| Summer Sims in Second Life |
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| Written by Dulcie Mills |
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(photos & text) with Snow Scarmon  While Second Life is truly a place for all seasons, there are certain sims where the summer feeling is more evident. This Simseeing reporter visited a few of these sims along with summer exhibits that are on display around SL. Information on the places visited along with Slurl's are included, as well as a listing of other beaches, islands, and tropical or summer-like destinations or displays that people may want to visit to get in that summertime mood.
For librarians and those who live or work around Info Island, the Summer Reading by the Pool Exhibit on Info Island is a good place to relax while also doing some reading. The pool area has lounge chairs, a bar, and links to summer reading lists.
Rachelville on Imagination Island has a pretty dock where you can pick up a free float that you can use to swim around the island. The SS Rachelville ship is docked at one end while a lovely gazebo with a seaside view is located at the other.
At Bundoran, a West of Ireland sim, there’s a surfing beach with shops selling surfboards, gear, and clothing, a pub, and a library.
At the University of Hawaii’s Aquaculture Program, this Simseeing reporter was given a tour by Elle Mexicola and Arcanejill Magic. Beside the exotic plants and fish on the sim, there are many summer activities now, and more being planned. Current offerings include hot air balloon rides, fishing contests, fireworks, skydiving, riding an orca whale, and exploring a luxury cruise liner that has three levels and a dance club/skydiving platform at its top.
A note card that explains the program states: “University of Hawaii at Manoa Aquaculture Program is in progress of developing an island for the online education program for the Pacific. Dr. Benny Ron (SL: Kanekai Klaber), who is the Aquaculture Coordinator, has opened up a unique social networking site, AquacultureHub in 2010, that will allow everyone who has an interest in feeding the world via aquaculture to educate, learn, share and be engaged with other people who have similar interests. If you would like to receive updates and further information on our development, please join our website @ http://www.aquaculturehub.org. What you'll see so far in our island is an aquaponics system which is located at the Olomana Gardens in Oahu, Hawaii. In the ocean, we have the Multi-trophic cages, and the summer fun activities area. We also have a skybox which is an open space/meeting area that allows University and various collaborators to work together as a partner. Also please visit University of Hawaii Second Life website
Off the Info archipelago, SL New England/Mystic and neighboring Nantucket are seaside towns reminiscent of a New England village with shops, a wharf with boats and sailing, and lecture areas for events, concerts, and classes.
“Bringing you the magic of the South Pacific,” according to its search profile, Polynesia is quite tropical with Hawaiian plants, tiki huts, statues, and a beautiful blue-green sea. Dance balls are scattered throughout the area, and lots of sea life such as sea turtles can be seen floating in the water. Hammocks and loungers are also nearby to add to the feeling of relaxing in the sun.
For a taste of the fairs and carnivals held during the warmer weather, the Virtual State Fair has many fun rides and games and is also very new user friendly with tutorials and info for those new to SL. When you arrive at the landing point, you will be at the fair office where there are teleports to several locations including the Exhibition Tent, Midway Bandstand, Gertrude’s Barn, the Virtual State Fair, and Horse Quest. There is also a conference center, a food safety game, and the Virtual County Cooperative Extension Education Center. The state
These are just a few of the many places that one can explore to get that summer feeling, but most of these are open year-round in case you want to get away in the dead of winter without paying the airfare. So relax, enjoy, and TP to a tropical destination. Your SL summer vacation is just around the corner.
Summer Reading by the Pool Exhibit, Info Island The Dock at Rachelville, Imagination Island Bundoran Surf Beach, West of Ireland University of Hawaii Aquaculture Program
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At Trident Mermaid Lagoon, part of Aero Pines Park, you can get a free mermaid or merman avatar with a swimming AO, allowing you to swim across miles of canal through several sims where you can play an underwater piano or harp and learn several exotic and group dances. The mermaid lagoon, as well as the park, is a great place to spend with a group of friends.
fair features carnival rides, a game room, and virtual hot dog, ice cream, and lemonade stands. You can ride a horse and hot air balloon, picnic by the 4H food booth, and receive lots of information via note cards and website links on topics from parenting to care giving to personal finance and many other consumer concerns from 