Trip to Forks Day 16, Last Day in Forks

Forks Trip Day 16, Thursday 19 September 2013 Last day in Forks

Updated General remarks at the bottom at 8pm, 19 Sep

The last day in Forks was a quiet relaxing day packing and taking a couple of hikes around town. It was a very clear sunny day. The afternoon had a little breeze but still short sleeve weather. Walked to City Hall / Police Station / Water department to get my Water Dept souvenirs – water bill, police pen, and junior police badge. Charlene mentioned that they had those on the tour Sunday evening. Walked a little further to the Miller Tree Inn to take some pictures in nice weather. The chain saw carving in really interesting. Stopped at Post Office for box or two to send stuff home.

Back at motel it did take two boxes. No sense keeping the fancy dress clothes for the parties with me and way too many books. Also sent some dirty clothes home that need to be line dried. Packed up suitcase and various odds/ends stuff.

Went for another walk, this time to the Olympic Sporting Goods store to see if they had any hiking sticks – ones with pointed end. There was no sign with hours and the door was locked. Then I walked on down to the True Value Hardware store. They were sold out of what they had. On to Chinhook Pharmacy for alcohol, my little bottle was nearly empty due to the hurt ear lobe. They are preparing for Home Coming celebration next weekend. The stores decorate inside and the windows and are judged on team spirit display. Nice chat with the cashiers.

One last drive to gas station then to Thriftway for couple of pictures of signs. Last stop was the Visitor info for their nature loop. A pleasant way to end the day and visit.

General miscellaneous comments about Forks Washington that may not have been previously mentioned.

There is more than one stop light – there is a flashing yellow light for emergency vehicles to use to stop traffic when needed.

All you have to do is stand close to the cross walk and cars stop to let you cross. I was amazed.

Everyone is friendly. Willing to chat a bit and share things about the town. They all embrace the Twilight phenomenon. I never got the impression that anyone thinks we are weird or anything for being so caught up with a series of books about vampires and werewolves.  

The people at the Forks Motel have been great. The room has been great. The shower head is half step down from wonderful – doesn’t have a massaging setting. There isn't a desk, but the table and chair are good height for using the computer as I have. There are enough outlets and easy to reach. The refrigerator was really useful; there is a microwave too. They have a little store for souvenirs and light meals and snacks that came in handy. I’ve been a happy camper here!

It is a small town. It is quaint. It is quiet and slow. It is a nice place to live.

I’ve had a very enjoyable visit, but it is time to head home. I’ll update as I have available internet connection. Hope you have enjoyed the visit along with me. Take care.

Forks Trip Pictures Day 7

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!

I am in Forks Washington!!

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

Forks Trip Planning Update 2

Not much happening this past week. My SMDs T-shirt arrived Monday. There are some nice details on it that don’t show up well in picture when ordered. There is a red pawn, white queen, a red nearly torn ribbon, some claw marks, Cullen lion and feathers floating around the logo. Hopefully the Forever in Forks T-shirt arrives soon. I found a purple polo shirt rather than a T-shirt on sale for Mrs Cope costume. Bella doesn’t mention what slacks or skirt she was wearing, so I can make that up – conservative or outrageous. The books about Forks that I ordered from the Chamber of Commerce arrived late last week. Some enjoyable reading and pretty pictures too. Speaking of pictures I ordered a digital SLR camera and lens. I finished my thank you letter and added my 'Solace' poem and got that in mail for the Project Thank You. Found some fancy paper to put the poem on, ended up looking nice.  I’m still working on setting up meeting with some people about doTerra. Once have that the schedule can be settled. 

Forks Trip Planning Update 1

One month to wait for Stephenie Meyer Days (SMDs) in Forks Washington! Making my lists and checking them twice or more.

Recently found out there are actually two local Forks organizations that put on different aspects of SMDs, so a total of three organizations. It was something of a shock to see The Hillywood Show announcement and check things out and discovered a different schedule. Exchanged some emails with SMD and got things cleared up. The names are similar and wondered if a site got hijacked or something. Neither Twilight Lexicon nor Forever in Forks had mentioned the other organization and events. [Wonder if some bad feelings between the groups. Seen that among our local science fiction community.]

