First a couple of Emmett arm wrestling a fan.
Then at the group photo in front of Forks High School.
Bella and Edward were a little late getting there. Wonder what they were doing?
The coven in front of the collected fans.
At the Hoh Rainforest Hall of Mosses Trail
James stalking the humans while Alice and Rosalie take a break.
Saturday night's Forever in Forks party Jasper and karaoke.
Sunday at Nessie's Birthday party at Miller Tree Inn aka Cullen's Home
These were all taken at the Forever in Forks picnic at La Push on Friday 13 September 2013.
Edward talking to someone's friend that couldn't make it.
With Stephenie Meyer, not a good picture but sharing anyway
Friday 13 September 13. Scary day? Not so much here. Cloudy all day, good weather for our vampires to be out and about. Started off with walk to Tillicum Park to check in and get breakfast for Forever in Forks group.
It was heavy misting or light rain for most of the walk. Not unpleasant, didn't get soaked at all, just a little wet. I was one of last ones and good thing walked as no parking available. There wasn't enough seating available either. Met and chatted with a few ladies, in line and at table. The good bag was fun - drawstring backpack style with Bella's engagement ring, TWS inspired soap sample, FiF landyard, sunglasses, slap wrist bracelet, FiF button, Twilight postcard, instructions for scavenger hunt and a hard back book, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.
The rain stopped before got to the park and hadn't started up again so dry walk back to motel. I stopped at the Chinook Pharmacy and General Store to look around more than did the other day. Interesting place. Fabric, toys, over the counter meds, gifts/souvenirs - sort of felt like back in Old West general store.
Then to First Beach and picnic lunch with Olympic coven.
Looks a little different from two days ago with thick fog couldn't see the islands at all. They are much closer than thought they would be from pictures of the area.
The Olympic Coven was delayed getting there because Stephenie Meyer came to town more or less unannounced. She was at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor info signing and meeting the Olympic Coven. Lunch was good, more meeting and chatting with different folks. Stephenie came to our area but stayed away from the lunch site...word got around. Didn't have a chance to talk with her, but did see her and cried about it. I don't know who the other lady is.
She said that she would be back. She had to go meet with Mayor and open SM Day. Apparently she hadn't been here for several years for this yearly event. We were richly blessed. I ended up leaving for a break since no specific time for bon fire and S'mores. Didn't make it back to First beach for the bon fire and SM visit for variety of reasons.
Went to the Roundhouse for the music fest for a few minutes. Talked with the Hindi Sisters from The Hillywood Show. Then to the FiF fan fiction discussion. Interesting discussion about stories never heard of and from sounds of won't likely read - sounds like most would be M rated. Back to Roundhouse to see the end of Eclipse parody and then the two Breaking Dawn ones. Hilly and Hannah answered questions after that. Getting tired and had to update this, so I left after a couple of questions. Heard that SM was suppose to show up at the Roundhouse, don't know if she did or not. The Hindi Sisters met SM for the first time during their meet and greet at Sully's Burgers.
Tomorrow is visit to Hoh Rainforest - aka Bella's First Hunt trip. So off to bed for me.
As end of day 8 post stated, I started today out working on the pictures posts and day 8 post. It was cloudy all day and comfortable temperature. About noon I got out and started Twilight tour with a stop at the Chamber of Commerce. There are two red trucks in their parking lot. One is movie version and one the book version.
Their door sticks a little and person on other side helped out...Jacob with Nessie. Victoria and James were there as well. All looked good. Actor Jacob a little too short and young looking for the character. Victoria had a real edge to her and kind of constantly looking around for escape routes. Got the info needed from the CC. Looked into the lumber museum. Had a nice chat with lady there. There are two hiking loops. One is about half mile, no mileage given for the other one. Will have to go back and do at least the half mile one. There are some old machinery on display by the museum.
Then went hunting for a new chain for glasses as one broke. Thiftway didn't have any so the lady called the local pharmacy store and yes they had some. So off to visit there. Chatted with one of the pharmacy staff. Then over to the Native to Twilight store. Found a nice dark grey zippered jacket with native design on the back. It is lightweight jacket replacing old one that has seen better days. Also found some huckleberry candy. Jacob, Nessie, James, Victoria, Esme and Carlisle were also in the store.
Then time for the Meet and Greet Olympic Coven formally at Mill Creek Bar and Grill. They were late. Busy place, food available. Closed in with lots of talking so kind of loud. Hard to hear when tried chatting with a small group. Left to find food elsewhere. Not really comfortable in bars.
Had dinner at Sully's Burgers. Good salmon burger, not what I ordered, but good. Wanted the Bella burger, meat with pineapple. Drove around to find a couple more spots didn't see in earlier drive. Found the "Cullen home", Swan residence, hospital, park, high school, police station, city hall.
