Wildcat Junction

[Schulmanator]

More great stuff!  And I like the RL pix - very fall-like (my fave season). 
Let's meet up in the snack aisle. I am on a quest for Salsa Doritos!   

[tooheys]

Hey Capo, didn't the Village People sing that They did have an Indian and a Cowboy

Oh yeah , forgot why I was here. Joan that's a beautiful overview. Your work just gets better and better.  I
really like C 6a-2, nice work with the coastline 

That's a decent sized region you have there, plenty of undeveloped space, hope you stick with it (where have I heard that before ).

Cheers

Dave

[Jmouse]

Replies:

@All: I'm glad to know many of you enjoyed the "RearView Mirror" feature. As far as I know, it's a unique idea which you'll see again from time to time, especially when a large and/or complex city is in play.
I follow several MDs and often find myself wondering why the author did this or that, what they wish they'd done differently, etc.
Also I want RVM will be a forum which encourages reader comments on likes and dislikes.
Anyway...

Let's get on with the replies for real now!

@Emperor Stormont: Thanks for your kind words, and I'm glad to hear you enjoy your visits in The Junction.

@mauricio (figui): I've already added a minor touch to P.P. in order to achieve the region view I want. It isn't quite ready for prime time, but will be soon, I promise.
Thanks for stopping by.

@Matt (threestooges): Glad you liked the RVM feature. I enjoyed creating it. I tried to use at least one photo from each chapter, and going back was a real trip! I'd be willing to bet most authors don't remember what's on page 1 by the time they get to page 7!
My cousin and her husband (who is not in the best of health) are just fine and their home was spared. Thank you for asking. We did have a cool front move through yesterday, but I have a generous supply of sweaters and fleece pants, so I'm ready for anything!

@Shadow Assassin: We will, indeed be moving across those little hills and down into the valley.
Creating an MD has been an enlightening experience to say the least! I can recall hundreds of excuses I could have used to demolish P.P. But each time I was tempted, I remembered Dave's (tooheys) words. In essence, he told me that when you do an MD, you learn to solve your problems, not blow them up.
How true!

@bat: Thanks for stopping by, and I appreciate the compliment!

@Paul (paroch): Don't worry, P.P. is just on hold and not gone forever. And you haven't seen the last of Hooter either! There are only four mayors in Wildcat Junction, and they don't pay much attention to Maxis boundaries.
You will meet the other three eventually and discover they're as different as any four characters could be.
I always love it when I see a paroch e-mail in the inbox!

@Pat (patfirefghtr): Glad to hear you enjoy your visits to WJ. I enjoy them, too!

@nedalezz: I've never traveled farther north than Denver, Colorado (Pikes Peak) and I spent a day there when I was 13. I lived in south-central Missouri for a couple of years, but the northeastern states are almost like a different country so I've heard.
Nevertheless, if W.J. brings back memories of your visits to the U.S., maybe I'm doing something right!

@capo: Thanks for the kind words. And you're right, about the details, but they're both a blessing and a curse. As an MD author, I know I spend too much time on details nobody but me will ever see, but it's gotta' be my way or the highway!
The Petshop Boys' song is right on target, too. I like it.

@tkirch: I'm glad you liked the RVM feature. You can expect to see it again from time to time, but it will take you by surprise!

@Ennedi: And it's a pleasure to see you back for another visit to W.J.
You are right about the "heart" I put into my updates, although I didn't think of it that way before. Still, if it doesn't suit me, it doesn't get published.
Hope you like the next update even though the complete area will take a bit more time.

@Schulmanator: Thank you m'dear, and I enjoyed the basket of fresh fruit they gave me at the Gilded Banana.
Did you know they have some banana-flavored snack crackers on the shelf at Wal-Mart now? OK, I don't like 'em either, but there are some terrific banana-nut marshmallow-filled cookies out there that are divine.
**Gains 10 pounds just thinking about it!**

@tooheys: Thank you for the kind words, but good, bad or ugly, it's all your fault – you taught me everything I know!
There are four playable large-size quads in W.J. with three along the coastline, so there will be plenty of opportunities to experiment with new ideas. And as you meet the other three mayors, you'll find they have very different development priorities.
Thanks for stopping by, and don't worry. We have only just begun!

