Shadowfell

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

 

    Star of Earendil whispers “Welcome as we travel back to Calas Galadhon's SHADOWFELL
... beyond the dark forest, quarry and the beauty of its gardens and into the swamps …”
These two regions called Mist hold the most spectacular display in SL in my opinion. Every year Ty Tenk  and Truck Meridith of Calas Galadhon work to make this experience something to behold by adding to it. One cannot just pop in and go through all the venues in one day. Repeated visits are a must so plan your time.

When I arrive and check out the entrance area the first thing I do is get my flashlight and read the posts to make sure I am ready for the visit. The nearby boat ride is my first choice just to relax and look at the view of landscape from the river. Iridescent colors and flickering lights that hover add to the relaxation and music enhances the ride. The boat carries two so bring along a companion.

Watch the shore for many creatures that hang around the bank or hover above trying to surprise or shock you .

Who did I see but Micky Mouse ! That was a shock. 

The bioluminescence of the swamp foliage is so strikingly gorgeous. One must be sure to use the environmental shared lighting though I did adjust the lighting a bit to get some photos. The boat does drift up into the air iat times to pass over the plants and trees.

After the boat ride I began a trek along the paths leading to the many venues all so varied but all so hauntingly lovely. The music all along the way is so fitting to the total experience. The signage helps direct one . Also look for Journey cloths that are teleports to hidden places . I have to find more when I return to really explore sites. Ty said more will be added as the month progresses.

The Forbidden Forest and the Gardens exploration take time to admire all the plants, trees and flowers in brilliant color. Places to sit and gaze out over the forest give time to really see what is below. The Quarry contains some frightening creatures. Orcs, dragons, demons and other wonders. Thankfully they don’t follow along the walk, just stand threatening passersby.

The Pavilion as usual is set for many events during the month. Check out the schedule.

I have many more visits to make to finally see all that is there . In some areas as you walk there are torches lying on the ground that will direct you to the proper places not to be missed. And in a few places there are teleports set to lift you to unseen places. Though Shadowfell returns every year it seems new every year Maybe there will be a TP hud later so watch for that. Here is the entrance. Perhaps you will see me there again along the paths. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MIST/9/84/23

Gemma Cleanslate

"The Pond" And "The Forgotten"

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

While doing the Nature Collective Hunt I visited some venues I had never seen before, nature related . One startled me and brought memories of the Greenies home of old. The beauty invited me to return and explore. It is The Pond. Everything there is immense, from the lily pads to the outsized koi below the waters and insects in the sky. rαvєn вαnríσn кrαу (RavenStarr Resident) is owner, designer, builder of The Pond.

It is a marvelous place to hang out with relaxing sites among the lilies. Check out the delicious picnic area or play in the sandbox. There are secret places here so walk around and touch. I went around the outer edges of the Pond and discovered little animals and birds.

Well I say little but they were not. Some were the same size as me. I had a hard time locating the prize there but finally found it. It is a dancing frog so that made me happy. While I was there 7 visitors arrived in different groups to explore. Take some time to go visit and relax on land or under the waters. A bubble on the lily pad will take you down. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairhill/108/156/26

“A magical swamp born from sorrow, lighting the way for explorer's to follow.

A castle in ruin, gardens left to despair. Eyes of lost statues left only to stare.

Whispers of sadness from voices long gone, dancing fairy dust left to sing its last song.”

This is a description of The Forgotten, another place I discovered on my Nature Collective hunt.

I found a dazzling sky and a fantastical swamp to maneuver moving on walkways and tree roots. Float around on a leaf for a while to discover the environment. The foliage and insects are so whimsical.

A fanciful lamp post seems to look at a visitor with laughter in the light. Lionsheart (Elfing Shenanigans) the owner has touched the deep secrets of the past in creating the place.

Mystical creatures inhabit the ruins above the swamp. Dragons fly overhead and an enormous whale , seemingly out of place, floats through the sky and I took a ride on his back. Look for little nooks of relaxing places, some frightening but also inviting. Bring your honey and dance in the gazebo at the edge of the waters.

Everywhere I walked I was aware of the beautiful sky above. The whole region is a delight to the eyes. I will return to poke through those ruins for more adventures.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Peaceful%20Shore/89/185/26

The Nature Collective has so many members with lovely places to explore and I will be doing that! Join the group and see all the offerings.

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Bayou Du Chat Noir

 
By Fritter Enzyme

What a trip it is going through this bayou late at night. It is lush with vegetation and culture. And it is very cat themed. So what is not to love. The buildings are beautiful at night, all era settings inside and out. Everything just glows. You will be lucky to find a hotel room available, or land. It is a popular place. 

There are art galleries where you can 'bayou' some pictures (I know, bad pun), and a few cool bars. There's a nice library as well. Do take some time to check out behind the buildings in the downtown area. Some old-timer coin-operated machines are around to play with. 

The graveyard is nice, great for Halloween season. Look for the green voodoo shop downtown as it is a must-see. Maybe get a reading and get your voodoo on. Talk to the swamp spirits, seek their wisdom.

