right after 4 people, waited about 10 minutes to discover that there were no rooms available. Sarah and I decided to try the first place we saw that was AAA certified after that. It was at the front part of town. We drove there and went to the back entrance where we discovered there were no vacancies.
We tried 2 other motels with the same results and we wondered what was going on that weekend that would cause this phenomena. Finally we spotted the Bagby's Motel that advertised "Clean Cozy Rooms" on it's marquee. I knew what cozy meant, but I figured it was better than sleeping in the car. The jingle of the bells attached to the door got the attention of the older woman that was in a backroom. We asked her if she had any rooms and she said "Well, I have a duplex that isn't attached to the main rooms." She gave us the key and when I asked if she needed a key deposit she asked "Are you going to steel it?" I was a bit taken aback but responded with a simple "No, I will not be stealing it." Sarah then asked where the room was and the lady gave her directions like "You turn left than a quick right and another quick right." Sarah inquired on the street name, but the woman didn't know the name. That was the second red flag.
Sarah and I accidentally turned right and then another right so we had to turn around to find the obscure street this "duplex" was located on. We finally found it and one look between us communicated that we might have arrived at the Bates Motel. This duplex was no such thing. It was a tiny, run-down shack with worn-down paint and warn-down wood stairs. I turned the key and looked tentatively at Sarah. We walked in to find a shabby living room and kitchenette. I walked to the bedroom on the left and turned on the light while Sarah walked into the bedroom on the right only to get startled because she walked into cobwebs! I walked over to that room and tried to turn on the light but it wouldn't turn on.
That is when Sarah left me in her dust--not even looking back for me. I left the dump and had to lock the door, all the while reminding Sarah that there was safety in numbers! I guess she wasn't taking any chances.
We drove back to the motel office. I ran in and handed the key over to the lady, saying with a tactful smirk on my face "The room really wasn't our style." The woman chuckled under her breath, no doubt excited to win a bet she had most likely made with her husband in the backroom. She knew we wouldn't want to stay.
The Bagby's motel in daylight hours:
We made a last ditch effort to find a place by going to the local grocery store and asking if there were any places they knew of. Two ladies helped us and I was able to talk to one motel keeper that suggested the Bear Creek Cabins, which were 15 miles outside of Forks. They actually had a room, so Sarah and I drove to meet the motel clerk at the Hungry Bear Restaurant to pay and get the key. At this point it was pretty late (or maybe our stressful day made it seem so) so we were glad to see the light on in the restaurant as promised. Sarah and I walked in and were met with the most acrid cooking grease smell you can imagine. While I was paying, Sarah looked up to see taxidermied animals that had dust bunnies growing on them. The woman helping us let us know that the restaurant opened at 5:30 and she hoped to see us there. There was no way in heck that Sarah, nor I, would be willing to eat there!
Our cabin wasn't far from the restaurant and it really wasn't that bad. Okay, Sarah would probably disagree with me. The first thing we noticed was that the sink was in the living room, not the bathroom. Not too bad. Weird, but not too bad.
But then I turned on the light in the bathroom to discover the hugest mosquito eater I have ever seen! Sarah was able to take care of it.
I quickly brushed my teeth and got into bed, noting that at least the sheets were clean.
Sarah turned on the lamp set on the table in between our beds (using a tissue so her hands wouldn't get contaminated, by the way) and she kept the light on--just in case. Well, we were lying there talking for a few minutes and I just happened to look down at the floor between us to discover a cockroach walking near my bed. I told Sarah to kill it (since she did such a good job with the mosquito and she had shoes next to her bed). She killed it under my bed. Suffice it to say I woke up quite often asking myself "Are there any bugs on me?"
Our cabin in daylight hours:
The next morning we got up and quickly got ready. I dropped off the key (the woman was very miffed that we weren't eating there) and we were on our way south back through Forks.
We went to a couple of dealerships before heading over to Lauren's favorite place: Red Lobster.
We had a nice meal of spaghetti and meatballs, not to mention all of the hors d'euvres they had set out. Dessert was insane too--2 types of cupcakes, homemade chocolate chip cookies courtesy of Carol, and fudge brownies that we brought.
We drove back to Forks in the morning to have breakfast and be on our way. Unfortunately, we had a little run in with the law. There is a quick speed limit change at the beginning of town that we both missed (most likely because we were eyeing the nice looking inn that had no vacancy sign on it the night before and the 30 MPH sign was on the other side of the road).