There is the Forever in Forks (FiF) group, web site:  http://www.foreverinforks.com/  . They are the group that plans an annual event in different places. This year they are working with Stephenie Meyer Day to coordinate various activities over the weekend. Last year it was in LA in conjunction with the BD2 movie premier. They pick places associated with the Saga in some way. They do a poll to see what the people’s preferences are. By the time I found out it was decided in Forks Washington for SMD. Last month they had a poll up with location and weekend choices for next year. You pay for a ticket to all of their events or just the big party night. At least for this time there are a few meals included in the price. I decided to do the whole thing for a variety of reasons. The price actually seems reasonable for all that you are getting, better deal than the special gold packages CreationCon usually has at least in my opinion. The movie viewing is the only thing I’m not really interested in. At the party there is an auction and raffle to raise money for a charity, this year it is Stand Up 2 Cancer. They recently announced that there will be an acoustic concert from some of the artists on the soundtracks and one of the actors, Cider Sky, Iko and Tinsel Korey. They are asking for donations to the auction and raffle. I’m thinking about donating a couple of items. I am trying to downsize my collectibles. That night I will really need to keep that in mind.

There is the Stephenie Meyer Day (SMD), web site: http://stepheniemeyerday.com .  This year they are working with the FiF group and coordinating events. This group offers a more immersive experience into the Saga world. To help with that they work with a group of actors to recreate the main characters, The Olympic Coven. Most of the events are free; actually so far the only ones that cost money involve meals and the prom. I’ve already volunteered to help them during the events on Thursday and Friday. It will be nice to have something to do at the prom since I don’t dance. Volunteering will also be a way to really meet people. I told them of my local science fiction experience volunteering and that my job is customer service and cashiering. The volunteer supervisor mentioned having buttons for us – chaperon for the prom. That got me thinking of doing a Mrs Cope costume, old enough and might be kind of fun. I may get a chance to flirt with Edward as a bonus, all in keeping with the characters of course. I will need a bad red wig and need to read Bella’s initial description and see if I have the appropriate clothes. Staci, the lead organizer, has been very patient in answering my questions and explaining things and offering help to make sure I have a good time. I’m looking forward to meeting her. Maybe we will have a chance to sit and talk about our differing experiences in running events.

The third group is Stephenie Meyer Days 2013 (SMD13), web site: http://www.stepheniemeyerdays21013.com  Their mission is to provide events honoring Stephenie Meyer and spotlight local businesses. With the similar names, hopefully a little understandable how one might think something funny with one or the other. The events are more like what I think of as street fair happenings. There are some duplication of events, costume contests and they have at least their own Alice and Bella for photo ops. The Hillywood Show ladies will be their guest. I am looking forward to seeing the Hindi ladies again. There are some other fun events that I may have a hard time juggling time between all the happenings.

The Hillywood Show web site: http://www.thehillywoodshow.com     

The Olympic Coven portion of SMD: http://stepheniemeyerday.com/#!/?page_id=2 

The next thing to talk about is The Forks Motel, http://forksmotel.com  They are the official motel for the FiF group. I called in early July and all the rooms were reserved already, not surprising. The gentleman that I spoke with took my name and number and requirements for their waiting list. I didn’t really expect I’d get a call, figured there were a fair number already on the list. Then out of blue there was a message left for me from Sherry – a reservation had been cancelled for a three queen bed with full kitchen. The price was only $10 more a night than the reservation I had in Port Angeles and it was in Forks and worth it. We chatted a bit and mentioned didn’t have confirmed roommates and likely only one, but three beds and kitchen would be useful. Two days later Sherry called again…there was a two queen beds room available at a big savings over the suite. WOW. I am really impressed at the service level. There was additional savings. I really need to send them a San Francisco gift, maybe some sourdough bread or Ghirardelli chocolate.

This past Saturday I heard back from both of my possible travel companions and neither can come. Good thing the room was changed from three beds to two. I’m kind of sad that I won’t have a traveling companion. Neither one being able to come was not a total surprise as I had begun to think this whole trip is something that I’m suppose to do alone – something of a quest or walkabout, to walk by faith with practical preparation done ahead of time. I am trying to keep myself open to possibilities. I am at peace with this so far, so I must be walking the path the Lord intends. I do not intend to share much more of this personal aspect of the trip. I have a written journal for that. I plan on posting to this blog on a daily basis once the trip starts. Those postings will be to share in the adventure part of the trip, pictures, places stop, other exciting things. I need to try out posting pictures. I am thinking of a Flickr account to download all the photo’s each day and post the better ones here. Check back for update and link for that if decide to go that route. Three weeks and counting for this wonderful trip to begin.

