Once the three screenings of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me with Sheryl Lee at the North Bend Theatre ended, I skipped over to Bainbridge Island to visit Kiana Lodge. You may recall this historic spot on Bainbridge Island served as a film location during the Pilot episode. When I visited in February 2023 during the Real Twin Peaks event, I learned that Laura Palmer’s log where her body was discovered by Pete Martell had moved down shore. Did the log return to it’s starting position since that time?
WHERE IS LAURA PALMER’S LOG FROM TWIN PEAKS LOCATED?
Laura Palmer’s log is found along the shore of Kiana Lodge located at 14976 Sandy Hook Rd NE in Poulsbo. Today, the Suquamish Tribe owns this private wedding and meeting location. While they welcome visitors, they ask you give their paying clients their privacy. Call ahead to check their schedule – (360) 598-4311.
I called the lodge on Sunday, August 18, 2024 to confirm I could drop by. They said Monday, August 19 was better as they had an all-day event booked on Tuesday.
Upon arrival, I headed directly to the shore to see if the log had been moved back. Sadly, the log is still far away from where it was seen in the Pilot episode (as seen in the featured image). It was low tide so I could easily walk out onto the rocky beach.
The lighter square along the embankment is where a plaque once identified the spot of Laura Palmer’s log. When I visited in February 2023, the plaque was still attached to the concrete.
Thankfully, the lighter colored rectangle helps determine the original position of the log. In time, I imagine the lighter color will fade away so all we’ll have left is memories of where the log sat.
This is how the plaque appeared when I last visited which was already beginning to crack. It said, “A pivotal scene in Twin Peaks’ pilot episode was filmed here in 1989. Laura Palmer was discovered right next to the immense log tethered before you.”
David Israel who runs TwinPeaksTour.com shared this image with me. It was taken at some point between February 2023 and August 2024. It’s unclear if the damage was caused by vandals or if the culprit, known as King Tides in Puget Sound, caused it to crack. The high waters are why the log moved away from this plaque in 2022.
This is now the view without the log tethered to it’s original spot. It’s such a strange sight to behold.
EXPLORING LAURA PALMER’S LOG
I retraced Pete Martell’s (Jack Nance) steps from the Pilot episode, shortly after he says, “The lonesome foghorn blows.” He looked back and would have seen Laura’s body wrapped in plastic next to the log. Since scenes at Kiana Lodge were shot in mid-March 1989, we don’t see the beautiful flower bushes everywhere on the property. Look carefully and you’ll spot the top of the log to the left side of the image.
I climbed down to the rocky beach and took a selfie with the log. It’s difficult to believe I first visited this a little over 28 years ago on August 9, 1996.
This is how I found the log in the mid-1990s, only a few short years after the opening scenes of the Twin Peaks Pilot episode were shot. The King Tides continue to destroy the log, particularly the front area where Laura’s body was discovered.
You can see how the underside of the log is being taken away due to the high waters. In 1996, the log was more round but now it’s flattened out.
The Kiana Lodge staff have tethered the log using ropes and chains as seen in this image with a turquoise-colored rope wrapped around a metal wire buried in the sand.
A closer look at that metal hook and rope shows they are really trying to keep the log from completely floating away.
I like that you can still see the small bend in part of the log (left side of the image above) as Pete Martell approaches Laura’s body. It gives me reassurance this iconic spot isn’t completely destroyed – it’s the same log yet different.
While visiting the log in August 2024, I took several detail shots which iI’ll share throughout this story. I figured one day I may have framed images of these details to display in my home.
LAURA PALMER’S LOG IN CHAINS
The rope on the front side wasn’t the only thing holding the log in place. On the back side, Kiana Lodge staff tied down the log with thick metal chains.
Several rusted chains were firmly attached to an opening in the log.
This log is not moving anymore – just look at those chains!
I liked this image of the heavy metal chains against the massive wooden log that is fading from the passage of time.
The log was tied down by one more cable yet somehow I think those metal chains will be a more effective deterrent.
DETAILS OF LAURA PALMER’S LOG
While examining the log, I noticed these seashells high up in a cavity along the front side of the log. Wow – the water must get pretty high for shells to be deposited inside the log. I wish I live nearby so I could see just how high the water goes.
I also spotted the Thunderbird totem pole carved by Donald Wells Keys that appeared at the Blue Pine Lodge in Twin Peaks. The totem pole was painted at some point between mid-September 2019 and November 1, 2019.
Plants have started growing on the slightly moss-covered log.
I wondered if anyone has ever counted the rings. One thing I’ve not discovered is how long the log has been parked along the shore. Kiana Lodge opened in 1937 for Seattleites looking for an escape from the city. In the 1960s, the Lodge was home to numerous convention groups and guests looking to get away to the “Evergreen Playground.” Ferry boats would regularly deliver visitors to a dock nearby. Did those folks also see this iconic log along the shore?
Perhaps during my next visit I will count the rings.
The close-up details were fascinating to ponder. I loved the textures, colors and patterns in the wood (unfortunately, Josie was not spotted).
I do worry, however, that the log will continue to rot away with the rising tide. I guess that’s why I document extensively so that future generations of Bookhouse Boys and Gals will see what once was.
The wood holds many secrets … of visits from fellow Twin Peaks fans and previous fan festival attendees.
Echoes of weddings and parties trapped inside the wood, happy and joyful times before a body was found washed upon the shore.
I’m grateful to have the opportunity to visit these places. They embody why I enjoy Mark Frost and David Lynch’s show so incredibly much – it’s the enduring mystery of a place that is wonderful and strange.
FLICKR GALLERY – CLOSER LOOK AT LAURA PALMER’S LOG
You can find high-resolution images in this Flickr Gallery. Most images have a Creative Commons license which means only attribution (Sam Howzit) is needed if you’d like to use the photos.