Chapter 7: Movin' west!

^ C 7-1: Hooter and I had a knock-down, drag-out shouting match a dignified and professional discussion about whether or not to publish this overview.
I was able to convince him, however, that some of our readers enjoy seeing areas develop from start to finish.
The Editor rules!

^ C 7-map: We'll be working with four new cities to fill out the area south of the Pitchfork River. In RL, Norman Hill, Mustang, Coon Creek and Meridian are located in Bosque County, about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Dallas. My late aunt and uncle owned an 1,800-acre cattle ranch in the area, and the time I spent there ranks among my fondest childhood memories.
The countryside boasts beautiful rolling hills covered with cedar, pine and oak trees.

^ C 7-2: Norman Hill is a tiny farming community with most of the homes spread across the hills.

^C 7-3: Here's another look at the residential area showing the rocky landscape.

^C 7-4: This was a good year for corn and pole beans, but the wheat crop was a little ragged.

^C 7-5: The elementary school, top center, has a student body of 167.

^C 7-6: The Norman Hill Independent School District operates on a limited budget, but voters approved a bond issue last month for construction of a new high school.
The issue passed after the school board agreed to let upper-school students study oil-well drilling techniques. Most of them get enough agricultural training at home anyway.

^C 7-7: The Norman Hill General Hospital was built in the late 1950s. Then a new entry area was designed by one of the doctors three years ago. He's sort of a weekend landscaper – the rest of the time he's an optometrist.

^C 7-8: This little red church sits atop a steep bluff. Look closely and you can see members walking across the trail headed for the sanctuary.

^C 7-9: Several members are returning for evening worship services.
Hope you have a good evening wherever you are

Until next time...
Joan

[paroch]

Lookin' good Joan.  I was literally about to go and get some zzzzz's and saw you'd posted so couldn't resist a peak.

A more detailed response to follow - but needless to say I LIKE IT!!!!

Paul

[figui]

wow Joan, Norman Hill looks really nice. must have been very difficult to build on such slopes. the red church looks nice also

mauricio.

[nedalezz]

C7-8 and C7-9 made my day! Those are some really nice shots. I also like what you've done with an otherwise headache-inducing terrain; you've gone ahead and made it some of the best steep developments I have seen in SC. You are definitely talented in that department; I cant work with steep terrain for the life of me.

Great update, Joan, you really are a natural at this, and the story is fantastic!

[tkirch]

Another fantastic update.  I love the little red church and the path.

The houses on the hills look great and everything fits in so well.  Just great update Joan.

[tooheys]

Joan, the first two suburban shots are just great, the way you have used the terrain, the cliff faces and landscape, hard to fault 

Now I have to ask, where did you find those beautiful little churches you show, a very nice touch 

@tooheys: Thank you for the kind words, but good, bad or ugly, it's all your fault – you taught me everything I know!

Well I'll accept full responsibility but I can tell you one thing Joan, I'm certainly learning a few things by dropping in here.

Cheers

Dave

[bat]

Great pictures of that new area! Wonderful work on that hill, also on the farms!

[capo]

@capo: Thanks for the kind words. And you're right, about the details, but they're both a blessing and a curse. As an MD author, I know I spend too much time on details nobody but me will ever see, but it's gotta' be my way or the highway!

I know how you feel, a very long time ago I read a CJ on ST (I think), in there was one lesson I never forgot: First think of how you want it, then built it..and most important: when you don't like it : blam, remove and start all over. Sometimes it hard when you consider how much work has gotten into it, but in the end you know it was all worth it. When I see the pics you posted I can only imagine how many things were first removed to get to this end result.

