Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld

Note: Wild Branch has relocated.

Once again I followed Shawn Shakespeare’s lead and headed for a location which has been on my “to visit” list given it has often popped up in my searches of the Destination Guide, but which I had not got around to hopping over to. That place is the Wild Branch Brewing Co.

Nestled in a secluded area of Riverbook, scattered with lush shrubbery & green foliage, the Wild Branch Brewing Co. is a first of it’s kind craft beer brewery experience in Second Life.

Immerse yourself in rustic tranquillity with luxury amenities for the perfect nature getaway.

It’s your time to be adventurous, be secluded, be daring, be free – our retreat lets you do all of that and more. Come visit us to unwind.

– Wild Branch Brewing Co,  region holder Lexy Nexen

Occupying a Homestead region held by Lexy Nexen, with a design by KaidenTray, this is a richly wooded region, rugged in nature and cut into by water, offering a mix of public spaces and short-term rental spaces suitable for the Second Life “vacationer”.

The landing point is located on the east side of the setting, tucked between the pub with its micro-brewery and a cosy art gallery which at the time of my visit featured a modest display of Second Life focused art by Jennifer Steele.

The pub – based on the superb Kierna Ranch design by Cory Edo (a design I’ve been eyeing for potential use on Myvatn – maybe, someday!). sees the large deck of the default build turn into an open-air music and seating area, the pool neatly converted into the dance floor overlooking the inlet cutting into the region’s heart.

A north-south footpath runs through the landing point and between the pub and the gallery; To the south, it descends to where a finger of an island points westwards, home to a second, outdoor bar, again with its own DJ space. To reach this, on crossing the channel of water separating the main island from the smaller, the path turns past one of the short-term rentals on the region, a small cabin sitting on a deck built out over the water. Beyond the bar, the path continues to where a kayak rezzer sits on the water for those fancying a paddle around the waters of the region.

Northwards, the path doglegs to run along the coast, passing a fenced-off campsite (also available for short-term rent) and a corner rental cabin before turning west to reach further rental cabins clustered either side of a waterfall and pool. A further pool of water sits between the pub and the camp site. Offered as a possible swimming hole fed by another waterfall, this is also a haven for local wildfowl.

The inlet cutting to the heart of the region offers 7-seas fishing and also, at its south-western headland, a further rental property, a substantial 2-storey cabin offering more space and seclusion than the other rentals on the region. Both fishing and cabin are best reached via the kayak mentioned above, although obviously, be aware the cabin might be rented already, and so privacy might be expected. The eagle-eyed might also spot paddleboard rezzer on the shingles of the inlet, whilst another rezzer alongside the 7-seas fishing presents floats for those who fancy cooling down while splashing around in the waters of the inlet.

Surprisingly devoid of an accompanying soundscape – outside of the cracking of a fire in the campsite -, which does leave the setting a little less immersive than might otherwise be the case (no birdsong in the trees? no rumble or splash of water tumbling from vertical or stepped falls?), Wild Branch Brewing Co., is still nevertheless highly photogenic and an attractive visit.

(Note, these is a region surround present that might not be obviously reflected in the photos here; this is because my viewer decided it did not want to fully render the entire surround, so rather than having chunks of it “missing” and random lines crossing through the sky, I opted to de-render the surround.)

SLurl Details

• Wild Branch Brewing Co. (Riverbrook, rated Moderate)

It was off to Heterocera once more after Shawn Shakespeare passed me the Landmark for Sweetwater Valley, an utterly engaging region-sized retreat set out as cliff-top parklands running around the edge of a narrow passage of water which has over time, cut its way into the landscape to leave a lone table of rock rising between cliffs and open sea.

Sitting on the north-east coast of the continent, the setting has been designed by Selena XOXO. The landing point sits on the southern side of a broad bricked path as it arcs around the top of the cliffs, and is set a short distance back from their edge.

To the east, this path runs straight and true, passing an ice-cream concession before dropping down a stairway to sit just above the water’s edge. Here, a small wharf sits and a gondola can be taken for an (automated) ride around the base of the offshore island.

Westward, the path curls gently north, passing the entrance to the park from the local highway and also by an old Ferris wheel, to become something of a headland sitting between open waters and the mouth of the gorge. Here sits a tiered area for relaxing and / or dancing, and where steps descend to where a carpet of flowers sit under the shade of trees and a further hidden place to sit and contemplate or cuddle can be found. A further waterside wharf can also be found here, tucked below the terraces, allowing people to hop off (or onto) the automated gondola as it circles the waterway.

The centre island can be reached via the span of a single high bridge sitting atop three tall arches as they march across the waters of the gorge from the western cliffs. This bridge offers access to a waist-high paved footpath which circles the island, occasionally dipping down towards the waters below or providing access to terraces and places to sit.

Facing the bridge as it reaches the island is a set of stairways leading up to the flat top of the island’s plateau, passing by way of a shortcut linking it to the setting’s landing point. The top of the island is a place given over to dance and music, where Elvis is busy swinging his pelvis and Samuel L. Jackson is shruttin’ his funk in moves John Travolta could only dream of in Pulp Fiction. OK, so maybe they are not actually Elvis and Mr. Jackson, but you get my drift…

Finished with a custom soundscape and environmental settings (although it looks good under a variety of the latter), Sweetwater Valley is rich in detail, with sculptures scattered throughout and little touches than encourage one to stay and explore (including a farther ride on the water, for those who spot it under the island!). Yes, there are a few places where the grass and flowers disconcertingly march away from rocks and edges to float in mid-air, but not enough to in any way put one off.

Above all, this is a pace that lives up to its About Land description, requiring very little more to be said about it other than – go see for yourself!

Beautiful hangout with good music, and an awesome dance area. Take that someone special on a romantic Gondola ride. Lots of cuddle spots.  

– Sweetwater Valley About Land

SLurl Details

• Sweetwater Valley (Scotopterx, rated Moderate)