Winter at Astoria

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Now that most of the holiday is over and the New Year yet to begin I went to visit a more quiet place that is set for the winter, Astoria. Well, by quiet I mean a place where there is no market or selling and the soft snow is falling on woods and trails and there are places to sit and relax or have fun with winter sports alone or with friends.

Arriving one feels the peace of the forest immediately. There is a post with teleports to many venues making it easy to get around. I like to walk first in the woods and see the animals and trees and shrubs and little hidden places to relax.

I came across a feeding station for reindeer and cattle. I did not get too close to those massive animals.

Farther on I came to the frozen water where I found a young polar bear frisking on the ice while Mom watched . Again I did not go too close! I did join some penguins who were sliding on the ice and hanging around having fun. I loved it so joined them!

My next stop was at the coffee cafe where I took a hot chocolate and rested a bit before I walked on. I took the TP to the Christmas tree where I found a gift . I am not sure it will be there for long but take a look for it.

I found a ski lift that took me to the top of the mountain. A very nice snow board rezzer gave me a board that I had a hard time controlling! Ha ha! Good thing there was a sled rezzer there that was much better to ride. The lighting there is so silvery, not quite night time but close to it, magical. Be sure to use the shared environment to experience it .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ironia/9/70/21

I made it back to the Dickens project for a show by the VIRTUOSO PERFORMING ARTS called Time Capsule. It was lovely and thought provoking.

That is what Virtuoso does. “The message I wish us all to send out within and around our group this coming year is the magic of change, as we work to save the world resources we all need to survive now, and for future generations to come….”

Wonderful performance.! Here are some photos from the presentation.

Gemma Cleanslate

Three More Winter Fun Places

By Bixyl Shuftan
 

With Christmas just hours away, many of us will be spending time away from Second Life with friends and family. For those of us sticking around on the holiday, or need a break, there's some places to check out for some winter-themed fun. Gemma Cleanslate's done many articles about locations where one can take part in activities (here), (here), (here), (here), and (here). So was there more? I found a few more places: Linden Lab's Winter Wonderland and Roos Holiday Village. 

Besides the Snowball Fight Area at Winter Wonderland 2 (113/7/31), heading over to  Winter Wonderland 2 (126/40/24) was a snowboarding track. Just touch the rezzer and "sit" on the board. You can then zoom around the track. If there's nobody else to race against, you can see how fast you can make a lap. Or just zoom around for the heck of it.
 

Caledon, Second Life's largest steampunk community, has winterized it's sims and put up the Christmas decorations. Caledon Downs, run by Cynthia Farshore, has brought back it's Christmas Express, which has a train going by several stops, including a "secret" North Pole Village location. 

For details on the location check out the 2018 article. Or just head here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Downs/194/137/50  

Another place is from a noted Relay for Life team, "Roos' Holiday Village for ACS," high above Elite Oasis.

Santa & Grinch Live, Santa & Grinch Photos, Sleigh Rides, Winter Village, Winter Petting Zoo, Christmas Tree Farm, Horse & Buggy Ride, Skiing, Sledding, Snow Mobiles, Train Ride, Children's Rides & Games, Ice Skating, Santa's Workshop, Gingerbread Houses, Picture Poses, Carriage Tour Ride, Ski & Sled Slope, Snowball Fight Area, Ski Lift, Game Area, Dance Area, 30 Item Gift Hunt, 50+ Free Gifts, ....and more

One thing that got my attention was the free skis. And just past the pickup place was a ski course.

The place had much more, including a ski lift to go from one place to another, a Grinch shooting gallery, a skating pond with free skates, and more.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elite%20Oasis/141/12/23

That's about all for now for Christmas and winter-themed locations. But don't worry too much. Expect a few more reports of winter locations around New Years, and January.

Bixyl Shuftan

Chamonix City

By Gemma Cleanslate

If you want your absolute fill of winter sports, don’t miss the Chamonix City sims. “Fantastic winter sports community inside Second Life! Sims located to the west of Braggiani. Come visit GOHA ice hockey, and try out hockey, snowboarding, cross country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and more. Everything is free! Chamonix-Mont-Blanc  was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics (the first Winter Olympics). It has been described as "the death-sport capital of the world". GOHA in slGlobal on line hockey association  offices in neutral zone.. can join and get all equipment free.”

This is another superb area where you can experience all the snow fun you want. It is here all year long. There are several landing places in the  regions for different venues. I like the small park after you cross the huge bridge from the mainland sims. Here you find a teleport to some of the sports arenas as well as a lift to the town in Neutral zone town. The Neutral Zone has some interesting offices..GOHA... one for the cheerleaders group.. one for the women’s wrestling group and more.

 I enjoy using the lifts to get around to the fun places for your own winter sports. Besides the great down hill ski slope there is a wonderful ski jump where you can practice or compete for your distance. I did well to get to the bottom on my feet first time! I really need practice but I did manage 35 m before crashing to the ground, tried again and got to 43m . Bobsledding is one sport I have not seen around except for in Chamonix city. That was a hoot! Practice or compete for time on the board. I need practice here too! There is a lift to reach the tops of the hills to participate in all these activities.

Take a friend or two and go over to check out all the wonderful areas . The arenas are all set for games and you are invited to join the group to find out more. Walk around the Neutral Zone town and stop in.

One thing I did before I left was to hop on the pod that took me over the bridge to the mainland sims and took me up the Amundsen road and up into Hanson on the Hanson road. It was a great tour by interesting places. This landmark will put you by the teleporter in the park.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neutral%20Zone/219/189/62 .

Gemma Cleanslate

Winter Wonderland

By Gemma Cleanslate

Finally, now that the Christmas Expo is over I was able to get to the Winter Wonderland that the Lindens put up for lots of winter fun. To get there, you must start at the Portal Park which is in its wintery Christmas décor. Walk down the path leading to the portal itself and just jump on in. You will be transported to the lovely whimsical village. 

A big red gift box awaits you in the gazebo in the village square. In the box is a cute snow globe with snowflakes and a howling wind when you click it created by Garden Mole. Take a look at the signage in the village to guide you to the various sites you will want to visit. The snowball arena is sometimes busy with avatars hiding among the rocks and waiting for unsuspecting newcomers or having a full blown snowball fight with the weapons you will find there. At the ice skate arena you will find several pairs of skates of different sizes from which to choose. The Ferris Wheel is very popular with couples and gives a terrific view of the entire land, and the huge snowman that watches over all. 

Another favorite area is the Winter snow track that winds in and out and around the hills and arenas and offer a great track for those who love speeding over the snow on a snowboard that you rezz.  It looks like something left over from construction).  The region windlight offers a glow to everything around and a pleasant environment for your visit. I wonder if the Lindens will be in for a snowball fight? I have to check into that! I did! There will be a gigantic snow ball fight on December 21, Monday, between 10am slt and noon!! Oh I hope I can make it!!!

Before you leave the portal park look around at the other offerings ther . This is where you can start many adventures. Each path from the center leads to some different activity: The Linden Realms, Paleoquest, a social place and more. There are free gifts by several of the paths so look for the boxes. 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%201/126/139/23 

Gemma Cleanslate