Vampire-spotting at Olympic National Park

Park rangers say 30 percent of visitors are wide-eyed Twilight fans.

Taking literature a little too literally? The New York Times reported yesterday that national park visitation is up—way up—this summer (some parks have seen a 30 percent jump in campground bookings). But don't assume that frugal families looking for cheap vacations in these tough times are the only ones responsible. Nope—in Washington's Olympic National Park, rangers estimate that 30 percent of hikers are there to immerse themselves in the Twilight landscape (and, presumably, to catch a glimpse of a vampire of their very own).

Yes, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, the melodramatic, four-volume love story between regular 'ole teenager Bella and a supersexy vampire Edward, is making hikers out of teen romance fans. The plot is set in nearby Forks, but there's plenty of deep-forest action, too. Which explains why

"These 'Twihards' wander, wide-eyed, down trails in the misty Hoh rain forest under giant trees festooned with moss, 'trying to see what Bella saw,' said a park ranger, Jon Preston."

Hoo boy. I'm of two minds about this development. I loooove Olympic NP—and the more people who get out and enjoy it, the more people likely to care about protecting it. That's good. But the thought of losing my favorite campsite to covens of black-clad, pasty campers on the lookout for wildlife of the velvet-voiced, alabaster-skinned variety? That sorta kills me. Just think: Three out of every 10 people you pass on the trail could very well be packing a 768-page copy of Breaking Dawn. (Hey, I read all 768. I've earned the right to mock.)

All in all, though, I can't complain too much. More people enjoying the wilderness is always a great thing. And who knows? Maybe one of the Twihards will fall in love with the mountains, trade her black eyeliner for some Gore-Tex, and try another trail. At the very least, it's giving rangers some great ideas for new campfire programs.

"[Ranger Jon Preston] said that he was contemplating putting together a nature program on bloodsuckers (mosquitoes, flies and lampreys)."

—Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

The Last-Minute Guide to Summer Camping (The New York Times)

Image credit: Summit Entertainment

PRINT THIS PAGE EMAIL THIS PAGE RSS FEED

Digg Delicious Yahoo Facebook Reddit StumbleUpon Google Newsvine Facebook Twitter

READERS COMMENTS

http://www.jersey2shopsale.com

May 17, 2013

new nfl jersey cheap, 2013 new nfl jersey sale, nfl jersey 2013, cheap baseball jerseys
http://www.jersey2shopsale.com/
sf giants jersey cheap, baseball jersey for sale, wholesale nba jerseys, wholesale nhl jerseys,
http://www.jersey2shopsale.com/Nike-NFL-Jerseys-c124/
wholesale nike nfl jerseys, new nfl jersey wholesale
http://www.jersey2shopsale.com/MLB-Jerseys-c94/
cheap mlb jerseys, cheap nhl jersey
http://www.jersey2shopsale.com/NBA-Jerseys-c77/
cheap nba jerseys, wholesale mlb jersey, cheap nhl jerseys

http://www.jerseycaptain.com

May 12, 2013

cheap nfl jersey wholesale, new nfl jersey wholesale, nike nfl jersey wholesale
http://www.jerseycaptain.com/
2013 new nfl jersey sale, new nfl jersey cheap, nfl jersey 2013, http://www.jerseycaptain.com/Nike-NFL-Jerseys-c125/
wholesale nike nfl jerseys, cheap nfl jersey sale, nfl Jersey wholesale, nfl jersey 2013 sale http://www.jerseycaptain.com/MLB-Jerseys-c94/
cheap baseball Jerseys, sf giants jersey cheap, baseball jersey for sale , wholesale mlb jerseys, mlb jerseys cheap
http://www.jerseycaptain.com/NBA-Jerseys-c77/
basketball jerseys cheap, nba jerseys for sale, wholesale nba jerseys, nba jersey cheap
http://www.jerseycaptain.com/NHL-Jerseys-c96/
wholesale nhl jersey, discount nhl jersey , cheap nhl jerseys, Australia basketball jerseys. Australia soccer jerseys