About your update:
I'm glad that you and Hooter settled your differences through a dignified and professional discussion. I'm glad you convinced him because it's really good to see the overview of this region....oh I can only imagine how it will all look like when the whole region is filled up Your pictures are just stunning, I'm really lost for words. I don't think there is one thing in those pictures that doesn't belong there. Well...perhaps the crane wich looks a bit odd in my opinion, can't tell you exactly why. Your farm pics show a nice spread and variation of colour. The relaxed atmosphere in an average farming community really shows off in the pictures as well.

Great work!

[Pat]

Joan wonderful job here my friend, yet anther fantastic update here!!! See you soon and on to the next update - pat

[Jmouse]

@Dave (tooheys): You can find the little red church by daytrpr here: Linkie
And while you're in the neighborhood, just use the keyword "church" and you'll find a bunch more. Simgoober has posted several really nice ones.
More replies coming up soon.

Until next time...
Joan

[Shadow Assassin]

The most obvious thing I can see here is how well you've hidden the vast majority of retaining walls by using trees and a clever use of perspective. Good job, and keep it up.

[paroch]

Hi Joan,

Ok, I've had time to have a proper look now.  The overview is really good.  I ;ile to see how things are developing and that shows us really well. 

The rock mod works really nicely and gives Norman Hill its own unique feel.  Certainly I can tell its no longer Pitchfork Pass, which I'm guessing is what you wanted to achieve.

The farms are nice and I like the dirt roads.  I don't have any of those - maybe I should some time - so a little linkie would be kind .

Someone mentioned the crane doesn't fit and I agree - but surely that's the whole point I guess.  You're showing us the development and a big blue crane just looks ugly in sich nice rural setting - but in real life they need big ugly blue cranes.  So on balance I think it's good you included it.

In C7-7 I like both the art deco style hospital (I'd have guessed 1930's) and also the yellow and blue buildings n the left of the pic - are they resi or comm?

And of course the little red churchis to die for.  Would look silly in an urban setting but in Normal Hill it is perfect.

Top job Joan

Paul

[FrankU]

I just read the whole story from page one.
Beautiful!
I love the way you succeed to overcome the grid problem. Still a lot to learn for me.
I usually tend to be impatient and want my areas to develop. So no hours of laying down streets and roads....
You spend a lot of time on micro management of your areas. And it's worth every minute of it.

[threestooges]

I'm glad they got out alright and that they had a house to return to. Glad to hear that you are prepared for the elements as well. I like the first picture: the way to cliffs just blend into the landscape, and the house blend into the cliffs (hope landslides aren't a problem...). I like the elementary school you've put together. The playground looks really realistic. The high school looks like it'll be a fair sized structure, and the oil fields should provide a "golden" opportunity for the students. Nice job with the optometrist thing as well... the roundabouts really make that work. It's little details like these (not forgetting the church as well) that really make this MD stand out. Hope all is well.

[Jmouse]

Replies

@ Paul (paroch): Hope you were able to get enough sleep. I never did when I was working, raising a family and doing all that other stuff you have to do before you retire!
And I'm glad you like Norman Hill.

@ Mauricio (figui): The slopes were a bit challenging, but there are a few tricks you can use to make things a bit easier without a lot of tiresome terraforming. And I love that pretty little church too.

@nedalezz: I'm so glad you liked the little red church. The moment I saw it, I knew it needed a special place in rural W.J.
And thanks for the compliment. I enjoy working on steep terrain within reason, but sometimes it gets frustrating.
As for the story, I guess it's a little like writing a book. You actually get acquainted with your characters in a surreal sort of way, but I'll bet you already knew that!

@tkirch: Thank you. In the past I've never used small quads for anything but I-D and garbage dumps which is pretty unrealistic. But this time I enjoyed the experience of making Norman Hill into a nice little country town.

@Dave (tooheys): Thank you, Dave. As for learning anything from me, it's hard to believe that's possible, but if it's so, it would please me to no end! 

