Cascadia: A Light in the Pacific (Mar. 1, 2012)

[Kevin1a]

Fantastic job on the waterfront this time.  I think I see a hotel down there, some parks, and the new water mod looks good, even though it's almost a primary colour 

I have to agree with Utvaw though about the turning lane on the hill.  There is nowhere for people to turn there, and it wasn't really the lane itself that looked out of place, mostly the arrows.  I think the best way to address that little quirk would be to make it an AVE2 or perhaps just a simple road.

The flag looks good too.  Maybe you can get someone to screenprint you a copy you can hang outside your house.

I think I'm gonna post an update to my MD tonight, it's been a long time, if you get a chance check it out.

[kwakelaar]

Really nice work on both the history part (blowing up the White House....no half measures taken here ), and your collections of images.

[Nego]

Excellent update! All of the images were fantastic and I loved reading the history (accept maybe the part where the White House got blown up ). But other than that, you had a great update. I will definitely be making a stop to your new website very soon!

Can't wait for the next!

[marsh]

Just amazing photoshopping Jordan. It all looks fantastic. Am I the only one who noticed the reflections in the water? 

,marsh 

[MattyFo]

Great update Jordan.  You sure did alot of good work to get this region looking sooo good!!!!

- Matt

[Haljackey]

Photoshop freak. Excellent effects CJ!

But what's with the TLA-3 on the waterfront slope? Looks a little out of place IMO.

[djvandrake]

Great update!  Really impressive! 

[kodlovag]

Very nice update. If I would have your photoshopping skills...

[cubby420]

Great stuff Jordan! Your PS skills really do make me envious 

[canyonjumper]

Terring: Thanks Terring! http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=22358

nbvc: Thanks very much!

Utvaw: Thanks! Yeah, I thought the same thing after you pointed it out. I don't really know why I did that. AVE-2 looks better.

MR. Y: Sorry for confusing you. This is a hybrid city with a Euro section of town.

Tomas: Thank you very much my friend

Kevin: Haha, thanks alot Kevin! Yes, that is a hotel down there The water mod is still in transition, but you won't see it in this update. And the TLA-3 is now an AVE-2

Gjermund: lol, thanks Sorry if I offended any Americans, but someone had to blow up that place

Nego: lol, I don't think any American did Thanks for popping in

Marshall: Probably But then again it was you who told me which effect to use

Matt: Thanks! I certainly tried hard

Ryan: lol there's nothing freaky about me TLA now is an AVE-2

DJ: Thanks alot!

Kodlovag: lol, thanks

cubby: Thank you! I try hard to make my stuff look nice

Well, I'm back with another installment of Cascadia! This time we return to rurality, with the pleasant countryside of Balch Springs (name chosen by Towncrafter (on CSGforums), who cracked the code I posted awhile ago). I could ramble on about how my life is, but you guys don't really care seeing as I'm thousands of kilometres away from many of you, so I'm just gonna show you guys the pics right now As always, click on the image for a larger version.

34-01
Welcome to Balch Springs! To start off our tour of this picturesque locale, we have a mosaic, from the point where the Jarhey River goes over the edge of the Earth, to where the current expanses of this tile are. Featured in the mosaic is the Balch Springs Provincial Campground, one of the first campgrounds with a dock established in Stikine, and Jarhey Lake, a lake known for it's rainbow trout population.

34-02
Here we have the pleasant hamlet of Duncan, named for the founder, James Duncan (1804 - 1845). Baker Creek cuts right through the residences, and the kids in the area love to cool down in the creek during the summer months.

34-03
Some of the scenery around Duncan. Hidden ponds make great watering holes for resident wildlife.

34-04
Baker Creek winds past the charming residence of Glenda Hawkins, a diligent author who uses the peace and quiet of the Stikine Region to write a successful series of books.

34-05
Balch Springs Provincial Park, Jarhey Lake Campground. Very popular in the summer, this campground boasts 26 campsites, out of 56 total. Kids love to float on Jarhey Lake's calm waters. When kids have had enough on the lake, they can chill in the camp clubhouse, which is equipped with arcade games, air hockey, and a small cinema.

34-06
Baker Creek splits off from the Jarhey River. Regional highway 34 crosses the river, and the Hot Springs Trail winds through the area. Kayakers love the fast-flowing waters, as it provides a bit of a challenge.

34-07
Christon family cabin. Owned and maintained by Harley Christon, this cabin is one of the best in the area. Every weekend, the Christon family piles into their vehicles, and takes the 1.5 hour journey to their cabin. The kids stay in tents in the backyard on nice days, while the adults stay in the main house, talking and drinking 'til the wee hours on Saturdays, and then recovering from their horrible hangovers on Sunday.

November 11, 2011: Known as Veteran's Day in the US, and Remembrance Day in Canada and Cascadia, November 11 is a day when Cascadians pay respects to those who have died serving their country. Cascadian soldiers served in the Vietnam War, and the First and Second Gulf Wars. As of 11/11/11, 3 572 soldiers are deployed in various parts of the world, on peacekeeping duties. The poem 'In Flanders Fields' is often read aloud today.

'In Flanders Fields'

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

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Thanks for reading, and don't forget to take a minute today (or tomorrow) to remember those who have passed on defending their country.

                           Your friend,
                                            Jordan

[RickD]

Great work. In my opinion this is the best stream kit available and you used it very well.

[djvandrake]

^^^ I'd have to agree.  Your waterfronts always look so nice that you've set the bar high, but you've just raised it. 

[Jayster]

I just love the camp ground! Keep up the great work! 

Jayster

[Tomas Neto]

Wow..., fantastic river and city!!! Awesome update my friend!!! 

[cubby420]

Whoa Jordan...I'm just putting this out there...I am so gonna steal some ideas from this update 

RickD hit the nail on the head. This stream kit is, in a word, awesome. Very flexible with a lot of diversity mixed in.

Great stuff Jordan! I can't wait to see more!

[marsh]

Very nice work on the nature. I like the photoshopping in the last picture. It has a strange (but nice) look.

,marsh 

[Kevin1a]

I'm a transportation guy, but I think you've got me a little interested in scenery.  It looks very much like the kind of place I would like to go fishing for a weekend or float around on my air mattress drinking beer (don't worry, I'll recycle)  Are there any good Cascadian microbrews?

And since I am a transportation guy, I can't leave without complimenting your use of RHW2, it looks very genuine.  I noticed you even set up the passing lines nicely instead of leaving a double yellow as my local traffic engineers would (unfortunately) do.

[penguin007]

Lovely update I love the curvy roads and the little creek looks perfectly tranquil

Will

[scott1964]

Nice update 

[metasmurf]

I like that you switched from RHW2 to normal road when the village starts. Nice road scenery too.