Yosemite's High Sierra

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

There is so much excitement over at Yosemite ! Jadin Emerald has opened a whole new section of Yosemite called High Sierra. It is spectacular with high vistas and outstanding views. I had a sneak preview while Jadin was constructing the bones of the cabins. As at Yosemite there are trails for horseback riding, or walking. There are horse corrals with horses begging to take you for a ride. All Yosemite members and visitors will have access to the trails, the swimming area, common areas and parties.

There are several wonderful styles for those who wish to stay there. I love the B&B which is like outdoor living. There are all the amenities anyone would want to stay. A fully equipped kitchen, a charming living area, bedroom , sauna and hot tub and more await the occupants. Up on the top level they will have massage tables to enjoy for relaxation. It is all furnished and would make a great honeymoon site or a getaway weekend.

I took a Muir vacation cabin for two weeks. The cabins have wonderful porches with the interior open
space and loft for decorating to your own taste. I kept my lakeside tent site over at Yosemite but wanted to experience the new High Sierra. Here I have an opportunity to set out some furniture that I don’t usually use. The new hud gives me the opportunity to explore every nook of the new region. It also allows me to get back to Yosemite quickly.

Jardin is offering a real special to let you get acquainted. The tents, the cabins, are up for two weeks rental for free. Become a member of Yosemite that allows you all the fun areas and try out living there.

This rental offer is only open to members until February 20. However you can still come visit anytime and use the TP hud to get around to see all the new region has to offer. Choose a horse and take a ride through the forest on the Wilderness Trail.

Here Jadin and RainiDaize, who helps manage Yosemite and High Sierra and I are discussing the opening at the Muir Cafe high in the mountains of High Sierra with the most spectacular views.

This will take you to the landing at the new region where you can pick up the Hud that gives you options for both regions. Enjoy!!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/High%20Sierra/27/14/23

Gemma Cleanslate

 

The Nature Collective

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

While exploring the installations at the SL19B looking at all the steampunk gears and clocks I came across an oasis of trees and bushes and quiet walks. It was the build of the Nature Collective. I walked the paths and wondered about the creators of this build. I went over to the headquarters of the Collective to learn more about it: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Muslin/175/26/128

At the HQ, which is very lovely with a nearby waterfall, I learned “The Nature Collective is a Second Life group created with the goal of cultivating a community around sims, spaces and projects which share a common focus on nature. It is our hope to foster a movement to help people engage and reconnect with the wonder and joy of nature, in the virtual world and beyond “. Since I love nature places in sl I joined the group to understand more.

I was directed to a notice about a zoo that is being highlighted and decided to visit. I arrived at the station and went to the entrance to buy my ticket (which is free) and read the rules posted on the wall. I was stunned when I entered the Ariadne Zoo by the size and the extensive work there. Animals are enclosed in their own habitat and separated by fences to protect the visitors and the animals both.
Ana (Anarya Vhargon) is the owner of the Zoo .

Each enclosure has a card about the animal to impart knowledge to the public. It is a short walk from one enclosure to another, but if I read each animal description and information I would be here for a week! The foliage and décor is fitted to each animal species so they are living comfortably as they would in their own habitat.

Not only is the zoo extensive, spread over two regions ,but it also holds a playground for visitors with games and rides to amuse adults and kids. I checked out several and found they are kid friendly too for Zooby Animesh babies but also for Toddledoo mesh child avies.

Camping is available at bungalows and caravans or tents all for free! There is a pool and a playground there too and a small store with lots of donuts and cupcakes. I found another store with more healthy food, veggies , pizza , and Sodas. Nearby there is a boat rezzer and a Swan boat rezzer to ride on the lovely lake or rezz a tube and just loll there enjoying the view. There is so much to do here it is a good thing there is camping. In my stay I only got to see a part of it all.

I stopped into the aquatic building and went downstairs to enjoy the seating and food served there and look out through the windows at the sharks and other fish passing by. I felt quite safe tho a shark looked me in the eye. This is only one nature place on the list offered at the Nature Collective and I intend to visit more when I am able. There is so much to explore here be prepared to stay a while. There is news coming from the Collective soon so stay tuned!

Get to the zoo on this train. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ariadne/129/8/23

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Yosemite in Summer 2022

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

Some years back I dropped into Yosemite and fell in love with it. I wrote several articles about the region as time passed. Jadyn Firehawk was the owner and maintained it, adding and changing as time went on. She so loved the real Yosemite National Park that she wanted it as close as possible to the real one. Due to health issues Jadyn had to close it which was very sad for everyone. She took time to recover and came back to find so many of her members had remained loyal in the group. Eventually she felt strong enough to open Little Yosemite and that was welcomed by many past members of the group who kept hoping for the return of Yosemite I had a camping site there last year which I wrote about. It was restful and fun.

Jadin Emerald, who is Jadyn Firehawk, came across a very lovely surround called Yosemite created by Som (Sominel Edelman)m who does beautiful landscapes and fell in love with it, finding it very close to the view of the real Yosemite and so we have a whole new region, Yosemite. She has been building and changing as usual but it is mostly ready for you all to visit. Again she has lots of fun activities for you to use, little relaxing places along the river for you to visit with your friend or your honey. Members of the group can hold weddings there at the Mariposa Pavilion In the forest.

Horseback riding is encouraged and there is a corral full of horses to chose from. Take the trails with your horse or go through the Muir Forest. You can just leave the horse where you are when you are finished, and they go home by themselves. If I find one I usually take it home to the corral. I think there may be more  different horses coming.

If you are not into horses grab a bicycle. I am not that good on these bikes and usually end up in some creek of the lake. I need to practice! Look at that field of blue and red wildflowers!! I did run over some.

