Covington - Update 61 "Chestnut Hills and South River Bend"

[thundercrack83]

Another stunning newspaper article, Jon, even if the content is tragic!

And the last update was fantastic, too!

Keep up the good work, my friend!

Dustin

[Lilojame]

Hi!

I love the news even if they are of sad nature. Hmm... I wonder... maybe and accident or maybe somebody was revenging on the owners or maybe the insurance scam or or or or...  hm... it could be that even the dead lady is to blame? Probably not, right? In any case, you don't need to keep her under control for me, I happened to like ghosties of all sorts.

Looking forward to see more!

Karin

[rooker1]

Very nice news paper article.
As for those two pictures, I just really like them.   

Robin 

[bat]

Wonderful newspaper there! Nice article and nice picture!!!

[JBSimio]

Dustin:  Thank you!

Karin:  Thanks!  There could be any number of conspiracies going on here... or it could just be the simple fact that sometimes, bad things just happens.  (I know that nobody likes to believe that anymore, but it's true even if it is unfortunate) 

Robin:  Thank you!

Bat:  Thanks my friend!

Update Time!!!

Well, I figured it was about time we went back out into the country again.  Another map, you say?  Well... fine.

25.1


We've been here before in one of the earliest updates, but just by way of review... The eastern edge of the Piedmont region starts to flatten out from the foothills to the west.  The farms, which are pretty thick around towns like Durham and Fayetteville, begin to thin out as the first ridge cuts through the area between Durham and Ashboro.  US 311 travels north and south connecting Durham with Fayetteville as well as Raliegh and Boone to the north.  Us 52 cuts through Ashboro before continuing into West Bend and High Point.  The US 220 freeway, along with it's older surface alignment, connect Ashboro with Covington and points north.  Let's start in Fayetteville this time...

25.2


Actually, faithful readers will remember that last time we were here, Fayetteville really didn't exist.  It was nothing more than a crossroads with the grain elevator along the railroad tracks.  Well, a few more businesses have grown at the corner of US 311 and North Ridge Road and the houses have followed suit.  This is still little more than a dot on the map, but growth is growth none the less.

25.3


Heading south along US 311, we'll be passing any number of farms all along the route.  Ranches are a major employer on this side of the region.  The flatter land is ideal for the many horse and cattle pastures that dot the countryside here.  Many of these horse ranches do a good boarding business for the wealthier foks in Covington who just couldn't say no to the tween daughter when she wanted a pony.  They also serve as a good tourist draw for weekend riders.

25.4


That's not to say that there are no cash crops out here.  Wheat and corn grow everywhere in the region, filling those many grain elevators scattered along the local railroads.

25.5


We've arrived in Durham now, and you can see that the local train station has been replaced here as well.  Local officials have managed to strike a deal with the railroads and there is now a small train tour that runs through the hills between here and Ashboro on the weekends.  Durham is still hoping that the extra tourist income will bolster the town's commercial districts.  The changes have been slow in coming, but there are signs that the idea may be working.  What say we check out the train tour, huh?

25.6


Leaving Durham, we see another of the areas big draws.  Vineyards and wineries are scattered throughout the region.  A passing frieght train proves that, even though the traffic has slowed down over the years, this is still definitely a working railroad.

25.7


The farms begin to thin out as the tracks take us into the hills.  Several Christmas tree farms out here are very busy this month.  Stop to pick out your tree here, and you'll be listening to the festive music in your head for ages!

25.8


Just some more farms that we can see off to the south as enjoy the ride....

25.9


As we climb higher along the ridge, the train makes a long curve to the south before curving back and approaching Ashboro.  We cross over both old and new US 220 and enter the town around it's southern edge.  But before we do, another glance off to the south near the top of the ridge shows...

25.10


Another farm?!?  Really?  I'm nearly as shocked as you are, but cattle are another key compontent to the local farming scene in the Piedmont.  There are several major meat packers, like the one in West Bend, in this area as well as a pretty significant dairy industry.

25.11


As we cross over the rail viaduct, we have a pretty good view looking out over Ashboro.  Off to the north of the railroad, you can see that the houses have begun creeping up the hills in places as the valley continues to fill up.

25.12


We wrap around the southern side of Ashboro in the final moments of our little train tour.  Many of these houses are actually older development for the town, although there are some newer homes being built here and there.

