Yosimite in Spring

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Yosemite spring 001 - I also took a side trip over to Yosemite to see the beautiful spring flowers and take a horseback ride as usual. It is definitely spring there now. I saw a mother bear and a cub in the distance but turned back quickly and quietly. The horses are out in the corral. There is a good map nearby that shows the loop for riding along the water area and through the forest trails. 

Camping is open and the kiddie playground waiting for visitors. The lovely B&Bs have become very popular she told me. Check those out.

My main reason for going was to see the marvelous new year round ski area that Jadin Emerald has installed up in the mountains, Forever Wild. It is wonderful and offers a choice of camping down on the spring area and going up for a ski trip for a day, or I see cute igloo tents(domes) for rent up there and even a few cabins if the family wants to stay a weekend or a week or more. There are free skis and also sleds provided and I found a high long ski slope and a lower one down below also. At the bottom is a tent set up with food and drink a chairs to relax for a while before taking the lifts up to come down again. What a treat for those who miss the cold snowy hills during the spring and summer. I never skied in real life so I enjoy the SL opportunity. I have to get out my ski outfit!

 

Not only that but you will find a sauna and a hot tub waiting for the after ski.

If you don’t have a navigator hud for the regions they are available when you arrive. It is all available to the residents and the visitors who frequent Yosemite. I got a photo of Jadin and a Yosemite resident and me trying the winter fishing hole.

What a terrific Lodge Jadin has installed. There is a dining area with a choice of food and drinks, a lounge and a gift shop with the lovely geodes at only 5L each that I could not resist. Some of the items in the shop are free.

 

Upstairs there are three lovely suites for rent at only 50L a night for skiers or those who need the winter views and skip skiing. It is a wonderful place to spend a few days. She is not finished yet though. I see more construction still going on. This is the entrance at the new area where you can find a Navigator and try the ski slopes.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forever%20Wild/176/200/2438

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Devon Dream and Caledon Downs

By Bixyl Shuftan

There's so many Christmas-themed places in Second Life, there's too many to write about. But we can mention a few good examples. Gemma Cleanslate has mentioned plenty, and may continue to write about winter-themed lands. But with December 25 almost here, I thought I might mention two favorite places of mine, Devon Dream and Caledon Downs.

Devon Dream is owned by Safra Nitely. Every year, she sets up a Christmas-themed display. Among the things one can do is ride a train.

In this display, it seems Rudolph is getting a little stubborn in regards to where the elf wants him to go.

 There's a frozen pond with bumper card in the shape of teacups.

Some nice relaxing scenery to check out.

And when night falls, one can see the aurora.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Devon%20Dream/77/102/23

Another place to check out is Caledon Downs in the Caledon community. Owned by Cynthia Farshore, this December "The Christmas Express" is back. You can ride it by heading to the station.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/196/114/44

Once it arrives, you have thirty seconds to find a seat to get on. It can be a little tricky as it's easy to end up sitting on the wrong part of the seat. But it won't be long before you're off and in the air.

And you're soon at Santa's Secret Base, presumably near the North Pole.

There are things to do there, such as this sled ride. While there, one can listen to the KGYG stream, which had plenty of Christmas tunes.

 Santa and his elves are busy at work.

There's a warm, and detailed looking, kitchen area.

Caledon Downs of course is just one sim. To the north at Caledon Moors, there was a ski slope one could ski on. One could just walk up, or take the ski lift (elevator) to the top.

One can pick up skis and skates at a couple points there, midpoint and at the top. You can also teleport there from midpoint.

Getting the hang of skiing with the provided skis can be a little tricky. But before you know it, you'll be going downhill.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Moors/53/115/21

There's a lot more to see at Caledon, so feel free to walk around.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Bixyl Shuftan