You can go take a great swim in the lake if you like and actually swim off the region. It is fun or take a ride on the jetski and do the same trick or try a quiet kayak ride .

I love the little play park area where the kids can play on swings or teeter totter. I found a dad, Travis Helix (Tbone Helix), with his two kids, Stephanie Bravin (XDaOneX Resident) and Artfaol StJohn (Artfaol Resident). They all said they loved Yosemite and were having lots of fun in the park.

Take the trail around the perimeter and see various places to relax. Fire pits are popular. You will see tents along the shore that can be rented at an extraordinary low price and 50prims to use I keep one there that I can visit or invite a friend over for a cookout and some wine or sit down quietly to write an article.. There are small cabins along the trail too. In one spot there are tents for use for one or two nights, again, at a very low price. She even has a classroom for those who might want a presentation .
Once on the old Yosemite she hosted a group of girl scouts for their project which was a lot of fun I recall.

Up on one of the other levels are tree houses that are very popular. I went up to visit my friend, Heather Kenin (Heather Wainwright), who has one there and though she maintains a home on Bellisseria she says she loves the tree house so much she spends a lot of time there. There are choices of other rentals which you can find out about at the region. Here is the rental office where you can see all the varieties of rents available and pick up a hud for visiting the rentals and another for getting around the whole region easily. If you would like to see the old Yosemite region there are pictures of it at that rental center. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yosemite/136/60/841

Jadin is usually there to help with any questions or her friendly Park Ranger, Raini(Rainidaize) will help. She loves to talk to people. I am a volunteer there and if you im me I can help too. Jadin has made a that great hud for getting around but I advise walk the region and discover the wild life and loveliness for yourself. There are posters you can pick up and other gifts at the Visitor Center from Jadin. Grab a baseball hat. Climb the stairs too for more information.

Climb to the top and stay for dinner at her tables. Lots of history of Yosemite there and a wonderful view. She will be opening her store again soon where she has very lovely items for sale all made by her. Join the group if you would like to keep up on what is new and going on if you like. Visit and enjoy! Maybe you will move in or rent a camp site for relaxation.

Here is the visitor center. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yosemite/151/74/22

Jadin had her Nature store ready!

Gemma Cleanslate
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Finlandia

By Grey Lupindo

Finlandia invites Second Life residents to “hangout, relax and enjoy” and see what Finland is like.  Located at Finlandia, Finlandia (191, 48, 23), it is a beautiful place to visit. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first SL site that is based on Finland.  Finlandia’s creator, Daniela Finchy, has made a wonderful sim that showcases her lovely country.   One of her notes states, “So everything you see, feel and touch is all about Finland.  We are proud ... and happy to show it to you.”  

Finlandia is representative of the southern and southwestern areas as they appear in late summer and fall, a season which is known as “ruska.”   The terrain is comprised of rolling hills, forests, and beautiful rocky coastline. 

The rez zone is a small wooden structure that is functional but not representative of the rest of the site.   It is filled with information and necessary notes, as well as a few odd objects.   A large cut out of Marilyn Monroe is there, but I’m not sure what her connection is to Finland.        

Outside of the rez area, however, the land is peaceful and beautiful.  Wide paths cut through the woods and lead to various sites around the Finlandia.  Bridges straddle winding streams.   There is a bicycle stand, too, since they are very popular in Finland.   However, the paths are also great for horseback riding, which is one of my favorite things to do.   I saddled my horse and rode all over the site.

The area has lots of activities for residents to enjoy.   There are many spots where friends can gather, including a campfire site with a moonshine still brewing.   A large picnic and dance area is found at Finlandia (139,16,24). 

There are lots of free games to play, including Whack a Mole, Mah Jongg, Minesweeper, and others, located in a large cottage at Finlandia (45,71,25).  Try out the rope swings that are outside, too. 

The rocky coastline is ruggedly beautiful.   There are row boats available that you can use to explore it.  I rowed up to the sauna and stopped, although I think I could have continued further.  It is located at Finlandia (84,95,23).   The sauna is a wonderful steamy place that you don’t find very often in Second Life.  Approach this area with care since it is the only area where nudity is allowed in Finlandia.   There were other people visiting the sim during all of my visits, but no one was using the sauna.    

At the top of another hill there is a very cozy country cottage and a large barn, at Finlandia (164,72,33).  Inside the cottage you can try out a loom or sit in a rocking chair by the fireplace.   There are three rooms, all  furnished.  A cat named Tuikku sits on the front porch, and other farm animals roam about in the yard. 

There is a cottage for rent in Finlandia, but I don’t know if this cottage is it.   One of the nicest features in Finlandia is the lack of commercialism.   There are no glaring signs or items for sale to spoil the natural beauty.   Except for a few tip jars and teleporters to transport shoppers to the store area, the site is a peaceful park. 

The shop area is located above the rest of the sim in a sky box, and it is worth seeing.  Finlandia Stores, Finlandia (119, 61, 2022).   Although it isn’t as beautiful as the rest of Finlandia, the shops are set along wide paths in a landscaped area.  There are fourteen shops from Finnish creators, including Mad Pea, SiO, Ihan Sama, Jinxies, S.L.A.D, CakeFox, Linealrise Design, and others.  There is also a club where you can hear Finnish rock/metal music. 

 In addition to the shops, Uleria Caramel, a Finnish artist, has paintings on display there.  Caramel creates art that is abstract expressionism in style.  She uses oil painting, glass, ceramics, aquarelles, photography, and other techniques in her art.   Her works are very colorful and unique.

Newsweek magazine ranked real-life Finland as the overall "best country in the world" in 2010.  According to Wikipedia, many sources rank it as one of the best countries for quality of life.  In creating Finlandia  Daniela Finchy has done a great job creating a sim that shares her beautiful country with the rest of Second Life.