AC repair inPine Harbor, GA

Commuters using a popular East Auckland ferry service are being left stranded on the wharf because of full boats.

That's amid growing frustration at news that increased sailings from Pine Harbour to downtown Auckland could be months away.

Pohutukawa Coast Community Association chairman Kane Glass says overcrowding on the service at peak times will put people off.

"If we keep having people turned away at peak hours it's going to be harder to bring them back to use the service," he says.

"The idea is to have an attractive service that brings more people in."

Glass says the ferry service is important for the growing area around Beachlands, with many people working in the city and central areas.

A survey conducted by the community association last year found commuters were missing services in the morning and in the afternoon from downtown Auckland.

The majority of people wanted frequent trips, weekend services and late nights on Fridays.

The figures presented to the Franklin Local Board echoed results in an Auckland Transport survey about the service.

The results of the two surveys saw AT propose a timetable for the service.

But Beachlands resident Colin Espiner says users are being left in the dark over the proposed changes.

He says commuters haven't heard anything since consultation ended in November.

"We were told the new timetable was being implemented in early January, but we have passed that point now."

He says commuters need some reassurance as daily users pay more than $100 a week to commute.

Espiner says he's heard anecdotally the delay could be down to funding the services.

"One of the SeaLink guys put it as Auckland Transport 'wanting champagne service on a beer budget'."

The service operator, SeaLink, launched a new vessel, Clipper V, at the end of 2015 to deal with capacity issues.

But there's still concern the situation could be worse when university students return in March.

Pine Harbour Marina manager Kent Russell calls it "March Madness".

He says a shuttle bus service needs to be explored in the future, especially for visitors to the area as they have no way of getting into Beachlands from the marina.

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan says commercial discussions are ongoing between AT and SeaLink, with the aim of starting the new timetable by autumn.

OCEAN CITY, Md., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate developer and outdoor hospitality specialist Blue Water has recently expanded its partnership with Sun Outdoors with the acquisition of Tall Pines Harbor Campground in Temperanceville, Va., in November. This property, recognized as the ARVC National Park of the Year in 2018, features nearly 300 sites with a mixture of cabins, safari tents, RV sites and tent sites.

Continue Reading

"We're so excited about the addition of Tall Pines Harbor to our portfolio of campgrounds on the Delmarva Peninsula and Virginia's Eastern Shore," said Todd Burbage, Blue Water's CEO. "It's an exceptional campground with a long and rich tradition for creating family camping memories and we're excited to take it to the next level."

With water trike rentals, kayaks, horseshoes, gaga ball, and the ability to go fishing, crabbing, and bird watching, families are bound to find something they will love on vacation at Tall Pines Harbor. Guests can enjoy a splash park, pool, jumping pillow, arcade and more at this property that is open from March through November. Right on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Tall Pines Harbor offers guests the opportunity to explore nearby attractions, such as NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, the Delmarva Discovery Center and Chincoteague Island.

Tall Pines Harbor joins recent acquisitions in Texas and Florida as part of Blue Water's rapidly expanding and diverse portfolio of properties. The company is looking forward to adding even more managed properties, owned assets, and new developments to their portfolio, all while upholding the nationally recognized and respected Blue Water standard.

"We're excited about growing, but even more so about how we are growing," said Burbage. "We're adding great campgrounds in fantastic destinations. We're looking forward to adding Blue Water's signature customer service culture to these properties helping our campers and glampers create family memories that will last them a lifetime."

Learn more and book reservations at https://www.campspot.com/book/tall-pines-harbor?_ga=2.230466651.694789322.1641994643-1545441142.1641832822.

About Blue Water:Founded by Jack and Todd Burbage in 2002, Blue Water specializes in investing, developing, and managing RV resorts, campgrounds, hotels, and attractions. Blue Water's integrated approach to marketing, revenue management, and operations has quickly established itself as a hospitality industry leader. With two dozen resort-area properties in East Coast states from Maine to Florida, and west to Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas, the Blue Water family is committed to creating elite assets, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and enhancing the communities we serve. To learn more, visit BWDC.com.

About Sun Outdoors:Sun Outdoors is a leader in outdoor hospitality and committed to its mission of offering guests exceptional and transformative outdoor experiences. With over 175 locations across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, Sun Outdoors offers guests several ways to stay: from RV sites to vacation rentals, from tent camping to glamping, whether they stay for a weekend, season or longer. Visit www.sunoutdoors.com to learn more.

Sun Outdoors is a division of Sun Communities Inc., a publicly traded company which, as of September 30, 2021, owns, operates and has an interest in 584 developed manufactured home, RV and marina properties comprising over 155,900 developed sites and nearly 44,900 wet slips and dry storage spaces in 38 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Sun Communities is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: SUI. www.suncommunities.com.