Kitty Vinji and Kylie Quinn share duties of running the sim. They host fun events time to time. Halloween is a major event, but check out the bayou Christmas. I knew Kitty from her previous store, the Dapper Cat (which is now a barber shop), in a different bayou that we both lived in. They have set out to make their own place, and they very much succeeded. 

You do need to hand out at the Love Shack for a real good time and some great tunes. The atmosphere is perfect! Get your info card at the landing site. Have fun, and always support the sims you dig!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bayou%20Chat%20Noir/47/200/25/

This link will bring you to Kitty's temporary gacha store and nearby Cat Museum: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Peacock%20Park/172/96/54

Fritter Enzyme

Return to Darkwood

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

Darkwood is one of Truck (Truck Meredith) and Ty Tenk (Tymus Tenk) special regions for a holiday. This one began in 2014 and is perfect for a different sort of Halloween from many others. There are yearly changes but as the owners say, ”We are happy to bring back a part of it this year. Though different, its spirit remains (smile).”  

I picked up my group hat and backpack, set the region windlight, turned on the music,  grabbed a flashlight. and headed in for the new treats, or tricks.

 

The first thing I did was take the Elven Boat Ride .This ride takes one through the swamp which is filled with marvels . It also takes off into the air and high over the mountains and hanging sky islands. It is a long ride so plan time .

Touring Darkwood on foot is easy if you follow the torches places along the way. But, some of the signs are iffy and getting lost is not bad either. There are places to sit by a fire and relax.

The Pavilion where many parties take place is on one of the sky islands and it spectacular as always. There are events there every few days at 7pm SL time  until Halloween and the calendar is there to view. During your tour you will find donation ghouls in the forest, swamp and Pavilion.

Ty and Truck do not have any commercial activities on their Calas Galadhon regions. Their main objective in Second Life is to provide enjoyment and entertainment for their members and visitors. You are invited to join the group . 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Rock/90/30/23

Gemma Cleanslate

New Toulouse

By Fritter Enzyme

Lafitte's Old Primsmith Bar is just one of my favorite places at New Toulouse.  Described as:  “Home of Mama Cree's Freebies, All Full Perm - The oldest structure in New Toulouse!  Refurbished a few times, but it was here first! Stop by and drown your sim-blues in prim-booze.” It is the type of place I was hoping to find in New Toulouse.  The environment is with the trimmings and music of the era in the flavor of Second Life.  Tarot cards on the bar really work, with instructions for you to learn from.  You are reminded not to drop your cigarette butts on the floor as they may burn the hands and knees of the other customers as they leave. 

I ran into Henri Godenot, the Mayor of the city and owner of the sim there.  He welcomes all to come to Toulouse to explore the city and bayou as well.  It is nice to have an official welcome extended to all. 
New Toulouse is based on New Orleans, circa 1900-1925.  The buildings show it, and music everywhere is jazz, blues and zydeco.

In the old time cemetery you can find tombs, all above ground, as it truly is there.  One is for you to leave your current worries.  It is called the Catharsis Laval. Open the tomb, and touch the floor and type in your worry.  Close the door and leave it behind you.  The grave yard by itself is a beautiful and unique experience.  Lots can be rented, if available to set up a mausoleum as creative as you are.   Included is a tomb dedicated to Miss Ing Inventory:  The Lab giveth, the Lab taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lab. 

Street cars (one named Desire) run through the streets to give you a ride or tour of the city.  Art galleries offer proper vintage posters and art for your home in New Toulouse, which, of course does offer rentals for homes and businesses.  The homes can be a simple apartment or a Victorian house.  Architecture is one of the best features of the city.  Hanging plants, balconies, and pony mounts are everywhere.  Silent movies of the era are at the Bijou Impromptu.  It is near the Beth Shalom Synagogue. 

Another favorite of mine is a second hand store called Look What the Cat Dragged in. They gave grab bags in the back room, and all products are delivered by a cat with a bag in its mouth.  Speaking of cats, they are all over the city, many at Miss KK's cathouse.  This is a home for abandoned cats, not what you might think as a ‘cat house.’  It is by Skye Qi Vintage Apparel Emporium. Which is a fine place to find your outfits for this sim.  Sadly lacking in much for males, but this seems so true for most of Second Life.

But now, a trip to the bayou.  Land of swamps and alligators.  Bridges and boats will bring you around in this land.  Many residential areas are here, but then you will find places to shop and rest, or drink… same thing.  Watch for the gators here.  Things are very rustic and rural. Broken windows and river rats are the norm.  Private areas are here, and armadillos too.  Club houses exist as well as great swamp nature to see. 

Voodoo, and spirituality are everywhere in both sims.  You can make appointments to get your fortune read at many places.  Even participate in reading them yourself.  Houses range from boats to shacks to nice dwellings, but all have that touch of age, and of the damage of the bayou.  You may find modern music here on some private lands, but all seems open and worth seeing.  The homes all seem very accessible here.  One last word.  There is a newspaper here, the Tattler.  It has gossip, events, and a lot of silliness worth seeing. 

New Toulouse:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Toulouse/209/202/23

A video of their Mardi Gras event:  http://www.newtoulouse.org/samedi-gras-15-movie/

The Tattler: http://www.newtoulouse.org/

Fritter Enzyme