Late one night nearly five years ago, I was huddled in front of my laptop screen debating about pushing a button labeled “Publish.” Pressing it meant the start of a new chapter in my wonderful and strange journey through David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks. At the time, I had no idea where the path would lead me. Sitting here tonight after spending yet another incredible week in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, I can say it was a damn fine decision to launch this blog. Let me show you why with highlights from my adventures in Washington state.
WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS
In addition to celebrating five years for Twin Peaks Blog, this October I will have been a Twin Peaks fan for 30 years. I never thought watching those VHS tapes of the pilot episode and the first season borrowed from my local library would have transported me to the Welcome to Twin Peaks sign spot along Reinig Road in Snoqualmie, Washington.
The last time I visited Snoqualmie Valley was in January 2020, just before the entire world changed. The passage of time certainly affected this iconic sign spot, with the local government enacting erosion control plans that dramatically changed the look of this film location.
LAURA’S LOG MOVED
The Welcome Sign spot wasn’t the only thing that saw a dramatic change. I returned to Poulsbo, Washington to visit Kiana Lodge. This meeting and convention facility was used for several scenes in Twin Peaks. Upon arrival, I was shocked to find that the giant log near where Laura Palmer’s body was found by Pete Martell had moved!
A victim of climate change, the log is still on the shore but far from the silver marker where it was originally located. The passage of time changes many things, especially when you are a Twin Peaks fan.
THE REAL TWIN PEAKS
After a few days on Bainbridge Island, I was joined by my wife Kate in the “real Twin Peaks” – also known as Snoqualmie and North Bend, Washington. The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber and North Bend Downtown Foundation held an event where fans from all over the world gathered from February 24-26 to celebrate a shared loved of this television show. I will have oodles of content to share in the coming weeks about this fan gathering. For now, I can say it was spectacular!
My wife found a t-shirt she liked at the Snoqualmie Trading Co. in downtown Snoqualmie – and she’s no where near the super fan I am.
TWIN PEAKS DAY BREAKFAST
We stayed at the incomparable Salish Lodge & Spa perched high above the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls. One of the best things Katie and I enjoyed on February 24 was the “Twin Peaks Day” breakfast in the Dining Room at the Salish Lodge. Breakfast Sous Chef Sergio, who is a super-fan of Twin Peaks, prepared the menu. It made me feel like I was dining in The Timber Room at The Great Northern Hotel.
WHERE PIES GO…
After years of corresponding via social media, I finally met Rachel, also known as the new Norma Jennings, at Twede’s Cafe. With husband Max and her, they have transformed this North Bend cafe into a Twin Peaks wonderland.
Katie and I enjoyed damn fine cups of coffee at Twede’s Cafe.
Just one of the many hidden treasures in Twede’s Cafe is the “Today’s StockPot Soup” sign listing soup specials. This replica sign was created by the talented Jason Mattson (who also made the Twin Peaks Blog logo at the top of this article). The sign was featured in the Double R Diner throughout the first two seasons of the show. A bonus for eagle-eyed fans.
CITY OF CARNATION PROCLAMATION
One of the most surreal-yet-cool moments during my visit was learning from fellow Bookhouse Boy and Mayor of Twin Peaks, Karl Reinsch, that the City of Carnation sited Twin Peaks Blog in their Facebook post for Twin Peaks Day. This was the first year that Carnation participated with an official proclamation from the mayor.
The Twin Peaks Town Hall location is now residential condos but thanks to the former InTwinPeaks.com, we get a look inside.
THE PANELS
Speaking of inside looks, one of the most enjoyable parts of the Twin Peaks Day weekend was the panels. I was honored to be included on a panel hosted by Vinnie Guidera and joined by prop replica-master Jason Mattson. We shared about our collective interests in Twin Peaks props, how to identify them and how to recreate them. Five years ago, I never thought this would have been a thing!
The feedback from those in attendance was very encouraging. It reminded Vinnie, Jason and me that the many hours tracking down props was worth it.
There were other panels hosted by Scott Ryan and Emily Marinelli which included conversation about Season Three, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, acting for David Lynch and more. Lots of video coming to the Twin Peaks Blog YouTube channel soon.
VISITING LOCATIONS
One of my favorite panels was a conversation with Scott Ryan and Dave Drummond who served as the Location Manager in Washington State for Twin Peaks Season Three on Showtime.
Dave offered a fascinating look at his work on third season. I could have listed to him for hours! Visiting the real locations is something I’ve frequently covered on Twin Peaks Blog. Here are additional winter looks for some of those Washington state locations.
WISTERIA LODGE PERFORMS
The music of Wisteria Lodge filled the air on February 24, 2023 at a private event in SnoValley Eagles. Wow – they were a fantastic addition for such a special night.
WHOLE DAMN TOWN
The most memorable part for me these past five years has been connecting with fellow Bookhouse Boys and Gals from around the world who love this damn show as much as I do. It was delightful to see so many of them in person during the trip. There was a time nearly 30 years ago when I thought my friend Joe Neff and I were the only fan of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s show. Social media, despite some of its hiccups, changed all that. It has given me the ability to connect with others and share our love of cherry pie and coffee. I’m grateful to walk in this life with them.
I also have to thank my wife Katie who has supported my obsession these past five years. She has encouraged me to pursue my interests and I’m glad she could attend the event as well.
Eighteen-year old Steven would have never believed all these years later that I’d be sharing this journey with you. He would have never believed that he’d be surrounded by Twin Peaks stars at Spooky Empire in Orlando, Florida in October 2022, or that he’d learn so much about his favorite David Lynch film – Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – during its 30th anniversary year.
I’m thankful for the kind words about this website and for you reading my many ramblings about the tiniest little details. Thank you to my fellow authors – Vinnie, Jason and Jason, Dugpa, Brad – on this site who have shared their stories.
Thank you for those who paved the way before me – Trichrome from Alt.T.V.Twin-Peaks, Bruce Phillips, John Thorne, Craig Miller from Wrapped in Plastic, Dugpa, Travis B., Twin Peaks Archive, In Twin Peaks, Welcome to Twin Peaks, Twin Peaks Unwrapped, Scott Ryan and Blue Rose Magazine, and countless other. I’m just the latest in a long line of Bookhouse Boys who are destined to preserve the history of this show we love.
Most importantly, thank you to Mark Frost and David Lynch along with the entire cast and crew who made Twin Peaks a reality. Year after year and article after article, I fall more in love with this world.
Here’s to the next five years and beyond. I’m going to need some more coffee.
Steven, this post fills me with so much joy. I’m so grateful for your amazing and beautiful work.
Love this blog. Why I didn’t know about it before, I’ll never know. Now that my husband and I are official Washingtonians, I hope we can go to next years Twin Peaks Days. Here’s hoping it becomes an annual event. Sherry Janke
Thank you for all you do!