Category: Exploring 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)

In a follow-up to her Memories of Dreams, a Homestead region I wrote about back in April 2024 (see: Memories of Dreams in Second Life), Yxes (Yxes Evergreen) recently opened a new Homestead region design she is calling Memories of Spring – and it is as eye-catching as Memories of Dreams as it is different.

Spring, a time to wake up and explore all our worlds. Follow picturesque paths along a rocky coast. A special thank you to some of the artists of SL, who make our world more beautiful. Look for their work here and throughout SL!

–  Yxes, writing about Memories of Spring

Backed by a partial off-region surround and against which it abuts, Memories of Spring gives the suggestion of being a rugged headline extending outwards from a mountainous coastal region. However, whether this coastline is part of an island or a much larger land mass is up to your imagination. The mountains sit to the east side of the region, their faces masked in shadow and haze, their domed heads frosted with snow as they appear to stand guard over the setting.

The Landing Point sits close the where the mountains touch the region, and specifically on the terrace of a large Tuscan-style villa, a curtain of rock to its rear separating it from the off-region surround as both house and terrace look westward along the island’s length. The house is open to the public and is tastefully furnished, with the covered entranceway set out ready for a shared meal. Inside, one of the room contains the first hint of the art and artists of SL referenced in Yxes’ description, in the form of a series of figures by Alpha Auer.

Stone steps descend from the terrace and its modern fountain to a paved depression amidst the rock. A further fountain sits here, moss-aged but with clear waters. As well as occupying the sides of the fountain, the moss has spread out over the paving, suggesting the stone was laid a long time ago, while stone blocks to one side stand together in the suggestion that they, the paving and the fountain are the remnants of a structure that once occupied this hollow. But again, perhaps that is the illusion they are meant to present, their having been placed there to give the villa a sense of having a sunken garden space before it. 

Further steps rise from the fountain to where another Tuscan-style building sits on a shelf of rock. It stands above a sandy bay and offers a cosy summer house feel within its walls – and it must be passed through in order to continue onwards – unless you want to scramble and slide over rocks to reach the beach; for it is on the far side of the summer house that the path and steps continue, descending via piers of stone to reach the sand.

It is here that the setting marvellously opens out. On the beach, sandpipers search for food as rivulets of water flow over the sand to reach an incoming tide which has, over the years, carved the sand so as to form a small, natural lagoon-like hallow within it. A further house sits on the headland here, its piers offering room for boats to come alongside, the terrace above them welcoming painters despite the downpour going on on the other side of its bulk. This rain, falling steady and quite locally, is slowly drowning the large courtyard backing onto the house and reached via a path running through a grove of silver birch also caught under the rain’s cloak.

It is in the courtyard that the first real hints of much older structures than the villa and its summer house might be found. Partially-demolished – presumably by some passage of violent weather – walls and a stairways appear to be undergoing repair. More ruins lie beyond the gates at the back of the courtyard, the hollowed rooms, empty window sockets and open maws of doorways forming a most attractive means to display 3D art by Mistero Hifeng and Bryn Oh, whilst coffee might be enjoyed within the walls of one of the aged towers.

Looking out over the southern aspect of the island, these ruins in turn provide a glimpse of still more remnants of habitation. Reached via a further path, they sit as a magical place built on the water’s edge where chandeliers both hang from the ceiling and sit suspended in air where crystalline shapes float like strange and exotic creatures – or the petals of plants. Within this space visitors can appreciate further 3D art from the vantage point of comfortable armchairs or a bronze hoop also suspended in the air in defiance of gravity or a glass of wine might be enjoyed at the makeshift bar.

Nor do things end here, for the path continues onwards to yet more ruins, these perhaps the source of the stonework used within the hollow become the main villa.

As much a part of the landscape as built upon it, these ruins are, to me, sublimely photogenic and beautifully natural in placement and look. It is as if whoever built them did so in order to maximise the shelter provided by the rocky spines and rises of the land behind them, although whether they were all originally part of the same group of buildings or represent different generations of construction is up to you to decide. What I will say is, they offer one of the most eye-catching uses of The looking Glass Chapel Ruins by Marcus Inkpen that I’ve seen in a while.

Watched over by a batter and weather beaten lighthouse at its north-western extent, rich in both art, décor and detail throughout, Memories of Spring is an engaging visit.

