Longing Melody

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Autumn is my favorite season of the year not only in Second Life but in real-life. It is cooler, the sounds are different than any other season. Birds migrate at night so fill the sky with chirps as they navigate and are quiet resting during the day or looking for food to sustain their long journey. Those that are usually solitary join up in bands for protection. Many change their color also for safety. Hawks circle above looking for food and sit on wires or poles watching for prey. Insects become fewer as do mice and other varmints. The days rustle with sound as leaf by leaf fall down to the ground, or bustle with the wind blowing many down at a time. Storms seem wilder and more sudden.

Since I was writing about all those shops with Halloween and autumn decorations I decided to go traveling to some regions where autumn was taking place. I found one that I really enjoyed touring. Longing Melody was a quiet respite from the busy shopping places. It was fun to walk and explore various sites. It is part of the Nature Collective but one I had not visited before.

The arrival area gives one the choice of walking a path or taking a boat ride. I decided to walk first and boat later. Every step brought an autumn adventure. The trees were turning their beautiful shades of amber crimson, red and gold as were the grasses and shrubs. Bring an umbrella for sudden downpours. I spotted a seal close to the shore.

They have delicious apples of many varieties here from their orchard. Near by the apple stand there are animals looking hopeful to get a treat. A small playground is close too. Across the water one can see the mist rising from the other island. There is so many lovely paths to explore on the lands. Go visit and enjoy the nature of autumn in all its splendor.

There is one house there that seems to be haunted. I caught a glimpse of a ghost or two. It is not far from the entrance area. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Celestine/190/229/22

I heard that fall had come to the Nature collective land so I went over to see what had happened there. The leaves have turned to red and gold and are falling as you walk down Cornelia street. I stopped for a cup of coffee and a sweet before I left.

They are getting ready for the October hunt at members' places. There is a special Golden Pumpkin involved!  Stop over to get information and walk along the road to the Gateway.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Muslin/121/20/131

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Halloween Town And Moochies

By Gemma Cleanslate

Laura Liberty has opened her Halloween Town until the end of October. This is one of my creepy favorites. Her little town is full of quaint facades of shops and inside there are everything you can think of for decor from pumpkins to skeletons, food,  to fun outfits . It is all so enticing too.
Take a walk through all the rooms of the huge shops and look .

The skeleton area is terrific. The mask offerings are great for the variety that are offered for different personalities. The wonderful Pumpkin contest with a total of 3000L  prizes is there again. Click the display area for the rules. You can use your creative juices to fashion your pumpkins or start with some help. .

I found my friend Tina  who is an assistant to Laura and land manager dancing among the gachas. Why she was wearing her Santa cap? I don’t know but may have been practicing for for her role at the Christmas town.

And , at the bottom of the road is one of the best scary houses in Second Life. It is a good idea to bring along a friend to hang onto as you progress through the house. What you are going to experience is a stroll through popular horror movies etched in your memory . Get ready!!! I have gone through at least four times in the past and still find new experiences .

Have fun! You need time to do it all.. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/120/104/100

After leaving Halloween Town I stopped over at Moochies. Get the notecard and map at the entrance. This was a new place to me and I enjoyed walking among the trees finding little private relaxing areas for friends to sit and relax.......“Among the treacherous trees, the mouldering mist, the rattling ruins and the wretched wailing winds, there are creepy corners and secluded shadows waiting for those who dare to venture into the darkness.  Halloween has arrived...”

 If you use the windlight of the region  you will really feel the shadows.....and more. I suggest using both region and another windlight because the woods and paths are gorgeous with the autumn colors and to find the little corners in the woods to sit and relax with your friends.

If you love fingernails there is a hunt going on for nails. Pick up the notecard with the hints on it to find all the items you are looking for along the route shown on the map.

I stopped for a corndog at the riverside. It is well worth the visit .. follow the firelights.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moochie/169/201/23

Gemma Cleanslate

Calas Galadhon Sims

By Gemma Cleanslate

Since I have been too busy to ride my horse for a while I took a break from the Halloween searches to go for a ride in Mirromere in the Calas Galadhon sims. These are season changing sims that are always a pleasure to explore. The trees are  now in autumn glory. You can travel through 12 sims if you like on your horse . If you don’t have one you can rezz one here http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mirromere/170/114/32  . 

 

There are always other modes of transport in the sims of course. A balloon ride is always fun, or a boat ride if you like. If you are into biking you can rezz one in the village area in Calas Galadhon sim. There are so many stunning venues through out the sims it always amazes me every time I visit. The owners TYMUS TENK & TRUCK MEREDITH  keep all these sims for the pleasure of the visitors. There is nothing for sale , no place to rent. It is just for your enjoyment. 

 

Where ever you go you come across little relaxing places with dance balls or comfortable seating where you and a friend can relax and talk, or just sit and read a book if you like. I love the Misty Mountains where birds sing and crickets chirp. and swirls of fog rise out of the waters. Armenelos is another favorite  but watch for the bears there as you make your way through the woods! I also came across a statue of a racoon holding a sign saying “Breathe and Smile” which it made me do. When I leave here I am always more relaxed.  

 

There are events almost every night in one or the other of the clubs  . Join the group for notices . You will find donation boxes around the sims so please try to give a little or a lot to keep these sims where they are. The main entrance offers a tp map to any of the other sims so you can enter here  where you will find  more information and read the rules for these spectacular sims. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Calas%20Galadhon/142/230/22

 

Much as I love all the seasons here, I can hardly wait for winter and the Christmas sim!! 

 

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