Left car at motel and walked to where the prom was to be at to help with decorating. Blew up balloons, separated strings of lights and helped put them up. Wind came up so had to herd the balloons back together. Moved tables and chairs out to prom area. Oh, the prom was held out doors.
Never got back to room to change into fancy clothes. Stayed in Mrs Cope outfit - black slacks, purple polo shirt. Actually got cool once sun set. Chatted with a local radio station staff person around to cover the event while wait for further directions after lights strung up. After about an hour of prom I decided to come back to room. I was in observation mode, not interact mode. The coven folks all looked good. Edward arrived without Bella initially - crossed signals getting the actors together before arriving.
Tomorrow Forever in Forks events happen - breakfast and then picnic lunch at La Push with SMD La Push adventure after the picnic. SMD2013 events start up in town. They finally published a combined schedule on Tuesday I think. Did find out that the two local groups do indeed not like each other and do not necessarily play nice together. Sad. It would benefit both to work together and still provide both types of experiences. That's all for today. Good night. Take care. Wishing I had some of you with me.
Hiking day for 11 Sep 13, Day 8 of trip. Gwen and I planned to meet up in the Sol Duc Hot Springs area. That didn't work out as planned. We missed each other and then lost cell service. I enjoyed some hikes and views along the way to the hot springs. I stopped at the Salmon Cascades Exhibit. Nice little hike to get closer to water.
The ranger said that some salmon have been spotted here, but none around when I was. The next stop was the Ancient Grove loop. The trail head was a little hard to find, but well worth the hike.
New trees growing out of old ones.
Beautiful overhead canopy.
I stopped and looked around at the Ranger Station. Picked up a better map of park and book on easy day hikes. Then to the springs. Sulfur smell hit you when first walk in. Then drive a little further to get to the Sol Duc Falls trail head. Magnificent falls at the end and some little ones on creeks along the way.
This last one is a little creek falls along the way. Ate lunch at the end before hiking back to car. Chatted with some folks from Wisconsin on the way back. They are out visiting National Parks.
Went out to La Push and First Beach before returning to motel. Finally saw some fog and cooled down. Sequim was warm to hot. Today was warm. Even under tree canopy it was comfortable without a jacket of any kind.
Chatted with the Twilight tour guide. Thought about doing that in the morning. Instead I stayed in and updated the blog. I had dinner at the waterfront restaurant. Very good clam chowder. Went to Thriftway to pick up snack stuff I've run out of. Evening spent updating this blog. Now I'm all caught up, so time to get out there and see stuff. Take care.
On hike at Dungeness Spit
Bright orange mold on hike
Almost to the beach
Thought of the meerkats from "An Unexpected Woman" by Sandi Layne
Blackberries
My friend Gwen
Lake Crescent reminds me of "Emeralds to Rubies" by Katmom
I made it!
Day 1 Pictures
Day 2
Mount Shasta before hidden by clouds.
Day 6
Busy Bee in Port Orchard
Wall art in Port Orchard
Just interesting looking at Shine Beach after crossing Hood Canal
Another just interesting looking pattern on drift wood at Shine Beach
Tacoma home
Monday 9 September was day 6 of trip. This was day to see a bit of my past. I recently found some old photographs including one that had written on back "Our first home 1948" and the address in Tacoma Washington. This would be the home that they were living in when I was born. Dad was stationed at Ft Lewis and I was born at the base hospital. There are some pictures of me soon after mom and I were home from hospital and then at 18 weeks old inside the home.
I sent a postcard to the current residences saying I was going to be in the area and would like to take pictures to go with the old B&W images. I had no trouble finding the place. Currently painted yellow, Mom would like that. She would like the pink flamingos in the yard too. There is a garage and a large tool shed that wasn't there. I knocked on door and let them know I was here and make sure no problem taking the pictures. As I was getting ready to leave, so were they so chatted a bit. It is their first home. Fireplace hasn't been used in 30 odd years, but otherwise in good shape. They had just moved in three weeks ago, about the time I sent the post card. The previous owner had been there for 35+ years. So at least one other owner between my parents and the current couple.
My parents moved before I was a year old, Dad was transferred to Korea in October 1950, Mom moved to Pasadena California to be closer to both sides of family. I didn't expect to feel anything about the house. It was interesting seeing it live in person.
Before leaving Tacoma I called a friend that now lives in Sequim. She offered her place to spend one or two nights. I told her had to stop at Port Orchard and be in Sequim in the late afternoon. On the road again.
Crossed over some large expanses of water. The second one was the Hood Canal. Significant in fan fiction story "What Drives Her" by Virginia May. The image in my head from her story was lots different from reality. Say canal to me and think of Venice, Italy or Florida developments with canals to give river access to more homeowners. The real Hood Canal is wide and big with long floating bridge across it.