@bat: Thank you, and thanks for stopping by.

@capo: Not long after I registered at SC4D, I read a post by jeronij (if memory serves me correctly) which contained much the same kind of message – if it isn't right, it won't work so don't hesitate to get rid of it and try again.
I don't know that he meant we should destroy the whole city and start over and over and over again, but I've taken that radical approach too often in the past.  Hosting an MD is forcing me to keep my hand off the detonator's handle, though, and I now realize that's the only way I'll ever learn more! Also, I back up the region every day before I start work on it so I can go back in time if I need to.
And you're right about the crane. I don't much care for it either (we need one that's a bit more weathered) but I was racing the clock. I wanted to get the update done before the business of Thanksgiving got too busy!
I'm so glad you're enjoying your visits to W.J., and I thank you for your kind words.

@Pat (Pat): You're the one who got me into this MD mess, and now all you can do is nag about the next update!
Still, I'm always pleased to see you (for some reason! ), I'm glad you like the work and I thank you for being a loyal supporter.

@Shadow Assassin: Thank you. Plopable trees are wonderful, aren't they! 

@Paul (paroch): You are right, I did make a change after reading through Ennedi's terrain tutorial, and I like it much better. I was using gray marble rock before.
You are not alone in your opinion of that crane, and I'll be looking for something with more eye appeal.
The hospital was designed to look like the one where Hooter was born, and the original version was built around 1926. The 1950s replica in Norman Hill does have more modern facilities, though, and has now been upgraded to handle computerized equipment.
The buildings you mentioned are called Province House Credit Union by spa (CS and CO  $$$ versions included) and can be found here:
Linkie
I'm still working on an answer to your other question and will PM.
So glad you stopped by again, my friend.

@FrankU: Welcome to Wildcat Junction. I thought I was the only one who had read every word!
As for The Big "Grid/Anti-Grid" Debate, there are plenty of examples in the MDs on SC4D showing that both approaches can be used with great success.
Thanks for stopping by, and please don't be a stranger, y'all!

@threestooges: Hey, good to see you back!
I know where you're comin' from, but it'll be OK, we don't get many rockslides in Texas.
And congratulations, you're the only one who mentioned the optometry connection. It wasn't what I had in mind, but suddenly there it was so I rode the wave.
And since you have such a keen eye, I hope you'll enjoy this mini-update.

Bonus update

Keeping up with Hooter's development agenda this week has me feeling like a bullfrog that can't find her lily pad.
Currently we're working with three active cities in Bosque County to create a seamless regional transition. One day we're in Norman Hill, the next we're walking the sticky new streets in Mustang and by early afternoon we're back in Pitchfork Pass.

^Bn-2 1: Hooter has decided to develop a little more land in Pitchfork Pass, and he sold this chunk of real estate to a local builder.
The house is almost finished, and it looks like several sub-contractors are meeting with the builder in the front yard.
It was the afternoon shadows that got my attention, though, especially those cast by the fences.

^Bn-2 2: Just to the northwest, a new Bed & Breakfast is already booked up into next year.
But once again, it was the shadows that caught my eye, especially the one of the fence across the rocky slope on the right side. I've never seen anything like it before.

The high school in Norman Hill is finished, but Mustang isn't quite ready for prime time yet.
Soon, however, very soon!

Until next time...
Joan

[bat]

Great bonus update there! Also very nice two new pictures!

[figui]

two great pictures for a great bonus update
i agree: the shadows in those pics are real "eye catchers" (i really don't know how to say that )
(btw: who's fences are that?)

mauricio.

[paroch]

Hey Joan,

A verynice "bonus" update there.  And you are spot on about those shadows - they look awesome.  I think you know I'm having a few shadow issues at the moment, so you know I'm gonna ask what settings you are using on the graphic options.

And I agree with figui - where can I get those fences???

Great work Joan, your MD is going from strength to strength.

Paul