Areo Pines and Icewater Village

By Gemma Cleanslate

My next favorite area to visit for the season of winter is Aero Pines.  I have been coming to these sims for longer than I remember at one season or another. Winter is wonderful. The skating pond is lovely and nearby there is a shop and at the entrance you will find lovely skating outfits for both male and female for free. I think  that outfit was my first winter skating outfit from at least five years ago and I still like it! In fact I think this is the first place where I learned to skate in Second Life. The Nutcracker is there too! Jump on a dance ball and join the performance! 

 

This year there is a darling Santa ‘s workshop to visit. Sit on his lap and ask for your heart’s desire. There will be activities going on until the end of January. There is so much to see in these sims, Besides the skating pond, don’t miss the carnival area that has fun rides, or take a balloon ride over the region. Horse back riding is always great fun on the snowy surfaces up and down the hills and valleys or you can rezz a horse and sleigh to ride the snow covered roads. Enjoy!   

 

Editor's Note: The carnival area's pretty fun, with it's roller coasters and bungie jumping. Just remember on the latter to pin down any hat you might be wearing.  Booooooiiiiiinnnnngggggg .......

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/44/206/22

 

 

Another treat is Icewater Village. I love the quaint little town with its shops with fun items. Fishing is going on all the time here with weekly 7seas fishing contests so you always find fishers hanging out. Friendly dogs come sniffing and asking for petting. Right now there is a delightful sleigh ride that takes you high in the air so you can view the whole region. Skating here is fun on a large pond. It is decorated for the Christmas season at this time so don’t miss it! 

 

Icewater is always outfitted for winter with builders working on it all the time and there are added attractions now. While I was there I sat down for hot chocolate with Spinnetje Jewell  , one of the builders. The other builder,  Tolsen Decycla was busy building, or sleeping.
You can catch the sleigh here at the rezzer .. click the snowman!   

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Icewater/89/184/22

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Aero Pines Harvest Festival and Halloween Trail

From Gemma Cleanslate

Found another great Halloween place to visit ! It is also in one of my favorite set of sims and will be another place to wander following the Halloween Trails. It is in the Aero Pines Park and is great fun. The annual Harvest Festival and Halloween Trails is going on with loads of games to enjoy and right next to it a wonderful Haunted House. 

”Welcome To Morgan Mansion ! When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers,‘tis near Halloween. Gemma Cleanslate” was the greeting to me offered by Julianna, one of the Morgan chilren as I neared the mansion.  Not only can you wander through the house but you are invited to log in as a character in the family and become a part of the home. Outside the home are some fun rides and games to enjoy. Hop on the Carousel or the Sky Swatter or get dizzy on the Spider Ride. Whack a Mole , Zombie Meltdown and Ghost Busters are just a few of the games at the fair. I stopped in the Greifer Processing Center and disobeyed the rules not to touch anyone which is definitely scary. 

The trail begins nearby and will take you to various sites . The first I visited was the Witches Camp and made some potions while there .At the Spider Grove I nearly became spider food as the webs entangled me . I passed a man-eating plant by the side of the road  rapidly after that experience. The ghosts in the Haunted Prison were not friendly either. The crowd at the Guillotine was after blood .Down the road it in a field it was fun to watch a shortened version of The Birds,  the Alfred Hitchcock film, while surrounded by screaming gulls and crows. My last stop was at the pumpkin patch where I wandered through the  Corn Maze bumping into the walls for a while. As usual the entire park is full of lovely foliage of  the season which makes the visit there more of a delight. I often go there to take a horse ride when I have time. Seasons change in this Park.

Take a bike or ride a horse along the roads littered with falling leaves seeking out the Halloween sites but enjoying the always lovely terrain. There are more games to play and sites to visit than I have mentioned so plan on visiting for a while. There is a cute jack-o-lantern ride you can rezz for your tour. Watch for it.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/15/207/23 Pick up the map and Landmarks here and in the folder you will find the special Halloween Trails notecard with landmarks for some scary places . All will remain until early November according to Cindy Bolero , the owner of the regions. 

