Wildcat Junction

[thundercrack83]

Beautiful village, Joan! Your attention to details is absolutely amazing! I love the Wild West town, especially. I may have to get one of those overpriced souvenirs! Take care, my friend!

[bat]

Wonderful looking pictures of this great village! Looking forward to more...

[Shadow Assassin]

Very nice pictures. I like how Pitchfork Pass is developing. It's turning out extremely well, especially in the hills.

[paroch]

Howdy Joan,

I've been checking regularly for your update - is that sad or am I hooked?

And not surprisingly it was worth the wait.  As I look at your pics I wonder how you manage to achieve the level of consistency with your lots.  Do you plop 'em all? do you zone and hope and constantly weed out what you don't want, or do you manage your plug-ins to the extent that you only have the lots you want?  OR, do you have another method?  Hope you don't mind me asking.

I love the wild west street - very nice.  The various lodges, cabins and hotels also fit in really well.  The general store is an interesting BAT, don't think I've seen it before.  And your storyline keeping Hooter involved is well constructed, love the name Hillbilly Heaven!

I don't have CAM installed myself so can't comment on your demand and develop issue - but sounds like you're getting good advice from our great community.

I look forward to hearing what Hooter has planned next.

Paul

[Schulmanator]

Yee haw!! Now that's a great update, pardner!!! 

[sobol]

Very lovely.  I love the rural feel to this mayors' diary.

[Emperor Stormont]

Well.....now why have I not seen this before, I feel so shameful now.

I have now found it and how glorious, so much care and effort, it really does show the region pics are just lovely. Highly impressive indeed.

I shall be returning much more often now 

[figui]

very nice update Joan!
nice town

mauricio.

[Jmouse]

Thanks and congratulations to...

Replies

@thundercrack83: I've wanted to use some onlyplace4's BATs for some time now and finally found an excuse!
And BTW, there's a special on key chains and postcards this week, so hurry on in.

@Stewart (stewart_garden): Better late than never, and thanks for the congrats!
Wildcat Junction is a learning experience and a place to experiment with new ideas. Most of all, however, it's a place for everyone to have fun, so if you enjoy a few chuckles mixed in with the serious stuff, come back often.

@ Pat (patfirefghtr): I would tell you you're a genius, but I wouldn't want you to get a swelled head or anything.
Anyway, the tree trick seems to be working. I've taken it a step further and discovered if one tree in that group doesn't work, another will. (Also see my answer to Paul (paroch)).
Thanks for the tip.

@ Todd (tkirch): Thanks for visiting WJ again. I, too, have about 5,000 more jobs than Sims, but R doesn't want to develop in a way I'm used to. You might want to read my answer to Paul as well.

@ Kevin (BigSlark): Well, I lived in Missouri for a year and have retired to Arkansas. But Texas has some lovely hills, too. My late uncle had an 1,800-acre cattle ranch in Meridian, Texas, about 65 miles southwest of Dallas. There are some rolling hills and lots of mesquite up that way, and of course, there's always Fredricksburg!
Thanks for stopping by, and I'm kind of wondering where it's going myself!

@bat: Thanks for your kind words. Glad to hear you liked the photos because I did them a little differently this time.
And thanks for stopping by.

@Shadow Assassin: Thank you for the encouraging words. Mountains are beautiful, but I've always liked the subtle texture hills give to a landscape.
Thank you for visiting WJ.

@Paul (paroch): Thank you for your patience, and I'm glad you came back for a visit. It's been a slow go lately because of demand and development issues.
And now for your question to which there is no clear-cut answer.
If I had to describe my primary playing style, "zone, hope and weed out" would be the most accurate. When eight Burger Kings in a row show up, seven have to go!
On the other hand, however, I plopped several I-Ms at portside to achieve a specific look. (jestarr is one of my favorite BATters.)
The farms were all plopped, partly to achieve a certain look on the slopes, but also because zoned farms wouldn't grow. I've never plopped farms before.  Next time I will start with agricultural and low-density zoning instead of leaving it to the last. Start small and end large is normally the approach I take.
I don't recall plopping any houses in the neighborhoods and normally don't.
As for managing the plugins folder, I think it would take months to sort through everything and pick out individual items. I think most of my downloads are compatible with each other, though.
And thanks for your kind words.

@Schulmanator: Thank you. BTW, did you get the photo I left for you an update or two ago?

@sobol: Guess my own love for rural areas is showing through! Thanks for stopping by and don't be a stranger.

@Emperor Stormont: So glad you stopped by. Isn't it weird how we can enjoy and appreciate each other's cities even they couldn't be more different.
Well, y'all come back, ya' hear!

@figui: Thank you, Mauricio, and thanks for stopping by.

(Editor's note: The demand/development issue appears to be under control once again, so this should speed things up quite a bit. Meanwhile, thanks to all for your patience, your visits to WJ and your encouragement.)

Until next time...
Joan

[sebes]

I see I am late again... Great update Joan! The pticures of the farms are very nice    The rocky parts in pictures 5.3 and 5.4 are my favourites... I like those better as the ones shown later, with the treetrunks.

[Pat]

HEHEHE Joan, well you know umm that i am smarter then i look lol.... I didnt even think of trying anther tree from that set to get growth as ive had succes with the one 99% of the time cept the one lot area im trying to get to grow is the scenery gardens by bixel.... Congrats to Dustin for making the 100th post... see you Joan again when you update - pat

[tooheys]

Fuddruckers, Fuddruckers, Fuddruckers, Fuddruckers, Fuddruckers, #@%#*$&#^@%. Damn, I was hoping for a free beer 

Joan, you are really doing a great job here . I luv you selection of lots and also your use of the landscape. The fact that you are so soon working on hilly terrain is a testament to your skill (whether you believe it or not  )

I use them myelf, but you seem to have a lot of fallen trees, termite problem   

Cheers

Dave

[paroch]

Hi Joan,

thanks for explaining your approach - I'm always interested to know how people achieve a certain look and feel.  As for farms not growing later in the development of a city - yep, I experience that alot as well.  In Great Portland I had hoped to put some more farms in, but BANG all demand has gone.  I'm not much of a plopper myself but guess that's what I'll have to do.