With Faith in the Lord Going to Forks Washington for Stephenie Meyer Day

The end of June I started thinking, praying, and looking into going this year to Forks Washington for Stephenie Meyer Day 12-15 September. Things started coming together, Sunday at church I got a really clear answer to prayer about it….good to go. There are actually two things going on this year. Forever in Forks (FiF) is having their annual big weekend there 13-15 September. They change location and weekend every year. A nice idea so one may have a chance to not travel so far. The City of Forks has Stephenie Meyer Day (SMD) around Bella’s birthday of 13 September. They have their first activity on Thursday 12 September and end on Saturday the 14^th. Web sites for FiF, SMD, Project Thank You and Forks Washington are at bottom.

Forever in Forks announced back in March the dates and motel arrangements, so you know by now all rooms are taken in Forks. I did call and ask to make sure and checked motel reservation on-line sites for availability. So picked a place in Port Angeles and made reservations. FiF has a ‘looking for roomie’ tab. Sent some messages out…replies came back with roommates already found. So room will be bigger expense than would like, but…still going. One person is still a remote possibility. One of my usual pre-readers is a possible travel companion.

I am planning on two weeks total. Plan to take long slow drive along the coast as much as possible. Taking cameras and will likely stop lots to take pictures. Pre-reader suggested looking for agates at one place…sounds fun and different. I’ve never been rock hunting that I remember. So my pre-reader, if she can make it, would join me for the travels not just SMD and Twilight sites. I’ve told her I’m flexible on plans to be shorter for her part if need to be for the trip to fit her schedule. It would be fun to have a travel companion for any part of the trip.

Meeting people is one reason for deciding to go whole hog and get the full FiF package deal. A number of meals are included, so think it will be worth it. I’ve not actually read about any past SMD events for how many people are there. Figure lots. The FiF seems like it might be a little more controlled and limited number of people at one time. Big crowds tend to put me into shy observe mode. I want to meet and talk to people who are fans of Twilight and Stephenie Meyer, not observe them. Even with fewer people I’ll still likely need to get out of my usual reserve self. ‘Party Abby’ will need to be there.

One reason for going this year is the 10 year anniversary of Ms Meyer’s dream that became Twilight. It seems the perfect time to go. It has only been 3.5 years since I first read the books and discovered fan sites and fan fiction. My interest in Twilight isn’t waning, but I am reallocating time spent on Twilight and spending more time on other interests. Being forced into early retirement from my primary profession, I have the free time if not a lot of money to go this year.

Having a good digital camera would be really nice for the trip to download daily and see how doing as go along. It would also save money on processing film and printing pictures. My little compact point-n-shoot digital doesn’t always give me the picture I want or the one I think I’m taking – my eye focus is the part of the problem, looks good on the screen, but full size on computer not good at all. The camera auto-focus isn’t focusing on what I want it to or think it is focused on. I am starting to think it is time to upgrade to digital SLR where I can really see and make sure focus on what I want.

In an effort to clean out condo / downsize collectibles and help finance this trip and camera upgrade I will be selling some of my collectible items – Star Trek movie poster set in silver, large Enterprise model, several Christmas ornaments. 

There are lots of reason I should not be going on this trip and other things I should be doing and other things I should be spending money on – lack of funds in general due to forced early retirement, family history project for nieces and nephews, cleaning out house, learning about alternative health options especially essential oils and building doTerra business. There is one reason to go – it just feels like the right thing to do, spiritually and temporally. Maybe that is one of things to get out of Twilight: sometimes it does not matter what you should do, more important is what feels right to do. With faith in the Lord, I am proceeding with this trip.

http://www.foreverinforks.com/

http://stepheniemeyerday.com/

http://stepheniemeyerday.com/#!/?page_id=915   Project Thank You

http://forkswa.com/