Roadhouse and Bookhouse under cloud-filled sky

Visiting the Real Twin Peaks in September 2019

Preview of my visit to the real Twin Peaks in Washington State from Sept. 13-18, 2019
Preview of my visit to the real Twin Peaks in Washington State from Sept. 13-18, 2019.

“I’m back!” – Leland Palmer in Episode 2001

Just like Leland, I have returned from an incredible birthday trip to Washington State. I had not visited the region since August 1996 when I attended the Twin Peaks Fan Fest. Twenty-three years later, I now question why it took me so long to return. I ended up visiting about 90 film locations and spots, drove about 250 miles and ate five slices of cherry pie. I’m currently editing the more than 2,900 photos and videos, but I wanted to give you a sneak preview of what I discovered. Needless to say, there will be many updates to the film locations page coming very soon.

Mt. Rainier as seen from my Delta airplane.
Mt. Rainier as seen from my Delta airplane window.

I visited Washington from Friday, September 13 through Wednesday, September 18, 2019. For my birthday this year (September 17), I wanted to enjoy cherry pie and damn fine coffee at the “Double R Diner” also known as Twede’s Cafe in North Bend. As soon as the trip began, I was greeted with spectacular views, such as Mt. Rainier peeking through the cloudy sky.

BOOKHOUSE BOYS & GALS

Bookhouse Boys and Gals
Bookhouse Boys and Gals. Group photo by Aaron Cohen.

Upon landing, I was welcomed by several long-time Twin Peaks fans (the Bookhouse Boys & Gals), many of whom I had only met via social media. It quickly turned into a mini-fan fest as we reminisced about favorite scenes, locations, stories and more. It was nice to see Aaron Cohen again who I first met in person at the July 2019 Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me event in Columbus, Ohio. We dined with several folks (Mark, Erin, Mary, Vinnie and Christin). Karl and I spent hours chatting about local history which was fascinating.

Mary Reber (Mrs. Tremond) and me at her home, the actual Palmer house!
Mary Reber (Mrs. Tremond) and me at her home, the actual Palmer house!

Visiting Mary Reber at the actual Palmer family house was a dream. Mary played Mrs. Tremond in Part 18 on Showtime.

Mrs. Tremond in Part 18
Part 18

It was surreal when she asked if I wanted to step inside the home.

Dinner
Dinner with more Bookhouse Gals at Mazatlan in Everett, Washington. Photo by Aaron Cohen.

We met up with Eva, Amy and Tara and dinned at Mazatlan in Everett, Washington. Damn good food!

At Smokey Joe's in Snoqualmie, Washington.
At Smokey Joe’s in Snoqualmie, Washington. Photo by Aaron Cohen.

The night ended at Smokey Joe’s in Snoqualmie where a “trucker” was confronted by someone who took off her face. You may recognize the spot from Part 14 which was called Elk’s Point Bar #9.

And this was just the first day!

VISITING FILM LOCATIONS

As mentioned, I visited about 90 locations throughout the area to capture shot-for-shot photos, ala InTwinPeaks style. Here are a handful of those images which will be updated on the site.

Twede's Cafe and Mt. Si in North Bend, Washington
Twede’s Cafe and Mt. Si in North Bend, Washington
The top of Snoqualmie Falls at night.
The top of Snoqualmie Falls at night.
Carl Rodd's bench from E.J. Roberts Park in North Bend.
Carl Rodd’s bench from E.J. Roberts Park in North Bend.
The Intersection from Twin Peaks - Fire Walk With Me
The Intersection from Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me (this one is for Scott Ryan from Blue Rose Magazine).
Doorknob from Laura Palmer's bedroom in Everett, Washington.
Doorknob from Laura Palmer’s bedroom in Everett, Washington.
Room 6 at the Mt. Si Motel.
Room 6 at the Mt. Si Motel.

During my location visits, I ran into Special Agent David Isreal twice.

David and met at the former Weyerhaeuser Mill location.

