dbranch

very nice suburban layouts. How do you maintain all that commercial? Do you use the demand mod?

Very nice layouts in your towns. I'm guessing all the destruction was so you could rezone? I'd really like to see some more expansion into suburbia and see how you zone for it. Where did you get those red trees? Are they ploppable or part of your terrain mod in God mode?

Wow lots of new updates since my last visit. I'm afraid I may have exceeded the time limit of one month? If so no worries. RL has claimed too much of my time here lately. I don't know when I may get the chance to update, but it looks like there are plenty of others to catch up. Sorry to hear about your storm damage MrB, my folks are in Indiana but escaped the floods. Here in Phoenix it's a beautiful sunny 112F. That's about 45C, but so far no monsoon rain. I guess it's only a couple weeks away. I just hope the power and the A/C stays on. I'll try to log on more often, and maybe get an update soon. My vacation starts in the middle of July if that's not too late.

Wow, I can access the site! Yes Lynn it is not just your connection, but admin is trying to rebuild all that was lost when the site was hacked. Aparently there was quite a loss of data and the backups must take boucoup work. <sp>? Anyway I have not been able to work on my region at all because of RL. I hope I will be able to update soon and fulfill the rules requirements, but can't say when. Hope all of you are well and keep plugging away......till next time.

Having not seen the posts I just can't imagine MrB would have said anything so offensive as to be banned. I have made some pretty edgy comments in the current events threads even and no one has said a word to me. Here in the US I think everybody is too politically correct sometimes. No one is entitled to his opinion anymore for fear of getting some group's panties in a bunch! Enough ranting, we can't wait for your return MrB! Lynn thank you for taking the reins for now. Barby, excellent pics as usual. I take it this challenge is a bit to do with industry. Not what I was expecting but nice shots from you. nsa looks fine to me. Another great use of terraforming. I love the progressive pic that is worth a couple points. raindog Wow your region has totally filled in and looks great. Glad you decided to hang in there with us! xiang some great lots you use for parks, trails and the like. I'm going to have to look for those. I have that water tower but it doesn't fit with my region I'll have to use it another time. Looks great.

newsimaddict, thanks for the comments. Yah the campground was a tight squeeze respecting the terrain and all. therewasn't much space for trees either, but got some rocks and such scattered about. The rock mod has been the topic of many comments on here and I guess I'll finally tell it. It's PEG's fantasy rock mod. I've used it for years. Made the lookout point prett y cool looking

MrB, I don't know if I can handle too many more dependancies so I'm going to hold that thought. I didn't think I had seen that on the STEX or LEX before, but thanks for your offer. I received my next challenge so I think I'll concentrate on that for the moment. This one looks like a lot of fun.

Mr B Thanks for the comments. I think my terrain mod may have something to do with the appearance of the water. Also I kept getting this sparkling effect all over my map. I called it "sprites" they were really strange. As for the links you asked for I know they are PEG lots, so I'm looking them up as I type. It won't copy the link so here's the Name: PEG MTP Scenic Views, part of the Mountain Theme Pack. I used the God Mode Pine Trees Mod too that's why the camp doesn't get much shade Those tents can be found at: PEG MTP Mountain Trails REC Pack 1. Just enter PEG Mountain in the search field. I have since got rid of the God Mode Pine TRees because they look too plastic for me. There are lots more lots in this theme. Enjoy and thanks to pegasus Your update was beautiful. I enjoyed the ponds with the grasses and I simply must have that freight station. Those pillars on the scenic bridge were a feat to build I'll bet. I've only used short flat spans with that bridge b4. BarbyW You just keep going there. I like your freeway planning and your cities have grown quite nicely. Looking forward to this myself. I love building freeways. And if collecting garbage weren't glamorous enough you've certainly done it justice.

Update #9-Conservation With all the recent expansion economically in GRV, there is growing concern over deforestation and urban sprawl. Hence the creation of Black Hills Regional Park . This area encompasses the Northern edge of GRV including Dark Corner, Black Hills, and Blackwater Canyon (tiles 2,3,and 4) from an elevation of 500 feet and above. The area will be a mixture of natural preserve, trails and a paved scenic route in Black Hills, Off of this scenic road will be High Camp, Carefree Estates and a new upscale hotel, Le Chateau Grand, as well as an "off-road" area for the brave and adventurous called Switchback Mountain. Only a few campsites will be allowed in this area and will be by reservation only as to control the amount of traffic in this area. Check-in will be necessary at the Welcome center adjacent to Le Chateau Grand and Carefree Estates. High Camp will be available on a first come, first served basis. Without the involvement of well known hotelier DK Branche this project would never have been a reality. Just a little background on Mr Branche. From a meager farmer from the Midwestern US, he always a had a flair for design and drama. Originally an engineering student, he was drawn to the design of Victorian architecture and decided to enter the world of hospitality, incorporating European flair and Midwestern hospitality. After gaining experience in the hotel and restaurant service while in college he decided to open his own Bed and Breakfast in the hill country of Arizona. Many more investments in this lucrative market gained him much attention in the industry. From there he was sought by an International hotel chain as a consultant and ended up in GRV. Pictured here is his home in the Grand Beach suburb of Grand Haven. "I designed this home with a French Provincial style in mind for its simple yet elegant lines. My Own life can be so busy I wanted a low maintenance approach to my own home, hence the simple gardens and approach to design," he was quoted as saying. Unveiled earlier this month is the fabulous new hotel he helped to build, Le Chateau Grand. Mr Branche now keeps his office here so he can maintain the standards for which he is known. Nearby, Mr Branche saw the need to construct his "home away from home" as well as some high end rental units for GRV elite who prefer a more personal experience in a quiet setting. Dubbed Carefree Estates, this new community is located in the heart of Black Hills near the Chateau and visitor center. Future expansion of this area will depend on the viability of the GRV economy, always closely monitored by Mr. Branche. Join us as we take a scenic expose through this grandiose Regional Park. I suppose the park entrance is as good a place to start as any. From the Eastern entrance we emerge from the tunnel to the first development High Camp. With its spectacular views and the breeze through the towering pines one is drawn in and allowed to forget the toils of city life and get back to the simpler pleasures. Moving West we will bypass the Chateau Grand and Carefree Estates and proceed to Lookout Point. Here motorists and hikers can park and take in the views or enjoy climbing higher on

Wow I haven't been here in a while, Mike, but I'm loving all the new shots. The ped mall tutorial was very enlightening and I love your farming shots. Sorry about the crashes but I'm no stranger to them myself. I'd like to try that No Maxis mod but I'm afraid of it. Do you use it?

How do people get to those terminals?

Does anyone know if Chase Field (originally Bank One Ballpark) in Phoenix has been batted? I'd love to find that one. Anyway beautiful work SeeMurray. Looking forward to more.

raindog I too developed much of my region b4 posting my first pics. I always played to enhance the region after much development, but as I learned in the first few posts this may not be the best. I started with very few points myself (20 I think) but soon was up to near 50 so don't be discouraged and it only gets better from here. I have increased the size of my plugins folder by over 500MB and growing. I test some of the new lots and such in another region b4 posting them here and that has worked for me. Best of luck and to quote a well know historical figure, " When you're going through Hell, keep going" If anyone knows the author of that please feel free to acknowledge him. I know the answer already. Newsimaddict I am not that "new" but still learning. No matter what games I play I always come back to this one. The batters and posters out there never cease to amaze me. As do your updates. Keep up the nice work.

If there's one thing a desert city needs it's another mall..... Phoenix is a prime example. Love it man!