Port Orchard was quaint and nice. The part I saw was nothing like Cedar Cove as shown on the Hallmark Channel series. I can see where Debbie Macomber would be inspired by the location and maybe the books match up with reality better. Port Orchard has much more of a marina and more than just personal boat marina than Cedar Cove has. Glad I stopped and looked around and had lunch.
Made one other stop at Shine Beach, west end of Hood Canal bridge. Driftwood and sea shell pictures. Then on to Sequim. Had a good evening with friend Gwen. She borrowed New Moon from a neighbor and we watched it in the media room, maybe 50 seat theater with big screen monitor.
She has a small one bedroom apartment in a senior complex. The couch was comfortable enough, but not wide enough. I fell off when turning over during the night. So when got up called Forks Motel to see if arrive a day early and acceptable - apparently I had forewarned them I might do that. Once Gwen was up, we went to Dungeness Spit. Nice hike to beach and along the spit for a bit. We did not go to the lighthouse. This was another case of image not matching reality. Gwen had mentioned beach and shops, that got mashed together in my head and I wore inappropriate shoes for what we had. More driftwood pictures. We walked back via the longer horse trail.
We went to a U-Pick farm after that. Gwen wanted some blueberries. I got some interesting pictures of blackberries. They had vines for raspberries and huckleberries too. You could pick corn and lavender also. Nice set up.
Lunch and back to apartment for me to leave and Gwen had a memorial service to go to. We agreed to met at the Sul Duc hot springs area tomorrow. On to Forks! Drive was good and easy to start. Beginning to wonder about the winding roads...that started by Lake Crescent. The lake reminded me of "Emeralds to Rubies" story by Katmom. Long and narrow. Stopped a couple of place to take pictures. And then there was the flag man with one way traffic somewhere ahead. Never did see it the one way traffic and any construction. Maybe our group was the last one for the day?
Now there is construction going on the Calawah River bridge right before enter Forks that requires you to slow to 10mph crossing the bridge. Not best time for that to be happening with big crowd coming in over the next few days. Stopped and took picture of Welcome to Forks sign. Found the Forks Motel and got a nice ground floor room away from highway. Spent evening unpacking looking for ankle braces to wear hiking tomorrow, instead of writing these updates.
These post are going up with only me rereading them once or twice. If any errors or something not clear please let me know so I can correct.
Saturday 7 September was day 4 of trip and spent driving to Bellevue Washington for a seminar on an alternative health business, more on that at some later date maybe. It was an interesting drive. The people I was staying with mentioned the traffic being a problem even on a Saturday. It was at least 1.5hr drive. They did not mention nor did my friends that use to live there ever mention fog being a problem. It was foggy and really thick in places. Got to Bellevue and missed the exit...off next one and backtrack. Got there in plenty of time. The seminar was interesting. Heard lots on things, most still settling into brain to really learn it. Chatted with some nice folks at lunch. Drive back was equally interesting. Forgot I needed gas before got on freeway...warning light reminded me, only the second time in four years. Saw a gas station on corner where I got off the freeway, but no way to get there from where I was....so down one street and two U turns later at the station. Stopped for dinner before getting back to Chehalis. Lots of "fun" driving today. Really be glad to get to Forks and stay in one place for a few days with minimal driving I hope.
Sunday 8 September was day 5 of trip. Went to church with folks staying with. Home for lunch - grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob! Good salad to complete the meal. We played three games of 'Sorry'....he won all three. Light evening food and bed kind of early. "Exciting day", much needed after all that stuff on Saturday.
I made it! I am in Forks Washington! Stephenie Meyer Days starts on Thursday at 1500hrs. I have good internet connection, so I will be able to update the missing days and daily with all the Stephenie Meyer Day events. This will be last post shared on Facebook. I will update missing days later, need to get settled some. I'm in Forks Motel if anyone needs to call me. As always comments on this blog are always appreciated. Take care until later. Abby
Found my way to home of a friend of friend, I met them once a few years ago. Nice drive from Springfield, Oregon to Chehalis, Washington. Wednesday and Thursday saw lots of cattle, today it was sheep. Flat farm lands became higher rolling hills to mountains. Stopped at Outlet Mall in Woodburn for camera store. Picked up some accessories for the new DSLR and my film cameras. Nice chat with the store person. Did not stop at all the rest stops today. Most not so interesting scenery anyway. They seem to be closer together than use to going in southern direction.
The stop for lunch also had three bus loads of high school students stopping. Traveling for Friday night football games I guess. With all the girls from the buses I decided to use the rest rooms away from main area. It was a nice walk. There was a solar equipment area in that back area. Interesting set up.
Driving through Portland was interesting. Lots of traffic. Direction sign were clear and made the drive through less stressful. Some really interesting buildings. Much more mountainous after Portland.
No plans to post tomorrow. I will be attending a seminar for alternative health business that I'm looking into becoming more active in doing. It will be long day with long drives. Take care.
