Yosemite in Winter

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for wintry places took her to a favorite location:Yosemite. Snow has come to the natural park, and there are winter activities one can enjoy such as skiing and skating. But you can also enjoy the usual ones, such as horseback riding, this time with a wintry atmosphere. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Places.  

 

Yosemite in Spring

 

Gemma Cleanslate was recently at a favorite region: Yosemite. Owned by Jadin Emerald, the place offers much natural scenery. With winter turned to spring, there's much greenery to be seen. But for those who enjoy winter activities, there's a new skiing area.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

 

Adagio Winterland

 

Christmas may be over. But winter continues. And Gemma Cleanslate took a look at one snowy location: Adagio Winterland. While the sim has multiple locations, Gemma was focused on just the Winterland. Open year round, it gets visitors who come for the skating, the karaoke, the balloon ride, a snowball fight, the horseback riding, or just to see the snowflakes fall.

 

Read Gemma's story in Places.

 

Yosemite in Summer 2022

 

With Gemma back into action, she thought about revisiting an old favorite area" Yosemite. Sadly some time after she first wrote about it, the owner reluctantly closed it due to being unable to maintain it due to health problems. But as she recovered, she was able to bring back a smaller version, Little Yosemite, with plans to bring it back in full once health and finances would allow her to do so. Today, the park is back. While some parts are still being worked on, it's open to visitors and there is much to see. So Gemma took a look around. So what did she think?

Read Gemma's story in Places.
 

Second Life Destinations: "Horse Riding and Enthusiast Communities"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

Even though motor vehicles have long been the dominant form of transportation for about a century, there's something about riding horses. In this week's Second Life Destinations, Linden Lab puts the spotlight on places and groups related to horses, or "Horse Riding and Enthusiast Communities."

This week, we shine a spotlight on the many virtual horse communities in Second Life. ... there is renewed interest in equestrian experiences across the Grid. Horse lovers need places to saddle up and ride...and there’s no shortage of destinations that cater to horse enthusiasts ...  Check out the Pets & Animals category in the Destination Guide for even more options.

The number of horse groups, breedable horse companies, and horseback riding locations are too numerous to mention. Last month, we interviewed Kitacelia about the challenges of raising breedable horses. If one wants to get a horse from her, she has a few at Dark Moon Rising at Helmsgarde (14/20/22).

Press Release: Oktoberfest in the CDS

It's almost time for the annual celebration of Oktoberfest sponsored by The Confederation of Democratic simulators.

Here's what's planned for Oktoberfest 2018.

Friday, October 12, 11am-12pm SLT:
The Oktoberfest Pub Crawl, featuring The Art Cafe, Gasthaus, an Irish Pub, ending at The German Biergarten.
DJ will be Han Held, the intrepid Chancellor of C.D.S. We start at The Art Cafe. Come and join us!
The Art Cafe - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Locus%20Amoenus/123/195/25

Saturday, October 13, 12-1pm SLT: J
Jaynine Scarborough performs at Rhenus Docks.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/16/102/22

Saturday, October 13, 1-2pm SLT:
Friedsee by Horseback with Delia Lake. Horse rezzer will be available or bring your own!
Horse Rezzer - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/5/194/172

Sunday, October 14, 10am-12pm SLT:
Party on the Platz! We close Oktoberfest with DJ Gabrielle Riel. Come in your best Oktoberfest costume and compete for L$$ prizes!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/138/157/173

See you there!

Templeton Cove

Gemma Cleanslate's travels took her to a sixteen-sim estate named Templeton Cove. A mostly wilderness and water area, some places are only for those who rent there, but there are plenty of fun areas open to all. Among the things one can do are horseback riding, hiking, and biking trails, ballooning, kayaking, bumper cars, and more. And of course there's the scenery.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

Antiquity

Looking for a good place to explore in Second Life can sometimes be difficult. So how often do you come across a place that isn't just great, but grand? Becky Shamen visited one such location that can only be called that: Antiquity. Consisting of thirteen sims, each with buildings or natural scenery, the owner Jacon Bexar didn't have just one well-built location, but a number. From the Royal Antiquity Theater, to the cathedral, to the horseback riding trails, it is a place one can expect to make repeat trips to in order to explore what it has to offer, and with it's events perhaps keep coming back to.

Read Becky's article in Places.

The Grand Canyon

Britty Bee is back with a new story about her travels across Second Life. Here, she writes about her trip to the Grand Canyon. One could just relax and admire the view. But there's much more to do here such as camping, ballooning, horseback riding, and a few things not available yet at the real life canyon. A great place for an adventure. Just be a little careful where you yodel.

Read Britty's article in Places.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Aero Pines Park. Looks like this lady found someone friendly enough to offer a ride, though he might be a little too friendly.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Virtual Horseback Riding

So whatever happened to Wesley Regenbogen's new pony? Well, it didn't take long for the critter to grow up. And what does one do with a grown horse? Well, ride it. So Hope Dreamscape showed up to help him with his first horseback ride. So how did it go?

Read Wesley's account in Extra.

Press Release: Aero Pines' 8th Annual Winter Festival

December thru January - Join us this holiday season for snowy fun and frolic at the 8th Annual Winter Festival at Aero Pines Park - Your favorites await you, such as our legacy countryside skating pond and holiday shows, horse sleighs, sleds, and snowmobiles. Plus there are several new attractions like the very awesome Blizzard Roller Coaster and the Bonzai Bungee Jump hosted by Bravo Carnival Company. Also visit our Holiday Shop for formal wear and decor. Don't miss this popular annual Aero Pines Park mega event. It could be our last Winter Festival in SL as we redevelop the park in a VR platform built on Unity3D. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aero%20Pines%20Park/10/11/23

A Wintery Favorite: Calas Galadhon Park

Gemma Cleanslate has reported on a number of Winter and Christmas-themed places in Second Life this week. And as the weekend approaches, she's saved the best for last. The eleven sim Calas Galadhon Park area now has a snowy look for the holidays, and many activities and places for good frosty fun. One can skate and ski across multiple sims. One can go riding on horseback. One can warm themselves at one of the cabin fireplaces. And one can head to the Pavillion for some Christmas goodies.

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Finlandia

Ask Americans what they know about Finland, and most will be hard pressed to come up with much. Although part of Scandinavia, it's not as well known as it's neighbors. Grey Lupindo found out about a sim of the country: Finlandia. Exploring the sim, she found a place of beautiful countryside, with nature trails, shorelines, and more.

Read Grey's article in Places.

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan

(with thanks to Jasmine Dawn and "Maxine")

"Horsing Around" at the Office

From July 2010, during a staff meeting at SL Newser's office, Gemma Cleanslate teleported in still on horseback. Needless to say, there were a number of horse jokes from me, Shellie Sands, and Grey Lupindo for the next few minutes.

Bixyl Shuftan

Sunday Cartoon

By Bixyl Shuftan

Raisin Ranch

After writing about pet horses in Second Life, Grey Lupindo came across a place truly made for riding a mount. The Raisin Ranch offers long winding trails to ride with great views. Plus once your ride is over, there are other ranch-themed ways to have fun.

Read about the area in Places.

Summer Treats - Aero Pines Park

Gemma Cleanslate recently found a place in Second Life to have some summer fun, Aero Pines Park and Recreation Center. The place, owned by Cindy Bolero, has a wide variety of activities from underwater merfolk places, to ballooning in the air, to bike riding, horseback riding, and more.

Check out the article in Places.