Gemma Cleanslate

Winter Update

 

By Gemma Cleanslate  

 

 I wanted to update you on the still existing winter fun places. I bought some lovely winter skating and skiing and walking outfits so want to use them before packing away in a box . I took a quick tour and some of those I wrote about have already started to melt, like Calas sims which will be closed for February. but still has skating and skiing until the end of the month. Horseback riding there is always great fun. I went over to Palma to check and took the tram tour and tho winter decor is there. Valentines Day is the theme at the moment. and it is absolutely beautiful. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Palma/218/223/32. I get the idea this is a place where friends love to just hang out and chat. 

 

 Aero Pines is still covered with snow and  ice and the festival ends January 31 so take a look. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/52/197/22  . But, I see the Football stadium (American Football Superbowl   Feb 2. )  is in place for the big game Sunday and there will be a big party going on.There are some cute outfits and players uniforms available for purchase nearby. Cindy Bolero also sent out a message to say that the lovely Mer village has moved to a new location . Pick up a brochure at the Park to see all the fun activities open to you there. 

 

There was one spectacular region from years past  that I did not find. It was one of the first winter activity place I ever visited in sl at least 6 years ago and I was so sorry to find it missing. The sims on Wolf Mountain Resort had so much to offer all year round. I talked to the former owner, Ṧṇö Winterẘölḟ (peach.fizz). She told me sorrowfully it is gone for now but hopes someday to resurrect it . I hope so too and wish her well. Have a terrific sl  winter before it is gone. I think winter started  a bit early in some venues and ended at the New Year. Well,  I can visit the Aussie winter places in the summer but then I will have to unpack my boxes... too much trouble!

 

Gemma Cleanslate

More Skating and Winter Fun: Areo Pines Park and Holiday Village

 By Gemma Cleanslate

On to another favorite venue for more winter fun than you have time for. Aero Pines has the winter festival taking place all month.  These sims are always seasonally decorated and hosting superb events for that season. I recommend you begin your visit at the Holiday store where you find some superb outfits for skating both male and female, and lots of free ones too. Right outside is the massive skating pond, always in use. The media viewer is showing the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker on a huge screen overlooking the skating pond. You have your choice of skate balls for solo and couples. Or you can join the ballet dancing in front of the screen.

Nearby there is a sleigh rezzer that will take you on a tour of the sims. Keep an eye out for some loose reindeer that seem to have once been attached to a sleigh but are now roaming the roads. If you have a horse take a ride. If not you can rezz one at the stables. Try the winter balloon ride or then many other special activities listed on the notecard in the posters. Save lots of time! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/40/194/22

Next favorite ... seems I have lots of favorites! But there are some wonderful winter sims. This is another place I visit all year long. Christmas at Winter Holiday Village. I was lucky that this year I made it to a skating party on the ice where Mr. and Mrs. Claus were not only present but dancing to the music of the live DJ. This skating place is such a pleasure to use. It winds around, around penguin laden islands, under bridges, past polar bears,  through a cave tunnel  and back to the beginning. 

There is a carriage ride here also. You will be driven in a golden carriage through the woods and around trails . The festive shops are fun to roam through with wonderful bargains for your holiday decor and clothing too. Many visitors are always around enjoying everything that Maired Fitzgerald plans. There are a myriad of events every day until the end of December with singers and special  events. I was able to attend the Annual Yule Ball also with the fantastic Ceci Dover performing Christmas tunes with a backup of dancers . Be sure not to miss this fabulous sim.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holiday%20Village/100/138/21

Gemma Cleanslate

Winter Fun at Areo Pines and Wolf Mountain

 By Gemma Cleanslate

The Sixth Annual Winter Festival, which runs from December 1 through January 31, at Aero Pines is now open.  I am happy to tell you that the skating rink is busy and the winter decorations are all in place. This is a great region to visit and you can pick up some really nice free skating outfits or shop for some before you venture out on the ice. I kept mine from last year, but picked up a chinchilla coat to add to my collection.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Equus/42/188/23  It is right next to the skating pond. 

