Remember – Washington State in January 2020

This morning I awoke greatly missing the Pacific Northwest. After checking the the calendar, I realized that one year ago today I was wrapping up my third visit in six months to the Evergreen State. I spent five days visiting numerous film locations in both Snoqualmie Valley and on Bainbridge Island across Puget Sound from Seattle. Here are several images from that visit that help me, to paraphrase The Fireman from Season 3, “remember” Washington State.

JANUARY 22-26, 2020

I began my trip to Washington state by returning to Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo on Bainbridge Island. The last time I stepped foot on this spot was August 9, 1996, so returning was a wonderful and strange moment.

It’s difficult to believe that the first cases of COVID-19 were just being identified in Washington around this time. Phrases like “face covering” or “social distancing” were unspoken concepts as I stood by the giant log where Laura Palmer’s body was found.

NIGHTTIME AT THE ROADHOUSE

I dropped by The Roadhouse Restaurant and Inn in Fall City at night which served as the exterior location for the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks. The location originally opened in 1916 and has been a staple of the Snoqualmie Valley region for more than 100 years.

This pandemic has certainly caused challenges for many of these great spots. You can help keep The Roadhouse open by visiting this GoFundMe page.

It rained literally every day during my visit. While outside the Roadhouse, I think I caught a reflection of the neon Bang Bang Bar sign. No one calls it the “Bang Bang Bar.” It’s the Roadhouse.

SPARKWOOD AND 21

The winter season gave a different look to the location that served for Sparkwood and 21 in Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me.

In the distance you can see Reinig Road bridge which is the same one Ronette Pulaski crossed in the Pilot Episode.

THE SALISH LODGE AND FALLS

At The Salish Lodge, I snapped a photo from across the street in an attempt to match shots seen in Seasons 1 and 2.

The overgrowth changes the look of this establishing shot we first see in Episode 1005.

Snoqualmie Falls (White Tail Falls in Twin Peaks) looked so majestic thanks to all of that rain.

I tried matching a similar shot seen throughout Season 2.

INTERIOR SHOTS

I peeked through the window of the former Fall City Diner / Fall City Grill which was the location of Hap’s Diner in David Lynch’s 1992 film.

The staff at Dirtfish Rally School was incredibly gracious as I took several interior photos. This was the location of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department call center in Season 3. This building used to be the former offices of the Weyerhaeuser Sawmill.

TWEDE’S CAFE

I was delighted to spend lots of time at Twede’s Cafe located in the shadow of Mount Si in North Bend. This was around the time that ownership of this classic American diner was changing hands from Kyle Twede to Rachel Bennet and her husband Max Spears. I can’t wait to get back to the diner to see what enhancements they made (oh, I’m missing their damn, fine coffee and cherry pie too)

You can bring home the Double R Diner with unique merchandise created for Twede’s Cafe. Visit them online at TwedesCafeMerch.com.

OLALLIE STATE PARK

One of my favorite spots to visit was Olallie State Park outside of North Bend. It’s basically a Disneyland for Twin Peaks film locations as scenes for both Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me and Season 3 were filmed in the park.

The Snoqualmie River was particularly high at the spot where they filmed Teresa Banks’ body floating down Wind River.

The spot near the entrance to Weeks Fall trail where Agent Cooper finds Laura Palmer in the woods during Part 17 was completely flooded.

Naido’s spot from Mr. C’s point-of-view in Part 14.

I still can’t get over how green everything was during my visit, like Steven and Gersten’s tree from Part 15.

The Weeks Falls trail ends at Weeks Falls which was also looking spectacular during my late January visit.

CONVENIENCE STORE

I think you say, “Convenience Store.”

SNOQUALMIE POINT PARK

A nice day for a picnic at Snoqualmie Point Park.

Walking in the footsteps of giants – David Lynch and Mark Frost during the filming of the Pilot episode in 1989.

BACK TO KIANA LODGE

I close with one more look at Laura Palmer’s log on the shore near Kiana Lodge.

For now, I’m longing to return to the Pacific Northwest.

Please wear a mask, be safe and love others.