www.jersey2shop.com

Apr 30, 2013

Cheap china nfl jerseys wholesale
http://www.jersey2shop.com/
Australia basketball jerseys. Australia soccer jerseys, cheap mlb jerseys, college basketball jerseys, wholesale nba jerseys,wholesale nhl jerseys,discount nhl jerseys
http://www.jersey2shop.com/Nike-NFL-Jerseys-c124/
nike nfl Jerseys cheap ,super bowl nfl jerseys sale
http://www.jersey2shop.com/MLB-Jerseys-c94/
baseball jerseys for sale mlb jerseys cheap cheap nhl jersey
http://www.jersey2shop.com/NBA-Jerseys-c77/
wholesale mlb jerseys cheap nhl jerseys wholesale nhl jerseys, basketball jerseys cheap, nba jerseys for sale. college ncaa jerseys
http://www.jersey2shop.com/Soccer-Jerseys-c118/
Australia basketball jerseys sale. Australia soccer jerseys cheap.

opio

Mar 23, 2013

http://www.usfactoies.com/ coach factory outlet online
http://www.bagscoupon2013.com/ shop.coachfactory.com
http://www.uswcoay.com/ coach outlet online
http://www.bagsoutletfans.com/ coach factory online
http://www.buynewbags2013.com/ coachfactory.com/shop
http://www.usaxcoachfactoryoutlet.net/ coach factory outlet
http://www.coachxpursesoutletonline.net/ coach purses outlet online
http://www.coachisoutlet.com/ coach outlet
http://www.coach-storeonline2013.com/ coach store online
http://www.coachoutletonlinusa.com/ coach outlet coach outlet online usa
http://www.monsterobeats.com/ monster beats outlet beats by dre custom
http://www.guccishoesoutletfactory.com/ gucci shoes outlet
http://www.newmichaelkorspurses.com/ michael kors purses michael kors outlet online
http://www.mk-mmichaelkorsoutlet.com/ michael kors outlet
http://www.northfacejacketsoutletonline.net/ north face jacket outlet north face outlet

www.3cjerseys.com

Jan 23, 2013

cheap convenient and creditworthy is our online store's (www.3cjerseys.com) service tenet . you can buy all kinds of cheap nfl jerseys here , just as nfl jerseys , basketball jerseys , NHL jerseys , Football jerseys ,the new era hats , we also provide jerseys customized service . All the products in our website are from china with wholesale price , so you can buy cheap products wiht high quality ! you can choose paypal , western union and other payment . more information please visit http://www.3cjerseys.com .

yourjerseyhome

Oct 28, 2012

Welcome to our jerseys shop http://www.yourjerseyhome.com we would off you the best jerseys and best servise. We are professional jerseys manufacturer from china,wholesal.cheap nike nfl jerseys, mlb jerseys, nhl jerseys,nba jerseys and shoes. we offer the latest 2012 nike jersey, with the best quality and the cheapest price,
http://www.yourjerseyhome.com/Nike-NFL-Jerseys-c124.html Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, the perfect jersey to let you enjoy the sport, to make you crazy for sports.
http://www.yourjerseyhome.com/MLB-Jerseys-c94.html cool base mlb jerseys and throwback mlb jerseys.
http://www.yourjerseyhome.com/NBA-Jerseys-c77.html Revolution 30 swing nba jerseys
http://www.yourjerseyhome.com/NFL-T-Shirt-c126.html wholesale NFL T-Shirt,
All Our Jerseys Are Sewn On and Directly From Chinese Jerseys Factory, hope to do longtime business with you.

alexis flowers

Oct 15, 2010

you guys look so cute together are you guys going out?

Anonymous

Oct 15, 2010

you guys are such a cute cupple if you guys are really going out

travelmel

Jun 30, 2009

You're dumb not to capitolize on the Twilight phenom. It won't last forever! Make it fun and they will come!

camila

Jun 30, 2009

amo vcs vcs sao demais

Angelique

Jun 25, 2009

I just got back from Forks. We went to the Hoh rain forest. It was very beautiful. My Boy Scout son enjoyed the hiking but we stayed in a motel in Forks. I think they should make Edwards meadow in the park. I know the fans would come in droves if they did. Somebody should tell Ranger Jon.