He runs the Twin Peaks Tour in the area which gives you a first hand look at many of these film locations.

SURREAL VISIT TO OLALLIE STATE PARK

I don’t know how I didn’t faint after visiting some of these locations. “Surreal” isn’t a strong enough word to describe the sensation. I’ve spent the past 23 years watching and examining every inch of the series and film, even more since February 2018 when I launched Twin Peaks Blog. To walk in these spaces was an out-of-body-experience.

Deer Meadow Sheriff Department in Olallie State Park
Deer Meadow Sheriff Department in Olallie State Park

For example, I loved seeing the Deer Meadow Sheriff’s Department at Olallie State Park as I adore the first 35-minutes of Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me. Visiting the actual spot (which is a private home for the Park Ranger Rick and family) was amazing!

Jill and me by Jack Rabbit's Palace in Oallie State Park
Jill and me by Jack Rabbit’s Palace in Oallie State Park

I was forever grateful that Jill took me on a personal tour of Olallie State Park, which is basically like the Twin Peaks version of Disneyland. There are so many scenes shot in this location and I documented many of them.

Location Agent Cooper watches Laura Palmer and James Hurley in Part 17
Location Agent Cooper watches Laura Palmer and James Hurley in Part 17

This is the spot in Part 17 on Showtime where Agent Cooper watches Laura Palmer and James Hurley. I documented ALL of the spots from this scene (coming soon). Here are a few more from Olallie State Park.

Naido's Spot from Part 14
Naido’s Spot from Part 14
Where Jerry Horne sat watching Dr. Amp in Part 5
Where Jerry Horne sat watching Dr. Amp in Part 5
Photographing Gersten Hayward's spot from Part 15
Photographing Gersten Hayward’s spot from Part 15. Photo by Jill Watson.
Spot where Bobby Briggs tests drugs from The Missing Pieces.
Spot where Bobby Briggs tests drugs from The Missing Pieces.

I also had to get creative to capture some of these images.

Make-shift camera crane at Olallie State Park.
Make-shift camera crane at Olallie State Park.

Since I didn’t have a camera crane, I used my tripod to capture an iconic spot by Olallie State Park.

Road into "Deer Meadow" at Olallie State Park
Road into “Deer Meadow” at Olallie State Park
Fire Walk With Me
Fire Walk With Me

You may recognize this as the road into Deer Meadow from Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me. The angle is almost there but I needed to be even higher in the sky. Maybe next time.

MORE TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Traffic lights at North Bend Way and Bendigo Boulevard
Traffic lights at North Bend Way and Bendigo Boulevard

I even stayed up late to capture some iconic locations such as the traffic lights at Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way. This shot was taken at 1:51 a.m.

Volition Brewing Co.
Volition Brewing Co.

Besides pie and coffee at Twede’s Cafe, I really enjoyed craft beer at the newly opened Volition Brewing Co. in North Bend. You may recall me discussing this as the spot where Nadine Hurley had her Run Silent, Run Drapes store in Season 3. It’s definitely a must-stop location when you are in town.

The mountains kiss high heaven.
The mountains kiss high heaven.

Words can’t describe the wonderful beauty of Washington State. This was the sun rising over a mountain as I was on my way to Olallie State Park for the third time.

There was also a strangeness in the air.

While enjoying coffee at Twede’s, I thought I spotted Phillip Jeffries. Perhaps he was telling me that I need to come back soon.

Stay tuned as I have many more images and stories to share from a birthday trip I’ll never forget.

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

    View all posts

3 thoughts on “Visiting the Real Twin Peaks in September 2019

    1. Thank you, Mary! I can’t wait to hang some of these shots up in the house.

  1. You were two months ahead of me! My husband (who lived in Lacey, WA for over 10 years) arranged a Twin Peaks trip for my 50th (I’ve been a fangirl since just after the series aired). We have so many of the same shots. 🙂 He says he couldn’t decide which was more fun — looking at the real life filming locations or looking at ME looking at the real life filming locations. Surreal experience, indeed!

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