Looking forward to the next update.

[capo]

A very nice update, you truly have your own unique style of creating cities. A style I very much enjoy, you put together buildings I would never have thought to look well together, but they do! Again I must compliment you for your eye for detail. Congratulations with the 100th reply! A milestone with more to come I'm sure..

[Jmouse]

More replies

@sebes: Thanks for stopping by. And I agree, I think we're going to have to back off on the fallen trees!

@patfirefghtr: I've been doing some more experimenting with your theory and have come up with some surprising results. I'll get back to you on the subject after trying a few more tricks.
Meanwhile, thanks for paying a visit.

@tooheys: I always enjoy your visits and appreciate your kind words.
Termites are not the problem, though. This is the work of the dreaded pine bark beetle. Once these bugs get through with the wood, the termites won't eat it. They just spit it out and make an even bigger mess!

@paroch: You're welcome, Paul. I'm not normally much for plopping either, but sometimes you have to do it if you want to achieve a certain look.
It's always a pleasure to have you stop by for a visit.

@capo: Thanks for your kind words. As long as I can remember, I've been very picky about details in everything I do. Guess it's a curse(?) a person is born with! And I love experimenting with custom content and using it in surprising ways.
Glad you could stop by and I hope you'll enjoy Chapter 6.

Chapter 6: Movin' right along

*C 6-1* The most recent development has taken place south of this line.

*C 6-2* This shopping center provides jobs and buying opportunities to residents of the far-south bank.

*C 6-3* Down on the bay front, a surprising area developed at the edge of the newest commercial district.
This is the Warehouse Dinner Theatre where guests enjoy a gourmet meal followed by a one-act play. So far, not a single husband has been able to sleep through all the music and laughter.
The theatre is booked solid until April 15, but they do keep a waiting list in case of a cancellation.

*C 6-4* There are several restaurants just west of the theatre and a new Best Western Hotel.
The twin towers in the background are part of a two-for-one deal Hooter made with a contractor. Sort of a buy-one-get-one-free type of thing.

*C 6-5* This neighborhood was featured in "Americana Revisited" magazine last month.
"It so totally reflects the spirit of the American middle class," the editor said plainly.

*C 6-6* Farther to the south, homes are smaller and there are more "garden" homes with fenced back yards. Renters are responsible for planting, tending and harvesting their own gardens.

*C 6-7* This tiny chapel, bottom center, was landscaped using money raised by the Pitchfork Pass FFA (Future Farmers of America). Those plants eaten by student-raised livestock were replaced free of charge by the Bloomin' Grove Nursery.
City council members publicly thanked all participants at last Tuesday's meeting.

*C 6-8* The shopping center is busy day and night.

*C 6-9* And goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.

Until next time...
Joan

[threestooges]

A great storyline you're working with, and great pictures to match. I particularly like C6-5; something about the houses around the roundabout looks so neat. The curved streets look pretty good too (ex C6-6). I have to hand it to you too, the area is spreading out, but it still maintains its personal touches. Thanks for the link to the airstrip. Soon it will have a place near a few of my farms. In regard to your question a few updates ago, I am currently contemplating a career in international law. What area exactly, I'm not sure (though I'm looking into potential summer intern/externships). I have three years though, so there is time to decide. Take it easy, and I'll see you next update.
-Matt

[Pat]

Joan fantastic update here wow.... Hey the pleasure is all mine coming in here and reading and seeing what you have to offer.... Great job and i will see you on the next installment and i look forward to hearing your results of the testing of the nuclear waste program lol

[paroch]

Hi Joan,

Chapter 6 already - time flies eh?

I like the way Pitchfork Pass is developing.  It strikes me that you have planned this out well in advance.  I like the way you can see the main road into/through town, with the larger buildings along this road with the smaller residentials, kind of like sprwaling behind it.  And building styles are so interesting to see.  My residential estates tend to be either straight roads backing onto each other (UK suburban sprawl 1930's to 1960's) or small dead end roads with 'banjos' surrounded by some greenery and trees (UK suburban sprawl 1980's to 2000's).  Your lay out of winding streets that interconnect with each other look really good - I must give that a try sometime.  And nice to see some UK style terraced housing creeping into Pitchfork!

C6-3 - nice BAT, don't recall seeing that before and great little story line with it!  I think theaters is one building type that SC4 is a bit light on.  (This is where anyone is welcome to post linkies to theatres!).

C6-4 - the pedestrian plazas are becoming a feature of Pitchfork - which is great, gives the town a certain look and feel of its own.

C6-5 - I love this type of development.  A picture of suburban peacefulness - you've hit it just right (IMHO).

C6-7 - Great little chapel - not seen it before, and it's always nice to see something new.

How full is the square Pitchfork sits on???  I'm assuming it must be nearly full, if so, what's next?

Another great update Joan.

Paul

[bat]

Wonderful new update there! Also great pictures of that city! Congrats on more than 100 comments!

[figui]

Joan,
nice to see more development in Pitchfork Pass.
great pictures here i like how the ped plazas look like, i'll try something like that the next time i can play, you gave me some ideas for one of my cities

till next time,
mauricio.