Forks, Washington

Forks Hwy 101

We drove through Forks last week. You’ve heard of Forks, right? If not, you’re forgiven. It’s the epicenter of the “Twilight” books and movie series and was a tourist hot spot for a while. There were tours of key places from the books, a souvenir shop. We had breakfast there once and an Edward Cullen look alike hung out at a nearby table, waiting to be recognized. It’s still a destination for fans of romantic vampires.

Forks arts ctr

Lest you decide there’s not much there there, here’s a view of the new Rainforest Arts Center.

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The world has seemed particularly full of grief and pain lately. Over the next few days I’d like to share some thoughts that have seemed relevant and hopeful.

When I despair,
I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail.
Think of it — always.

Mahatma Ghandi

In season

Thimbleberries

Nearly everything is ripening early this year. Wild thimbleberries are no exception and this year they are abundant.

I love thimbleberries. They are very delicate berries with a flavor somewhat like raspberries. There’s a short window when they are ripe and tasty. The berries are a beautiful, velvety shade of red when ready. Their delicate structure doesn’t lend them to harvesting for typical berry goodies. Just pick. Eat. Repeat.

This is a favorite spot for finding them. And I’m not telling where.

Lavender time

Lavender and bee

Today begins Sequim’s annual three day Lavender Festival celebrating all things lavender. Most of our region offers good growing conditions for lavender and local crops range in size from a small backyard bush or two to large farms with hundreds of plants in dozens of varieties.

Lavender and bee 2

Most lavender growing operations are open to visitors during the festival and some offer entertainment, food, lavender education, and craft vendors. A downtown street fair fills in any gaps if you want to shop, eat, be entertained, and sniff lavender and lavender products all in one location.

Side note: If anyone’s counting, this marks my 1,750th post on Sequim Daily Photo. Time flies!

Olympic Medical Center

Olympic Medical Center

The Olympic Medical Center in Sequim offers several medical specialties, a lab, diagnostic imaging, and a walk in clinic for locals who look for medical care on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s not always quick or easy to find local specialists here — or even generalists for that matter.

Olympic Cancer Center

But we do have a small cancer center.