By Christy Rasmussen-Ford

During an average work day, I talk with about 3 million tourists.

If we get beyond the usual, “Do you know Edward?”, they will inevitably ask my expert advice on what to do in the area.

“The popular thing to do is cruise back and forth between the grocery store and the gas station at the other end of town.”

They then explain that they are not 16.

Now I’m all out of ideas.

 Usually they then will ask about some touristy thing that all the touristy people go and do.

“Have you ever been to the Giant Cedar Tree?”

“Never.”

“What about the Logging Museum?”

“Hmm … maybe once on a field trip.”

“Beach 4?”

“Nope.”

I can tell by the look in their eyes that they are wondering if I even really live in Forks.

They try one last time, “How’s the logging tour?”

Hmmm …

“Great!” I say.

I have to help support other businesses in town. Obviously I have never been on the tour. I’m not a tourist.

Despite my expertise on the area, sometimes tourists just need the advice of other tourists. After all, they know how the touristy experience truly is.

Last week, I heard the following conversation between two people from out of town.

“If you haven’t checked out the rain forest yet, you really should!”

“We were thinking about that, but that girl over there (me) said it was just a bunch of trees and rain.”

Both rolls their eyes at me as if to say stupid local!

“Well if you decide to go, it’s on the right, just past Ruby Beach.”

Hmm …

“Hey, thanks for the directions!”

And with that, the receiver of the awesome directions went off in search of the rain forest in which he was told was right past Ruby Beach. He never found the rain forest because the directions were … crap.

I have no idea what road is to the right after Ruby Beach.

What I do know for sure is that the rain forest is on the right about 25 minutes past Ruby Beach … also known as NOT right past Ruby Beach.

Looking back, I really wish that I would have intervened and given the correct directions.

Who knows where the road right after Ruby Beach took those poor tourists?Perhaps they’re working with a logging firm now. Maybe they heard the Call of the Wild and are now living as wolves.

If they only would have taken my advice and cruised the highway between the grocery store and the gas station, they wouldn’t have gotten lost.

They only have themselves to blame now.

It can’t be said enough, if you are not from the area, please listen to the locals.

Even if they’ve never been to the Giant Cedar Tree, they have surely gone by the sign to it … which is just past Ruby Beach on the right … I think.