‘Twin Peekaboo’ Article About Real Twin Peaks from September 28-October 5, 1990

In a few days, I’ll be returning to the Real Twin Peaks of Snoqualmie Valley, Washington for the Behind the Badge Event at the North Bend Theatre. In anticipation of my trip, I’m sharing an article from September 1990 about three avid fans who visited the towns where Twin Peaks was filmed. Special thanks to 1400 River Road who saved this clipping from nearly 35 years ago and let me borrow it to make a high-resolution copy for the ever-growing wonderful and strange archive of my favorite television show.

‘TWIN PEEKABOO’ ARTICLE ABOUT VISITING REAL TWIN PEAKS FROM SEPT. 28-OCT. 5, 1990

This clipping is found on page 13 of an unidentified magazine published for the week of September 28 to October 5, 1990. I’ve been unable to locate the original magazine but I know it was written in summer 1990. The magazine interviewed Dan Smigrod and his friends Kathleen and Elizabeth LaBar who took a “TV-inspired vacation” following the first season of Twin Peaks.

“We would never take a tv-inspired vacation, but we found some folks who did. After seven weeks of trying to wrap their minds around a ponytailed truck driver, a dancing dwarf, a mystical G-man and a lady who swaddles her log like a baby, Dan Smigrod and his friends Kathleen and Elizabeth decided they had to see this place firsthand. So they trekked cross-country to a small town 26 miles east of Seattle. Smigrod reports: ‘We made our way to Snoqualmie Falls just in time for a spectacular sunset. Overlooking the 268-foot falls is the Salish Lodge, the show’s legendary inn. The next day we had lunch with a great view there. (Diane, if you ever come here, be sure to reserve a window table several days in advance.) Walking around Snoqualmie and North Bend (which compose the TV town of Twin Peaks) is a thrill for ‘Peakies’ – spotting the landmarks we’ve come to know so well. We worked up quite an appetite and knew exactly what would hit the spot. Like true devotees, we headed to the Mar-T Cafe, in search of the cherry pie that special agent Dale Cooper has made famous. Our waitress was no Peggy Lipton, but when she brought our slices and black coffee, she did point out the table that David Lynch had sat at (it was occupied, with another couple on the waiting list). There was only one slice of cherry left, so we also sampled Garnet Cross’s apple, chocolate peanut butter cream and coconut cream pies. We hadn’t traveled 5.000 miles just for the pie, but even if we had, it would’ve been worth it.”

“Twin Peaks’ returns to ABC on Sunday, September 30, at 9 p.m. ET and then begins its regular time slot on Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET. 

The article was published in advance of the season two premiere held on Sunday, Sept. 30, 1990.

Elizabeth LaBar took the photo of Salish Lodge and Snoqualmie Falls which was strangely printed in reverse. I’ve corrected it for this article.

Dan Smigrod took the photo of the Mar-T Cafe exterior in North Bend, now known as Twede’s Cafe. Mount Si is seen in the distance. By summer 1990, previous cafe owner Pat Cokewell had hung a yellow and black banner on the building’s exterior advertising her restaurant was “home of Twin Peaks pies.”

Garnet Cross was the magician behind those wonderful “Twin Peaks pies.” She’s seen here with Cokewell at a season one finale party held at the Salish Lodge in May 1990. You can learn more about her secret ingredient to make those pies in this Twin Peaks Blog article.

LaBar also took the image of pie and coffee from inside the Mar-T Cafe.

I love finding these snapshots from the early days of Twin Peaks as it highlights the impact David Lynch and Mark Frost’s creation had on the small towns of North Bend and Snoqualmie. People today still visit Twede’s Cafe in search of pie or marvel at the sacred and magnificent Snoqualmie Falls while staying at Salish Lodge. Thank you again to 1400 River Road for saving this document.