25.13


And here we are at the end of our tour.  The ever popular Slurpee can be purchased right across the street.  Or I think the Pit and Balcony theater is playing the Batman movie if you'd like to check that out again (I know I would!)  Until it's time to head back, Paul and I will be at the Scottish Inn and Pub if anyone needs me... 

Thanks for reading!!!
JB

[art128]

That update is superb Jon, awesome work on the road layout!
I see that the FAR/FARR would help you a lot with the railroad 
Arthur.

[dandan 777]

 :satisfied:Very beatiful! I especialy like how you make the small towns! They're just so quaint and in harmony with the nature I can just imagine how wonderful it would be like to live there! Now I've actually been looking at you're MD since March but I just couldn't go into the reply to the forums but I could go into the file exchange wierd huh?

[bat]

Some beautiful rural pictures there! They are looking fantastic!

[Lilojame]

This is soooo wonderful!  Really, it is! I like very much how you escort us from one gorgeous picture to another. The settlements definitely looks real to me, since it reminds me on my "home". Great update!

[allan_kuan1992]

Where can I find those rowhouses in the picture?

- Allan Kuan

[dsrwhat316]

allan_kuan1992: Those are the SHUR Brownstone Set by good ol' Jon (JBSimio)!

A fine update, Jon! I like the lively colors of the farms and the meandering roads and rails. You're making good use of your OSITM title. Take care!

~ Dan

[JBSimio]

Arthur:  Thank you!  Yes... FAR(R) would probably look better for the close up pictures... but for now, I'll just leave it as is.    Maybe I'll play with it when the time comes and think about replacing things... but I don't know.

Dandan:  Thank you!  I'm glad you were finally able to come out of "hiding!"    Welcome to Covington and I hope to see you again soon.

Bat:  Thanks so much!

Karin:  Thank you!  I guess I just enjoy being the tour guide... what can I say? 

Allan_kuan:  I'm glad you like them!  They're on the LEX... just follow the link that Dan provided...

Dan:  Thanks for stopping in again!

Well... I can't technically put the "Update" banner across the page this time, so I guess I'll have to type enough here to create some sort of separation instead.  I've updated the map of metro Covington and labeled three areas.  Now I need y'all to pick which one we're going to visit next.  I'm not really going to say much about any of these areas in advance... so just pick one and hope for the best! 



Holden Ridge is the neighborhood we haven't really seen on the south west side... we've seen bits and pieces of The Barrens on the south east, but not very much... and Celebration Square at the end of Benjamin Parkway hasn't been seen anywhere in here yet.  So please everyone join in... I'll do the math... and the next update will be whichever one gets the most requests.

Here's the latest region view... just in case you want to squint and try to figure out what you're voting for! 



Thanks for voting!!!
JB

[jmyers2043]

Stop to pick out your tree here, and you'll be listening to the festive music in your head for ages!

Ah yes, catchy little tune.    I've been keeping track and I like this journal. Should be no surprise as I dabble in rural play myself.  I'll have to find the train station in that last picture.

[bakerton]

I will go with the Barrens to show next. Question Jon, I have downloaded University of Covington from the LEX CD and all I am getting is lots without the buildings. All I am getting instead is blankness. Do you have any clue on how to fix this? I have downloaded all your prop packsand texture pack. Any help will be wonderful. PS: I got the Trenton State Hospital and I love it along with this MD. Also we have the same first name, Jon. JKB

[projectadam]

JB,

Always great to see the pictures of Covington since I am dabbling in rural areas too. Nice train rides in the last major update and I would actually like to see Celebration Square.

[bat]

Another wonderful region overview there! Your region looks really fantastic!

[art128]

Fantastic region view my friend!

[dandan 777]

  Very nice I vote Holden Ridge! I hope theres alot of historic buildings and lots of stories to go with them!

[paroch]

Hi Jon,

I really enjoyed the last update.  Rolling countryside...... trains snaking between the farms........ fields of golden corn...... quaint little residential areas........ Sounds like Covington to me.  Those picutres of the rolling fields really are something special - very nicely done.

As for the voting...... Celebration Sqaure for me - seems kinda appropriate for OSITM!!

All the best

Paul

[dandan 777]

  You know that train tour reminds Me of the Steam trains that roll occasionaly along the country side. I especialy love the British ones like the Mallard,western country class, Princess coronation and the class 01!