Back in 1990-91 there was a one-season TV series called Twin Peaks. Do you remember? It was written and directed by David Lynch, and like him it was a…umm…very eccentric series which developed a cult following, but was not popular enough to continue to season two…not at the time anyway. They did make a follow-up movie, “Fire Walk With Me”, which was apparently more irritating than helpful as it left more questions than it solved.
(oops. Error! Jason told me there were 2 seasons. The first had 7 shows and the second had 22 shows!)
I never got into the series because I never understood it. My son Jason was a devoted fan, however. I liked the setting though, which was a tiny town in Washington, close to the Canadian boarder. I thought, since I’m in the area, why not visit? I set out to find Twin Peaks. Hmm. Not on the map. I asked Jason about it and he reminded me it was a made up name, and they did a lot of filming in the Snoqualmie area.
So here I am, in the Snoqualmie area! First I wanted to check out the falls here.
Snoqualmie Falls
Here the water falls down 268 foot granite cliffs in the setting of forest and mountains. Just beautiful. Gentle rain falls mixing with the mist from the falling water, but it seems like the perfect setting. There are excellent trails through the woods and dogs are allowed. We are all soaked by the time we come back to JR.
Back to Twin Peaks. The three towns where much of the filming took place are Fall City, a few miles SE of that is Snoqualmie, and a few miles SE of that is North Bend. Checking out the Washington Benchmark Road Atlas I discover that there is a mountain not far from North Bend called Twin Peaks, part of the Cascade Range, so I’m presuming they took the name from the mountain.
I set out to find some of the tv show related places, and it was pretty fun. I had to search the internet to learn what to look for. Turns out the hotel by the falls, The Salish Inn and Spa was used as The Great Northern Hotel in the series. FBI Agent Cooper stayed there as I remember. I think about having dinner or lunch there but wow, the prices are outrageous, and in reality if Agent Cooper were to spend time there now it would cost the FBI $300 a night.
Next I want to find the place where the “Welcome To Twin Peaks” sign was. Not a hard task as it’s marked on Google Maps! The sign is no longer there but they put it up when they have their yearly Twin Peaks Festival, I’m told.
When I arrive at the spot the mountains in the distance that the town is named for are so shrouded in fog that I can’t see them at all. I go back later when the fog clears a bit and take this picture right in front of the spot where the sign used to be located.
Site of the “Welcome To Twin Peaks” sign.
Heading back towards North Bend, I stop at what used to be a railroad bridge that was part of the follow-up movie “Fire Walk With Me.” It’s no longer attached to a railroad, but is used as a footbridge for hikers.
Footbridge across the Snoqualmie River
A tidbit of info here…26 years later, which will be next year, season 2 of the Twin Peaks series will air. David Lynch will again write and direct and he’s already been here doing whatever directors have to do in advance of filming. I know he talked to the mayor of North Bend and had a chocolate ice cream cone at his ice cream store.
Sooo…I learn from the locals that just today this sign had been erected at the restaurant famous in the series because of it’s Cherry Pie and ‘a damn fine cup of coffee.’
Known in the series as The Double D Diner, I believe. It’s been called Twede’s since Mr Twede bought it, but that’s started to change for filming.
Well, I have to go in. “Do you really have cherry pie?” I ask. (well duh). “We sure do!” the cute little waitress tells me, wearing her Twin Peaks tee shirt. “Could I have a piece of cherry pie and a damn fine cup of coffee then?” 🙂
The pie? Yum!
The coffee? NOT damn fine! Yuck.
I go into a gift shop to get some Twin Peaks souvenirs for Jason and Mandy. (Made locally I might ad!) The shop owner lived here during the original series and shares some of her memories. She says she thinks filming of ‘season 2’ may start in October but she’s not sure because they are keeping it hush-hush.
I also ask her about hair salons. My hair is too long, which I’ve realized today as it’s raining and my hair is all plastered to my head and driving me nuts. She recommends a couple. it turns out they are all booked up today since school starts tomorrow, but I make an appointment for tomorrow afternoon at “Another Hair Place.”
The whole area seems pretty other-worldly to me, perfect for the Twin Peaks series, which is frankly…weird. 🙂 On the way back to my campsite in Fall City, we see this through the sun and the rain:
Rainbow!
Next day I go back for my haircut.
Came back for my authentic Twin Peaks haircut. 🙂
One thing I can tell you about western Washington: Always bring your raincoat and/or umbrella. Don’t leave home without them!
Wandering Spirit 
You look so happy, Micky!
Life is good!
Beautiful there and you look fantastic!
Replies have gotten out of order again. See below. I think.
Very becoming. You look great.
Cat Lady
Thanks Cat Lady!
Thanks Marie, yes it is beautiful here and in a lot of ways it reminds me of Michigan.
You are amazing and doesn´t look more than 50 something.OF COURSE I remember Twin Peaks.It feels as if it was a couple of years ago.Just listening to a Stones concert from 89 in Montreal.They were then even more amazing thaan in Detroit.Have a nice!h2uasaj
Hi Ulf, I had no idea that Twin Peaks was released in Sweden! So then watch for it to come back next year there I expect, as well.