 

Cindy Bolero has so many events prepared for the two months that you can find on the festival brochure you will get. While you skate, you can watch the Nutcracker Ballet on the super screen and join in on the pose balls. One of the free outfits is a white ballet dress with tutu.  It is delightful. Here you may also take a cross country ski tour on eight sims, take a ride in the sleigh, and more. All directions to help you are on the brochure. It is always such fun to visit these sims any time of year, but winter is special. Anyone is always welcome here. The whistling snowman will greet you.

 

 I guess I have a lot of favorite places to ski and skate. My next favorite I have been visiting for 5 years, not only in the winter. Wolf Mountain Ski Resort has everything you want or need for winter activities. Here you can pick up a guide to activities and landmarks to help you get around. The lodge is so inviting that you will want to spend some time in there where you can sit by the fire, or take a dip in the indoor pool. I love the trip up the mountain on the ski lift and then coming down on skis or sled. 

 

You will find free skies at the top, or rezz a sled for you and your friends.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/WolfMountainResort/54/44/33 . There are so many wonderful spots at both these recreation regions you can spend all winter visiting and finding new activities to try. I never tire of visiting either place. Enjoy. Look for more soon. 

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Thanksgiving at Areo Pines Park

By Bixyl Shuftan

Areo Pines Park and Recreation Area has been holding special events every month this fall. September had a somber event, a Stairclimb tribute to the New York firefighters of Sept. 11th. For October, it was Halloween, with a number of spooky happenings across the several sims. And this November, it's Thanksgiving's turn, with the Areo Pines Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow.

"All Nations and Tribes Welcome!" proclaimed a notecard passed around before the event, "Suggested Attire: Colonial, Pilgrim, Native American, North American Wildlife Avatar, etc. Turkeys and other fowl attend at their own risk! Warning:   This party has been too much fun in the past, so please celebrate and party responsibly!"

The Pow Wow began with a big party on Friday November 16th. Arriving on the scene, most everyone was dressed up either in Indian or Pilgrim outfits, and dancing around a large bonfire. People were having a good time, cracking "paleface" jokes, with the DJ in a chief's headdress. All around, a number of teepees and Indian lodges had been set up. There were also vendors nearby where one could get an Indian or Pilgrim outfit. And of course a table set up with a huge Thanksgiving feast for anyone seated.

Besides the dancing around, there were birchbark canoes at the riverbank. One could board one and take it around the rivers of the park. The part itself has been given an autumn look, with trees leaves having yellowed and reddened, patches of grass and stretches of trails covered with the leaves, and of course the sign of the leaves fluttering down to the ground. The natural scenery was quite beautiful.

For covering the trails, one could do it on foot, or on horseback. Not too far away was a horse rezzer. By mounting it, one received a HUD and a horse. To ride, one detaches one's AO, then wears (or adds) the HUD and steed. After pressing the synchronize button, you're ready to trot. But if you already have your own mount, such as an Amaretto, that's fine too.

The Pow Wow itself is scheduled to go on until the 25th, with Areo Pine's Annual Turkey Shoot sometime during the event. Cindy Bolero, the park's director, told me that it would be a good idea for people to come by and enjoy the autumn colors while they can. After the Pow Wow, a cold front's scheduled to arrive, and bringing snow just in time for the Christmas season.


Equus (18, 241, 22)

Bixyl Shuftan

9/11 Stairclimb Tribute at Areo Pines

I’m not exactly Captain America when it comes to patriotism or love for my country, however I think it’s fair to say that the events of 9/11 in New York and Washington DC was and is a day to be respected.

In real life I remember hearing people exclaim on the TV and radio that the World Trade Center was demolished by the terrorist attack. I was in shock that day thinking of the senseless loss of life. Politics aside you had to respect what just happened.

Bixyl asked me to check out a live exhibit at the Aero Pines recreation park sim and recreation area in Second Life. When I warped to the sim, I saw an excellent replica of the World Trade Center in memory of said events. To honor the firefighters who risked their lives their day, there was free firefighting clothes to wear to dress up like a real life firefighter. It came with a fire hose you could click to spray water. The exhibit asked that when you walk to the top to wear the fire fighter clothes.

