Tag: Exploring Second Life 2014

LennonParkOnTheRock, March 2014 – click any image for full size

I was fortunate enough to be tipped the wink about LennonParkOnTheRock, a full region held by Darth Kline, which he has developed into the most incredible parkland for visitors to enjoy.

Darth’s profile pick for the region reads:

A beautiful forested parcel in a private and exclusive Island. Lennon Park on the Rock is intended to be a sanctuary, the ideal place  for you to enjoy your second life.

My home and my place of solitude. come for a visit, stay a while.

LennonParkOnTheRock, March 2014

“Stay for a while.” That’s a wonderful invitation, and likely anyone visiting the region will want to do. Here is a place to wander, sit, relax, share time with a friend or two, explore or simply forget the worries of whichever world happen to be on your mind.

It’s very easy to slip into hyperbole when describing a region in Second Life, but this is one that really is visually stunning in design and execution, and packs a heck of a lot into it without ever feeling overcrowded or losing what is an entirely natural look and feel.

LennonParkOnTheRock, March 2014

From the arrival point alongside what appears to be a venue for live music, you can wander along the trails and paths around the region, from the diner up to the lookout tower on the plateau overlooking the region, or down to the coastal areas, waterways and the beach. Along the way, there’s a lot to discover and see, and more than enough to keep the SL photographer snapping away left and right.

The attention to detail here is fabulous, be it in the way the footpath, stone walls and the sim itself have been carefully blended to provide a lovely route up to what might be little holiday chalets overlooking the stone bridge leading to the lighthouse, or in the way the region has been given a feeling of use and history, through the inclusion of an old car wreck, a faded sign here and there and with some of the buildings looking is if they could use a little TLC.

LennonParkOnTheRock, March 2014

This is a place to be explored, rather than described; words alone cannot really do it justice. Not only is this because of the scenery or the fact that there are a fair few things to do around the region (including riding a number of rope slides for the daring), but also because there are little stories waiting in the various scenes which unfold as you explore, which demand stories of their own. Take the rusting wreckage of an old fighter plane lying half-submerged in a small lake, for example. Clearly there is a history to how it came to be there, but what is its tale? That’s for you to decide.

One thing to keep in mind should you visit is that the region has an adjoining homestead. While this enhances the look and feel of LennonParkOnTheRock by presenting a series of offshore islands, it also appears designed as a residential area, so do please be aware of people’s preference for privacy, just n case there are folk living there.

LennonParkOnTheRock, March 2014

I’ve little doubt this is a place to which I’ll be returning as time allows and for as long as it remains open to public enjoyment.

Thoroughly recommended.

Related Links

• LennonParkOnTheRock SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

The Lefevre Mansion, March 2014

I’ve been a huge fan of Kaya Angel’s work, and his Angel Manor has long been a favourite of mine; so when I read Quan Lavender’s post about a new build he has completed on behalf of his friend, Marcusgay Lefevre and the Lefevre family, it zapped to the top of my list of must see places.

And it is, in a word, magnificent.

The Lefevre Mansion, March 2014

The Lefevre Mansion and grounds occupy two regions, the mansion and the majority of its outbuildings sitting in a full region, and the adjoining homestead largely given over to gardens and open spaces.

The house itself is (obviously) much smaller than Angel Manor, but this doesn’t mean it is in any way lacking. If anything – and this is not a slight towards Angel Manor – the smaller size makes it somewhat more intimate and personal in feel; two essential elements for anywhere which is intended to function both as a public space and as a private residence.

The Lefevre Mansion, March 2014

There is definitely a feeling of visiting a landed estate when touring The Lefevre Mansion. Both regions are beautifully landscaped, and from the arrival point, the visitor travels past the estate’s art gallery (possibly a coach house complex converted for this purpose?), through the wrought iron gates bearing the estate’s name, and can then follow the drive into the estate, passing the bath house before turning up and round to the front of the house. Or, if you prefer, you can turn off the main drive before reaching the bath house, and cross a well-tended lawn to arrive at a reflecting pool overlooked by the grand facade of the back of the house.

Inside the house, the rooms are lavishly and beautifully appointed, and all focused on the grand ballroom. I confess to being quite in love with the library, and could happily spend hours in there, if only the books could be taken and read! When exploring, do keep in mind that many of the rooms on the upper floor are a part of the family’s private residence.