SLurl Details

Memories of Spring (Ghilanna, rated Moderate)

In the first part of this series, I wrote about the return of Chaos Theory, the setting designed by Megan Prumier  which originally sat in the sky above The Butterfly Effect by Vally Lavender. In particular I noted the setting now has a new home, courtesy of Izzy Moondust (iggymurphy), who specifically went out and obtained a Full region just so Chaos Theory and its  residents could once again enjoy it (see: Chaos and Calm in Second Life – Part 1: Chaos Theory).

In that article I noted that as well as presenting Chaos Theory as a public space once more, the ground level of the region it sits within was also being developed by Megan on Izzy’s behalf as a rural space for people to explore and enjoy, and that I’d be covering it closer to completion time. Well, Megan has been working her socks off – and the region’s ground level is now all but done, so here’s the promised piece!

Called Calm, the ground level of the region is a marvellous, largely public setting (Izzy does have her home in the north-west corner of the region, screen away from the rest by trees and sitting on its own hill so please respect her privacy) featuring a lot to see and appreciate throughout. And I do mean a lot; such is Megan’s skill, this is a place that genuinely feels a lot, lot larger than the region in which it sits.

I’m honestly not sure whether words are adequate when it comes to Calm; the setting is so richly informed from its coastal edges to it high cliffs. The Landing Point sits close to the western side of the region,  tucked under the roof of a gazebo sitting between the region two outflowing streams.

These streams flow to the coast from a large lake below the region’s eastern uplands with their high cliffs,  and leave the ground on which the Landing Point sits as a tongue of land lapping at the lake at its bulbous inland end. This headland is split by two small brooks as they depart the lake, forming a Y as they meet to form the southern most of the two streams.

This headland offers an ideal vantage point from which to appreciate the horseshoe of waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs, a path running due east from the Landing Point running almost to the little bridge spanning one of the brooks to reach the headland.

The falls carry the name Snoqualmie Falls, and so appear to honour one of Washington state’s most popular natural attractions. As scenic as they are within Calm, the cliffs from which the water tumbles hide a number of points of interest and secrets which might be easily  be missed by the unwary visitor.

Close by the Landing Point gazebo and on its north side, a wooden bridge spans one of the two streams to lead to a stone-paved footpath. Running eastward towards the falls, this path quickly reaches fields of grass and flowers on the edge of the lake, arched boxwood hedges marking where it continues onward to where it starts winding up through the cliffs, passing by a warehouse converted into a (publicly-accessible) house, complete with a most unique (and historic!) garden ornament located on a flat-topped shoulder of rock.

Beyond the warehouse, the path continues to meander between high bluffs of rock, helping to give the region that sense of being a lot bigger than 256×256 sq metres, prior to reaching a high meadow cut through by some of the water from the upper level of waterfalls. Beyond a bridge spanning this stream, the path plunges into a long, natural tunnel as it passes under the highest waterfalls, offering its own unique beauty prior to emerging on the southern uplands, where a rough trail offers a route back down to the lowlands once more.

However, before being two quick to pass through the cave north-to-south, make sure you look around the field leading into its northern end, as you might find a lookout point of interest. further, mid-way through the tunnel you might noticed a – curtained, shall we say – exit leading to another retreat sitting between the step-like waterfalls to provide a magnificent view out of the region and its many points of interest.

As you descend from the upland along the southern trail and you’ll pass back through some of these further points of interest, including the arboretum, Buckskin peak camp store (which I take to be reference to Mount Buckskin in the Rocky Mountains), outdoor camp sites, what looks to be an art gallery in waiting, a farm shop bakery, places to fish, an old boathouse complete with a dice game sitting neatly on the water, a meadow for horse grazing, a neatly hidden events stage – the Steampunk Corner – and more.

Another event space is to be found on the lake itself. It takes the form of a solidly-built warehouse sitting atop a broad deck extending out over the lake’s shallow northern waters. Called simply Club Calm, it offers bars to either end (one topped by the DJ booth, the mostly open floor in the middle available for dancing.

