Category: Second Life

In June 2023 I dropped in to Tripty’s (triptychlysl’s) Reality Escape. At the time, it celebrated some of my favourite things: coffee, a good book, somewhere to curl up and appreciate both, and a pleasant setting in which to enjoy all three (see: Books, Coffee and Chairs in Second Life, oh my!). Chance recently caused me to make a return to see what might have changed – and it made for an enjoyable visit.

Remaining as a full region a Full region, Reality Escape still offers those three comforts – coffee, chairs and books – all wrapped within a photogenic environments caught under a custom EEP sky (although I’ve opted to use one of my own in the images herein so that you might enjoy Tripty’s).

Comprising four islands (with a couple of little outcrop islets), with two clearly separated one from the other and the remaining two hugging the coast of the largest, it is a serene place where gulls circle lazily and, if you use the Shared Environment, contrail-like ribbons divide the sky, seemingly left by airliners passing high overhead in silence and with little interest in the haven below.

The largest of the islands is home to the setting’s Landing Point, located on a deck raised over the land and bordered on three sides by wooden buildings. One of these forms a coffee house and another a reading room-come-music lounge, and the third a greenhouse. Part of this deck extends over the water to form a landing stage for a ferry – suggesting more land might not be too far away.

A narrow brook runs under the main deck, north-to-sea, technically making the island not one but two. As it passes under the deck, so it feeds a vibrant little garden visible from the tables set out on the deck, whilst steps lead down to the boulder-and-shingle shoreline.

A second deck extends to the south, in turn providing access to the rest of the island as it offers a series of walks and trails across itself.

Which of these paths you follow is up to you – but make your way far enough eastwards, and you’ll find further decks providing seating and access to the two small littoral islands, themselves connected by both decking and two imaginative little bridges.

Another bridge spans the water north to the second of the large islands.

Long and low, this island is largely given over to grassland and shrubs – and a few trees.  It is here, among the supports holding up the region’s name, that a memory of Books, Coffee and Chairs can be found in the form of artistically arranged and suspended chairs. The view back towards the main island, when seen under the Shared Environment is almost dream-like, and can be appreciated from some of the chairs.

The beauty of this setting is in the serenity I mentioned earlier; wherever you wander, there is a sense of peace and natural beauty. From little camp sites to bubbling brook and flashes of flower blooms among the grass and rock, to the pools of bright wildflowers and Sakura in bloom, everything just feels right.  And throughout it all lay a plethora of detail which further brings the setting to life.

With multiple places to sit, indoors and out, its multiple trails to follow and little touches to be discover – even the the donation taker in the greenhouse is likely to bring a smile to the faces of visitors, this is a setting to be savoured. A perfect escape from the realities of life.

But don’t just take my word for it – go and see for yourself.

SLurl Details

• Reality Escape, rated Adult

In December 2024, I visited Alpha Auer’s marvellous Gingerbread and the Woodies (see here for more), which Alpha described as a “sort of” continuation of her Ragville. At the time I noted that even without knowledge of Ragville, Gingerbread and the Woodies stood on its own two feet as a delightful place to visit.

Well, for spring 2025, Alpha has kind-of offered us a sort-of reimagining of the Gingerbread and the Woodies setting to present us with another whimsical and engaging setting of villages, boats and local inhabitants, in the form of Quirklewick Hollow. However, this is not merely a re-vamp of Gingerbread, it is an entirely new – and interactive – environment located somewhere in the imagination.

But before getting too deeply into things, be sure that on arrival you have a word with the notecard giving tree for a lot of worthwhile background information on the setting, and also make sure you are using the region’s Shared Environment.

The interactive element of the setting starts close to the Landing Point in the form of a pushy trampoline(!) – other aspects are more subtle (hint: read one of the notecards offered by the tree mentioned above!). However, it is the local inhabitants and their homes within the setting that draw attention.

The former are the most remarkable group of individuals … critters … creatures … aliens … take your pick of descriptions. Running from insectoid-like characters through somewhat anthropomorphic dog-like individuals and what might be animal-bird cross-overs to a multi-limbed alienesque fellow (and all points in between!), they all have one thing in common: they are a happy-go-lucky bunch enjoying all that life has to offer as they get together for a little shindig or sit down for afternoon tea on the grass or wander the local park in happy conversation and / or with (what I assume to be) their pets.

As to the homes, these are all as equally as varied and colourful. If you’ve ever encountered the expression walls have ears, then you might be semi-prepared for these houses, in as much as their walls (and roofs and eaves and windows) have eyes – quite literally. Some even have the suggestion of having feet they might waddle around on when you’re not looking! In addition, some appear to be melting and others seem to have giant faucets extending out of them (although one could quite easily be an elephant’s trunk given the partial face protruding from the same window!).