The Lefevre Mansion, March 2014

This is another build which is not so much seen as experienced; it’s not enough to simply wander around, each room deserves the time take o linger and absorb the ambience; camming needs to be done with care or some detail might be easily missed. Great use is made of baked and scripted light effects, and ALM should be enabled, as there are touches of materials to be found around the house and in the grounds which add further depth to the overall look and feel.

The Lefevre Mansion, March 2014

When you’ve finished admiring the magnificent stately home, why not hop on the teleporter near the main entrance and see what might be going on up at the Partycular Theatre, which also has a home in the region.

Highly recommended.

Related Links

• The Lefevre Mansion SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• The Lefevre Mansio website

Isla Okiddo

In November 2013, I was allowed a sneak peek at Liara Okiddo’s work-in-progress designing and developing her homestead region, Isla Okiddo. It’s been a long road for her, only reaching a point at which she was happy with everything to announce the region as officially open to the public on Wednesday February 25th.

I’ve been a fan of Liara’s work ever since coming across her old home. Garden of Eden, and to be perfectly honest, I’ve been eagerly awaiting getting to see her new place once it was ready for its public debut (I resisted the urge to hurry over prior to the opening, as I wanted to experience the same reaction as a new visitor, rather than seeing any work-in-progress).

Isla Okiddo

And I can say without a doubt that it is a marvel to behold. Already stunning when I saw the early work back in November, the island has been somewhat reworked – particularly the gallery spaces – and the results really are magnificent.  This is another of those regions I love for the attention to detail, the careful placement and design, all of which comes together to present the visitor with something completely awe-inspiring.

From the wooden quay arrival point, the visitor walks under a rocky arch and along flagged stones. Signs point the way to the dome house, the beach – reached by a wooden walkway and with the upper levels of the island beyond – and the Expodome.

Isla Okiddo

The Expodome is Liara’s gallery space. It an incredible tour de force is design and execution, a place that makes wonderful use of space both above and under water, and which presents artwork in a thoroughly creative way.

The first part of the exhibit space is underwater. Do make sure you have your graphics cranked-up as far as you can, particles enabled and Advanced Lighting Model checked to fully appreciate all that has gone into this area of the build. And don’t hurry through too fast, or you’ll miss the art items which are being displayed through the use of particle projectors alongside the footpath. Beyond this, the path winds back up above the waves and takes visitors to the three exhibition domes, each with its own display and theme.

Isla Okiddo

I spent several hours camming and exploring the island; there really is a lot of see – some of it which can be easily missed if you’re not careful, so take your time while wandering, and give yourself time to soak up the environment. You really won’t be disappointed.

Thoroughly recommended.

Related Links

• Isla Okiddo SLurl (Rated: Adult)
• From Scotland to a preview of a tropical paradise

The Pines at Jacobs Pond, End of Time, February 2014 – click any image for the full-size version

The Pines at Jacob’s Pond is a part of the End of Time estate, which I first visited in September 2012 (and which I really should get back to and re-explore). The region gained a lot of exposure over the winter period, when it was covered in snow and was featured  in a number of blogs. While I did drop-in back then, I decided to wait for the snow to melt before paying a “proper” visit.

The Pines at Jacobs Pond, End of Time, February 2014

As with most of the rest of the estate, “The Pines” is open to the public to wander and enjoy – and it is a beautiful place to visit and photograph. Central to the region is the “pond” from the name, although given its size, “lake” would perhaps be a better description! Around this sits a fabulous landscape in places heavily wooded, in others relatively open, with all of it being a haven for deer.

The Pines at Jacobs Pond, End of Time, February 2014

From the arrival point, paths wind around and through the island, offering plenty of opportunities to explore and discover photogenic views and spots as well as one or two hidden secrets.  One the far side of the island from the arrival point sits a small farm, complete with a thatched roof barn, with horses grazing nearby.

The Pines at Jacobs Pond, End of Time, February 2014

Wandering along the paths and up over the hills, the amount of care put into the region is obvious; there is a completely natural feel to the lay of the land and the various elements all roll together to present a genuinely natural environment which feels much larger than the region in which it sits. It is also a place where  not everything may reveal itself to first looks; patience and care will be rewarded the longer you explore and take the time to carefully look around.

This is one of those regions where it would be so easy to wax lyrical about, and in doing so perhaps sound like you’re over-egging it. But the fact is, it really is gorgeously done. Don’t just take my word for it, however, go see for yourself 🙂 .

The Pines at Jacobs Pond, End of Time, February 2014

Related Links

• The Pines at Jacobs Pond SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• End of time Teleport Crow SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• End of Time website