And all of this still only scratches at the surface of a setting that lives up to is name in every way, and which is rounded-out by a mix of animal / wildlife, a perfect ambient soundscape and plenty of places to sit and pass the time.  Teleport boards are available to help with getting around (and with getting up to Chaos Theory and back!) – but really, Calm should be experienced carefully and on foot – it is a genuine joy to explore.

Do be sure to visit!

SLurl Details

Jhaeros is rated Moderate

• Calm
• Chaos Theory

Updated, March 19th: Calm is now open, and you can find my review in Chaos and Calm in Second Life – Part 2: a rich Calm, with the SLurl also at the end of this piece.

Back in May 2024 I visited The Butterfly Effect / Chaos Theory, a joint region design by Vally Lavender (The Butterfly Effect), and Megan Prumier (Chaos Theory) – see: Caught within a Butterfly Effect in Second Life.

Both were very different settings, one being largely rural in nature, the other being an urban rooftop setting, the two joined by their shared reference to the theory generally associated with mathematician and meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz (although it predates him by a good margin!).

Now, Chaos Theory is back within Second Life – and once again it shares a region with another setting – one also very rural (almost wild in places!). The latter occupies the ground level of the region the two share, whilst Chaos Theory once again sits up in the sky.

The region is a Full private region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus. It is held by Izzy Moondust (iggymurphy), who kindly invited me to pay a visit to both settings within it ahead of the official opening of the ground-level location – called Calm, and which will form the second half of this two-parter – which is due around March 21st, although Chaos is currently already open to visitors. Given this, and because both regions deserve individual reviews, I’ll be focusing on Chaos Theory here.

It’s a setting that initially looks much as it did back in 2024 – and this is intentional, for reasons I’ll come to. It offers a wonderful rooftop sitting where buildings and attics open out onto neighbouring roofs, ladders and boardwalks link different levels and corners, and indoor spaces flow naturally into outdoor spaces and back.

The level of detail here is quite extraordinary, as was the case with the original – although I believe I’m correct in saying Megan has added more to this iteration, giving it even more of that sense of being a “lived-in” setting, rich in the kind of human clutter typical of an urban location. This makes careful exploration a must – although do keep in mind that the apartments scattered around are private residences, so do take care with interior spaces that are not clearly intended as a public space (residences are clearly numbered for easy of identification).

These apartments add a further depth to the setting, something I noted when writing about the original iteration, to whit:

There is a ramshackle beauty spread throughout these rooftop spaces that is admirable both in the level of detail provided and in the sense that this is a real, bohemian-leaning community of like-minded souls. It’s a setting with a real sense that music, art and creativity all flourish without ever being forced or artificially nurtured; somewhere where everyone lives more as an extended family than mere friends and acquaintances drawn together through shared interests. 

– from Caught Within a Butterfly Effect, May 2024

The music / social aspect of Chaos is event throughout; the original open-air dance  / event space remains the focal-point for activities, and at the time of my visit events were set for both the 18th March (commencing 20:00 SLT) and 19th  March (commencing 16:00 SLT).

One of the most remarkable aspects of Chaos and Calm is Izzy’s generosity, which alone makes both settings worth the visit, and I’ll allow Izzy to explain why in their own words:

Did you see Megan’s Chaos Theory build? I used to live on it before the sim owner closed it down. I didn’t want to see it go away so I got a region and asked Megan to resurrect it. I just want this to be a place for people to come and explore and attend events.

– Izzy Moondust on Chaos (and Calm)

This generosity extends to the fact to the private apartments mentioned earlier, as Izzy does not charge for their use. All were occupied at the time of my visit and – unsurprisingly given that sense of extended family feel I mentioned above – those occupying them have followed the setting from its original location over The Butterfly Effect to its new location with Calm.

There is a warmth and attraction within Chaos that is infectious, particularly when meeting Izzy, that has one wishing for the opportunity to put down roots there. As noted, at the time of my visits, all the apartments within Chaos were occupied; but if, after you’ve explored, you feel it might be somewhere you might want to live within – do IM Izzy and see what might be done.

I really enjoyed seeing Chaos Theory back in-world, and will – as noted – be offering a write-up on Calm once it is nearer completion, so as to allow Megan to work on it with Izzy in peace; expect part two of this pairing to be up a little later in the week! My grateful thanks to Izzy for the invitation!

SLurl Details

• Chaos Theory (Jhaeros, rated Moderate)