August

This month I am heading out and about again to find some amazing sims for you to enjoy. I think it is so important to step outside of our SL norm and discover the incredible talent and imagination of the landscape designers. These are the unsung heroes of SL who bring together all of the best from our home and garden designers to create the sims that make us say, “WOW!”

Today I am going to bring you some sims I discovered while out and about taking pics. Each of these photo-worthy spots are part of a group called The Nature Collective.

“The Nature Collective is a Second Life group created with the goal of cultivating a community around sims, spaces and projects which share a common focus on nature. It is our hope to foster a movement to help people engage and reconnect with the wonder and joy of nature, in the virtual world and beyond.”

They also have regular goings-on including a Coffee Collective, Shutterbug Club, a Rails, Trails & Sails event, as well as two yearly seasonal hunts in spring/ summer and autumn/winter.

The Rails, Trails & Sails event “takes explorers on tours by rail, on one of the many great lines traversing the grid, on horseback, bike, or foot along trails through Mainland and various The Nature Collective member locations and through SL’s amazing waterways.” I am pretty keen to sign up for this!

I was also told by Emm Vintner, the founder of TNC, that they will soon be adding another event called Trails ‘n Tails where participants will have the opportunity to hike with dogs and other pets. This is right up my alley!

Today I am taking you on a tour of just a few places that are a part of The Nature Collective. I chose them randomly but I tried to pick from the different explorer lists. I had so much fun horse riding, surfing, ziplining and just enjoying being out in SL nature!

Also, rather than me giving my layperson’s description of each place, I am sharing the actual descriptions given by the owners, but I will add my thoughts as well!

Burrow Wood County

- “Down the old dusty roads is a small town slowly forgotten place. Travelers often finding themselves in the middle of nowhere come here for the overnight stay or scenic views.” I love the slightly creepy, rundown vibe of this town. No 5 Star hotels here, just a hotel and some trailers for your accommodation needs. I almost expected there to be an old house on a hill overlooking the town…

Grauvik, Iceland

“Photogenic Adult sim and home to M-1 Art Poses main store. The sim changes often as we like to keep it fresh and inspirational to all photographers.” This is the sim that started my interest in The Nature Collective. I absolutely love this stark, windswept island and am quite keen to move into one of the houses dotted around the landscape. I wonder if anyone would notice!