SOURCE Blue Water Development

IF YOU GO

At 9,049 acres, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs is Georgia’s largest state park, occupying most of Pine Mountain in Middle Georgia.

One of FDR’s favorite places to relax and picnic was Dowdell’s Knob, the mountain’s highest point. Roosevelt first came to nearby Warm Springs in 1924 seeking therapy for his debilitating polio-like illness in the warm mineral spring water. In 1927, Roosevelt bought the 2,000-acre Warm Springs resort and turned it into a treatment center for himself and other polio victims.

He also liked nearby Pine Mountain so much he kept coming back, not only for therapy but also to escape the stress of Washington.

Today, the park is crisscrossed by an extensive trail network offering plenty of options for day hikes or overnight backpacking trips, including the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, which can be accessed at many different points as it traverses the park.

Many park structures, including the stone cottages, were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program started by Roosevelt to provide jobs during the Great Depression.

Twenty-one cabins and 109 campsites are available. A $5 parking fee is charged at all state parks.

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. 2970 Ga. 190, Pine Mountain. 706-663-4858, www.gastateparks.org /FDR.

Caption

One of Georgia’s most unusual mountains, Pine Mountain is where you wouldn’t expect a mountain to be — 80 miles southwest of Atlanta in Middle Georgia, near where the rolling piedmont region meets up with the flat, sandy coastal plain.

The 1,395-foot-high peak is the southernmost mountain in the eastern U.S. But it’s perhaps best known for being the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs. Drawn by the mountain’s great beauty and serenity, the late president often found solace there during World War II.

Pine Mountain also draws legions of botanists and geologists, who marvel over its amazing biological diversity and geology. Because of its location, the mountain is a geographical crossroads. Its variety of habitats — dry ridge tops, moist valleys, savannah-like openings, springs, perennial streams, small glades — support a mixture of mountain and coastal plain plants, and both piedmont and coastal plain animals.

The ridge tops harbor stands of longleaf pine, which gives the mountain its name. On a slope stands a small grove of American chestnuts, a remnant of the great chestnut forest that once covered the Eastern seaboard.

“On Pine Mountain, you have mountain laurel right next to titi (a shrub of the coastal plain),” said Leslie Edwards, a geosciences professor at Georgia State University. “That’s amazing.”

She is a co-editor of “Natural Communities of Georgia,” a detailed guide to Georgia’s natural environments. She recently teamed up with geologist Bill Witherspoon for a talk and a hike to explain Pine Mountain’s natural richness. I jumped at the chance to go.

Witherspoon, who teaches at Fernbank Science Center, is a co-author of the book “Roadside Geology of Georgia.” Pine Mountain, he noted, was formed mainly from Hollis quartzite, an extremely hard metamorphic rock formed when sandstone was laid down on the ocean bottom and was altered by immense heat and pressure beginning around 250 million years ago.

In the sky: The moon, now in new phase, will be a thin crescent low in the west just after dark Saturday evening, said David Dundee, Tellus Science Museum astronomer. Venus rises out of the east about two hours before dawn. Mars is in the south at sunset. Jupiter is low in the west at dusk and sets in the west about an hour later. Jupiter will appear near the moon just after dark Saturday night. Saturn is in the east at dusk.

History

The landscape that was formerly the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been transformed into what today is Georgia’s most visited recreational venue – Lake Sidney Lanier – attracting nearly 8 million visitors per year. Lake Lanier Islands Resort, a 1,100-acre lakeside resort located on the southern most tip of lake, has become one of Georgia’s most popular destinations.

Shortly after the completion of the Buford Dam in 1956 the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers leased the Lake Lanier Islands to the Georgia Department of State Parks. By 1958 the lake filled to its capacity at 1071 feet above sea level but it wasn’t until 1974 that Lake Lanier Islands began operations with attractions such as Harbor Landing, the campgrounds, stables and a beach area. PineIsle Resort and Golf Course also opened that year, run by Stouffer Hotels.

In 1987 the Beach and Waterpark expanded to include water slides and a wave pool – still the largest in the southeast. The following year Emerald Pointe Golf Club was completed. In 1989 The Lake Lanier Island Resort hotel opens; later renamed the Hilton Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

1993 saw the creation of the Magical Nights of Lights, one of the world’s largest animated light displays.

The late 1990’s saw a further expansion of the Beach & Waterpark, new docks at Harbor Landing, renovations and improvements to the Emerald Pointe Golf Club and the opening of lakehouse accommodations – thirty New England style lakeside villas.

More improvements, name changes and lease interest changes were made from the early 2000’s through 2008 when Phase I of a multi-million dollar ten year plan was completed with the opening of the new Legacy Lodge & Conference Center. Phase I also included major remodeling and improvements throughout the property and the addition of six executive villas along the lakefront. Also underway are improvements to traffic flow, bike paths and a redesign of Emerald Pointe Golf Club.