Are they alive?  That’s up for your imagination to decide; some certainly look to be animated / agitated about something, at least in the larger of the villages, which I gather is called Upper Quirklewick. This is where the locals are all out and having a bit of a dance party (perhaps that’s the reason for some of the grumbly expressions on the houses – they don’t appreciate all the music and fun?).

Along the coast it is possible to find a little fishing village somewhat reminiscent of the one within Gingerbread and the Woodies, whilst it also has a character all its own. Here, too, the houses keep an eye on things whilst some of the little boats in the two harbour coves might additionally be noted for their eyes – and teeth!

The park mentioned above lies closer to the Landing Point, occupying a little flat island of its own. Reached via stepping stones cross the water, it makes for a pleasant little walk. The trees and grass here (and in many places across the setting) are unusual, in that they are not all by Alpha, but are items she has purchased for landscaping Quicklewick Hollow. This does in any way lessen the setting – Alpha using does everything herself – but rather gives the location more a sense that it straddles the line between reality and imagination; the kind of place one might pop into when drifting into dreamland.

This sense of being on the edge of reality is further increased by the presence of very Earthly cats, both on a couch alongside one of Quirklewick’s meandering footpaths and keeping watch from one of the houses in Upper Quirklewick – perhaps a reminder that no matter where we go, our Feline Overlords will always be ready to keep an eye on things!

As noted above, do obtain the introductory folder from the Landing Point – there are multiple places to set awaiting discovery, and the information in the pack will advise you on how to make use of them using the poseball included in the pack. But above all – do visit Quirklewick Hollow, and be sure to visit Alpha’s store there as well.

SLurl Details

• Quirklewick Hollow (Alphatribe Island, rated Moderate)

It’s been a while since I’ve visited Kaelyn Elara’s Soul Deep. and by “a while”, I mean nigh-on four years, my first (and thus far only) visit being back in May 2021!

I’m not sure if the setting has been around in Second Life for the entire intervening period – back then it bore the same name as the region, where as now it appears to have relocated. However, given it popped out at me from the Destination Guide whilst browsing recently, I decided to hop over and take a look once more.

A peaceful spring landscape designed for relaxation and connection. Explore cosy little islands, stroll along flower-lined paths, and unwind by the shimmering lake … Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape or the perfect photo backdrop, Soul Deep invites you to breathe deep and stay awhile.

– Kaelyn Elara on Soul Deep

For this iteration of the setting, Kaelyn has joined forces with region designer Jacky Macpherson, and together they present a gorgeous, easy to appreciate and enjoy location entirely rural in nature.  In this, roughly half the region is used, the rest – particularly to the south and around the the west – being given over to open water.

The Landing Point sits close to the northern coastline of the main island, alongside to a large barn now converted to a café space – although its ranch / farm heritage is memorialised by a bucking bull for those wishing to try a ride. For the less adventurous there are a couple of calmer table-top games inside as well. Outside, at the hitching rail is a horse rezzer so visitors fancy touring on horseback can do so (and, obviously, if you have a wearable horse, you can wear and ride your own).

The trail alongside the hitching rail points the way to a bridge providing access to one of the smaller islands, which is in turn connected to a slightly larger island with a bridge back to the main land. Both of these islands are unencumbered by permanent structures, although the smaller one is home to a camper trailer and little campsite.

Finding your way around the setting is simply a matter of following the main trail circling the central lake. While this does split just to the east of the barn to encircle a copse of fir trees,  it does provide a complete route for exploration, starting with the ruins in the copse and the campsite tucked into the corner close to where the two arms of the trail reunite.

Following the trail south and away from the campsite just mentioned and taking the bridge over the neck of water linking lake to open water, will bring you to the setting’s one real hill. This hides an easy-to-find secret “under” it (do be sure to click on the arrow!) while hiding another of the setting’s three permanent structures in the form of another design by Cory Edo behind its bulk.

The third structure is located on the remain small island off to the south-east of the region, and takes the form of a cosy cabin watched over by a pair of elk. The latter are joined by red deer, reindeer, rabbits and birds scattered across the setting to give it further depth and life, with some of the latter imaginatively and naturally set – so its worth paying attention when exploring as you might easily miss them!

All of the buildings are open to public use and offer places to sit and converse and / or cuddle together with the camp sites scattered around. In addition there are trailside benches, blankets and a couple of romantic spots in which to pass the time (as well as the hidden one!). It’s even possible to enjoy an outdoor candlelit meal with friends if you’re so minded! Swan boats offer places to sit on the lake, while rowing boats out on the open waters do the same there as well.

Rich in detail, highly photogenic and a delight to visit, Soul Deep offers the perfect spring setting.

SLurl Details

• Soul Deep (PixelDust, rated Moderate)