Part of the exhibit was to simply have your avatar walk up the stairs to the very top. Just like the real life world trade center it was a tall building to walk up. No five stories to walk up and you’re done it was easily 100 or more. I’m not in top physical shape in real life. I could imagine that was not an easy feat walking up those stairs if that was the real version of Grease. It never crossed my mind to cheat by flying up the stairs. Walking up took a good ten minutes or so.

Before I started my hike up towards the top I saw a video screen like a wide screen TV it played a video of a cameraman following firefighters around on that horrific day. What started as a routine call turned into pure chaos as he followed them around watching the building burn on fire after the plane crash. He also recorded firefighters working hard risking their lives. The video portrayed the second building collapsing and the debris falling all around the area. He went back to the fire house seeing firemen cry as they realized not all their friends made it back. The cameraman, a man with a foreign accent, was devastated after he realized his brother was gone. Further in the video was cleanup where the fire department and more was clearing the debris and more to look for anyone who was still alive. Morale was low as they discovered bodies of dead firefighters and people unlucky enough to be in the way of the collapsed building.

When I got to the top there was a guestbook to share your thoughts. I made a notecard talking about being concerned for my real life sister who lives in the NYC area. Luckily she’s still alive. In addition to that, a little past 9/11 I worked for Sprint as a telemarketer in the Washington DC area. I forget what day it was, but I remember there was a bomb threat in that building. Everyone was sent home. I was fearful of what could happen. That building still stands today, however a bomb threat is still something to take seriously.

Watching the video I was distracted by a sound spammer whom I was angry about as I was booted a few times from my dolphin viewer by lag. I was sure to report her and I talked to a woman who said she was pushed down the stairs by people rushing by. Imagine if that was a real life scene. No one should be pushed downstairs in second or real life.

Lexi Abonwood, "... and I got pushed down stairs by people."

Grease Coakes, "Really? That was rude kind of goes against the spirit of 9/11, being pushy against your fellow man or woman."

Lexi Abonwood, "I agree with you, we are supposed to be remembering the people who helped
everyone."

Me and a total stranger got the general idea. It’s still a day to move on with our lives and do day to day things. However you cannot ignore or forget what happened that day and the lives that were lost. Not everyone is as brave as a firefighter or a superhero from the comics so we can certainly admire their bravery and sacrifice for that day.

For more on stairclimb tributes, Areo Pines' owner Cindy Bolero mentioned this website: http://www.9-11stairclimb.com.

Grease Coakes

The Derby at Areo Pines

This is the first time I have been able to get to a Kentucky Derby party in Second Life. I was invited to the 138th Kentucky Derby running at the Aero Pines Park in Equus. I donned my hat and got going! 

Equus, one of the numerous sims of the Aero Pines Park and Recreation center is very horsy, with a stable and a race track. You can rezz a horse to ride the many delightful trails across the many sims. There was an enormous TV set up in the  middle of the race track for the race and a wonderful viewing center with a full bar. The mint juleps were delicious and refreshing as we waited for the race to start. 

There were about 34 people in attendance. The enthusiasm was tremendous. Every one had their favorite horse. Some had money on a horse in real life, so had more invested. A couple were from Louisville so knew the intense interest in the race and everything surrounding it. Most were wearing the “obligatory“ fancy hat that women wear all over the place at Louisville during the race time. 

As we watched the TV feed practically in sync with the real-life feed, Areo Pines owner Cindy Bolero made an announcement, “Other news! The Aero Pines Park Equestrian Center will also be known as Virtual Horse World starting this summer. We're doing a makeover of the facilities to better educate new users of SL with the many types of horses created in SL. As you know it is quite overwhelming for newbies. We're also taking the firefighter training here to another level, but we feel the blend with the equestrian center, airport, and biker roadhouses will still blend well.” 

All in all it was an excellent event and Cindy Bolero is to be congratulated on the build made just for the race.There will be replays on Sunday with parties.  Aero Pines is a wonderful place to visit. There are always so many things going on  according to the season. Take a trip there and pick up the landmarks card.  

Gemma Cleanslate