Our next stop was La Push beach. We passed by the werewolf/vampire treaty line on our way there, which I thought was fun.
Sarah and I were surprised that Third Beach and Second Beach were well marked, but First Beach, the most popular, was not marked at all. We were able to find it, however and I was quite taken by this tree that was really close to where we parked.
The island off the coast of First Beach is James Island, which is where, I believe, Bella cliff dives in the New Moon book.
First Beach is covered with smooth gray rocks, as well as a ton of flotsom and jetsom.
I snagged a rock from the beach and asked Sarah if she thought it was illegal to take them. Her answer: they are everywhere! I knew that, but you never know how many crazed fans would want to take one and suddenly the beach would be bare. I brought it to my sister, Erika, who was ecstatic, and then a second later she asked if I was allowed to take the rock. I looked for signs and didn't see any, so I assume I am not a lawbreaker! ;-)
We arrived in Forks when it was close to complete darkness. We did a first pass along the main drag to see which motels were available and what our options were. We decided to try the Forks Motel. I went in there right after 4 people, waited about 10 minutes to discover that there were no rooms available. Sarah and I decided to try the first place we saw that was AAA certified after that. It was at the front part of town. We drove there and went to the back entrance where we discovered there were no vacancies.
We made a last ditch effort to find a place by going to the local grocery store and asking if there were any places they knew of. Two ladies helped us and I was able to talk to one motel keeper that suggested the Bear Creek Cabins, which were 15 miles outside of Forks. They actually had a room, so Sarah and I drove to meet the motel clerk at the Hungry Bear Restaurant to pay and get the key. At this point it was pretty late (or maybe our stressful day made it seem so) so we were glad to see the light on in the restaurant as promised. Sarah and I walked in and were met with the most acrid cooking grease smell you can imagine. While I was paying, Sarah looked up to see taxidermied animals that had dust bunnies growing on them. The woman helping us let us know that the restaurant opened at 5:30 and she hoped to see us there. There was no way in heck that Sarah, nor I, would be willing to eat there!
I quickly brushed my teeth and got into bed, noting that at least the sheets were clean.
Sarah turned on the lamp set on the table in between our beds (using a tissue so her hands wouldn't get contaminated, by the way) and she kept the light on--just in case. Well, we were lying there talking for a few minutes and I just happened to look down at the floor between us to discover a cockroach walking near my bed. I told Sarah to kill it (since she did such a good job with the mosquito and she had shoes next to her bed). She killed it under my bed. Suffice it to say I woke up quite often asking myself "Are there any bugs on me?"
The next morning we got up and quickly got ready. I dropped off the key (the woman was very miffed that we weren't eating there) and we were on our way south back through Forks.
I decided to order the mushroom ravioli, not only to pay omhage to the book, but because it's my favorite ravioli! It came with chicken, but I ordered a different sauce (alfredo instead of the pesto it came with). It was delicious! 
We both enjoyed our meal and were sufficiently satisfied for our 50 or so mile drive to our next destination: Forks!
My hiking gear:
Here are our boots:
Port Angeles is where the Olympic National Forest begins, but I had heard about this town for years from my good friend, and old roommate, Jamie. I was excited to see where Jamie came from. It's a bigger town than I had imagined.
We drove the rest of the way to the Hurricane Ridge lodge/gift shop. Sarah asked a ranger for his suggestions on the hikes and he suggested the Hurricane Ridge hike, which was a little more advanced than the 1 hour walking tour the rangers were giving every hour. I was disappointed to hear this hike was paved most of the way, but it sounded like our best option.
Beautiful wildflowers along the trail:
In an effort to help muddy-up my new hiking shoes, Sarah allowed me to walk on the dirt to the right of the paved area. She proclaimed that I was on a hike, but since she was on cement, she was merely on a walk. The hike/walk was a steep one, so we definitely got our cardio workout in. There were a ton of people on the trail.
Sarah did venture off the trail at the very end and I followed her. That 5 minute excursion seemed more like the hikes that I've been wanting to take. Unfortunately, it was only 5 minutes! Despite the hike, the views were spectacular--and completely 360 degrees. We had a view of everything!
When we got back to the lodge we were amazed to see several deer grazing on the grass right in front of our parked car. They were so used to people, they weren't skiddish at all--not even at car noises!