Hey, I’ll take 50 something, but it’s only cuz it’s not a close enough picture to see most of the lines and wrinkles, which also are disguised somewhat when I smile. 😃. Good reason to smile.
In 89 it was Steel Wheels, and the last tour that I didn’t see live until Zip Code. However I watched it on video at least 100 times and I’m not exaggerating here. Also went and saw it at the IMAX movie 14 times.
See that’s what I’m talkin’ about when I call myself an “Out Of Control Rolling Stones Fan”.🎶🎸❤️
H2ufjs&m
Hi! Lynda Jerome from Prescott here. I have looked at your recent pictures and am feeling a little nostalgic. My husband was from Seattle. We lived there for some years. Snoqualamie Bridge looks so familiar. I think the salmon run up that river in the fall. Beautiful coultry this time of year. Better leave by the first of October. It starts to rain and will not stop for nine months.
Hi Lynda! Good to hear from you. I can sure see why you would enjoy living in this area. This is just beautiful country and I’m enjoying the time here very much. I’m planning to check out a couple more places not too far from here and then I’ll be heading east in just a tad over a week.
I know it’s gotta rain like crazy to maintain all this lush green, but it’s so nice to be around flowing rivers and nothing but green. I’m loving it.
I wish I were able to write my adventures like you. Ever thought about being a Ghost Writer?
I think what it is Linda, is all the years of journal writing. Say like, a book a year since I was in the 4th grade and someone gave me a ‘Girl Scout Diary’… You know, the kind with the little key?
Now I’m just an older girl scout and I’m not using that key anymore.
Actually I still write private stuff too, but I love sharing these adventures… And boring stuff too…depends on what your interested in.
I’m not sure what a ghost writer is? Writing under another name, or writing someone else’s story?
LOVED Twin Peaks, and I am a huge David Lynch fan. If you can find it sometime check out his early movie “Eraserhead”. Very strange. But than I’ve always been attracted to weird, probably says a lot about me.
Photos look great. How is your data usage working out since you switched to smaller photos? Also I’m sorry if you answered this before but what plan are you using for your internet?
Hi Badger Rick, I’ll have to see if Jason has seen Eraserhead. Yeah, sounds weird. :-)))
I like you weird! I’m weird too! :-)))
Data usage…well I was using free internet for awhile and then this last time I used my own. Those pictures I posted seem to have taken 3 GB’s. I think that is way too much. Joel, my computer guru says I’m using way too much and he can’t figure out why or how.
I have ATT 10 Gb per month and unlimited texting and phone. It costs me…gulp…$150 something a month. Except now they are rolling over unused GB’s…or at least some of them. AND, I got a text from them the other day telling me that I now get 5 more GB’s a month, no extra charge. Not sure why that happened. I have a little hot spot thingie that I can use, and I can hook it up to the Joel Pole if it needs a boost. Or I can just use cellular if it’s available, like now. All comes out of the same bucket…I think.
Ben there done that. Click on this link http://www.edwardfrey.com/biketrips/trip5.html and then scroll down to the first pictures that you see.
Like minds think alike – I got my hair cut today also.
Holy Moley Ed! Everybody, click in that link above and see Ed’s story! Oh! My! Gosh!
You were within 5 miles of my old house (Sammamish) if you were on the Fall City/Redmond Hwy.
It’s a beautiful area, indeed. It has been fun to see you explore my old stomping ground.
I didn’t watch Twin Peaks but here’s some more TV trivia for that area …… did you watch Northern Exposure? The show supposedly took place in Cicely Alaska but the exterior shots were all from Roslyn, WA and the opening sequence is the Roslyn Cafe. Roslyn is about 20 minutes beyond Snoqualmie.
Hi Caroline, no I didn’t watch that either, and I know I was close to that spot but never got there. I would like to watch that series someday though, mainly because I really like Graham Green and he’s in it.
It is just amazingly beautiful here, you must miss it! Very different from Las Vegas!
Your travels have taken you to where Gip and I have been. This is one of his favorite places … since he’s from this area. It is always so beautiful. Love your haircut! Sorry about the bad Twin Peaks cup of coffee. We’re fussy about coffee and believe us when we say you find more yucky cups of coffee than really good ones. We love the North Pole Roasting Company’s coffee which is what we buy and drink exclusively (when we are home). I’d be where you are now rather than Las Vegas any time of the year!! Love and hugs!
Hi Carmen,
I’m fussy about coffee too, but I’m sure most people wouldn’t like it the way I make mine. It’s what I wake up for every day, in fact sometimes when I go to bed I’m thinking…I can’t wait till morning when I can have my coffee! I was thinking I should write a blog just about coffee while out this way because it’s ALL about coffee in these parts! I’ve never seen so many little stand alone drive through coffee places, and that’s on top of regular coffee houses, coffee shops, etc.
I knew Gip was from Washington, but where exactly?