Future Plans

Conceptual ideas for future development and revitalization of Lake Lanier Islands Resort include a variety of lodging accommodations and price ranges. An upscale lodge will replace PineIsle Resort. Other accommodations being considered are a boutique hotel, harbor/beach club, small group conference hotel and family center and bed and breakfast inn. Eco-friendly transportation such as electric cars, Segways and electric and standard bicycles will be available for travel around the islands. Scenic paths, viewing stations, gardens and current roads will be created or updated to accommodate future transportation and complete the feel of the “natural sanctuary.”

Georgia Island

Currently housing Presentation Pointe and the Front Gate, Georgia Island will soon become Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s Island for the public to enjoy. Amenities to come include a family hotel and a completely new indoor/outdoor Beach & WaterPark. Leaving Georgia Island, guests will pass through the new site of the entrance gates and pass over a new gateway bridge connecting Georgia Island to Legacy Island.

Legacy Island

Plans for Legacy Island include new golf side villas, hillside cottages and a scenic chapel.

Pine Island

From golfers at PineIsle Golf Club to boaters at Harbor Landing, Pine Island is the place for the adventurers who visit the Resort. Plans for this Island also include a beach club with restaurants, swimming pools and nearby accommodations at hillside cottages, golf side villas, and luxury guest villas.

The most significant difference on Pine Island currently is the absence of the well-known PineIsle Hotel. After more than 30 years since its doors opened, the long standing hotel was torn down to make way for a new luxury four-star hotel with an opening date slated in the next two to three years.

Blue Ridge Island

Named for its superior view of the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountain range, this Island is planned for many harmonious venues.

There will be plenty of serene options of accommodations from which to choose. A quaint and cozy Bed and Breakfast Inn is in the plans and will be nestled away at the water’s edge. There are also plans for a luxurious Boutique Hotel with spa and wellness center for those looking for a tranquil getaway. Future plans also include beautiful hillside cottages, guest villas and restful retreat cabins.

The Unreal Engine has been at the forefront of rendering techniques for some time now, and Unreal Engine 5 continues the trend with a comprehensive suite of features that allow development teams of all sizes to broaden their horizons and deliver better games than before. As you might already know, Unreal Engine 5 is gaining a ton of popularity within development circles – and we are already seeing plenty of great games utilizing this tech to create worlds that are almost indistinguishable from reality. On that note, we present 15 Unreal Engine 5 games that look just like real life.

Welcome To Pine Harbor

Welcome To Pine Harbor is an upcoming survival game from a small group of developers by the name of Vision Forge Team, and it looks to be packing some punch. Set against the backdrop of the ominous town of Pine Harbor, the game is set to present a story that’s equal parts scary and immersive. While not a lot of information is available at the moment, the developers have stated that the game is inspired by the likes of Silent Hill and Resident Evil which has us excited to see what’s in store. Of course, it’s incredibly atmospheric and makes good use of Unreal Engine 5’s detailed shadows and realistic lighting tech – and we will be checking it out when it releases sometime next year.

Synduality: Echo of Ada

Published by Bandai Namco, Synduality: Echo of Ada revolves around a raging conflict between a host of parties for a resource that seems to hold great value in this futuristic world. Players find themselves at the epicenter of it all as they assume the role of a mercenary with a mech who fights to fend off these evil forces for good. The story looks to be pretty standard from what we can muster from the trailer, but the visuals look really impressive – both from a technical and an artisanal standpoint. Everything from the large draw distance to dense foliage and particle effects looks impressive thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 5. Synduality: Echo of Ada is set to release for current gen consoles and PC sometime in the near future.

The Axis Unseen

The Axis Unseen describes itself as a first person hunting game, but it also combines some mythic elements into the mix for what looks to be a fresh experience. Taking place in a gorgeous open-world comprising multiple biomes, players will hunt down creatures of varying sizes and threat levels ranging from a harmless deer to full gargantuan mythic beasts from folktales of the land. These hunts will be accompanied by a heavy metal soundtrack, so fans can expect to hear plenty of distorted guitar riffs and fast drum beats as they try to take down the biggest foes in The Axis Unseen. It will be released for PC sometime in the near future.

Next

Rooted

Rooted is yet another game that puts players in a post apocalyptic world and tasks them to use their wits and scattered resources to survive in this environment. Rooted is obviously being built using Unreal Engine 5, and it puts the tech to good use with impressive textures and lighting being highlights of the visual presentation. It’s not all just show either, since Rooted also features tons of gameplay options ranging from stealth to crafting and much more – which should keep you busy for hours on end. It will be released for PC sometime in the near future.

Layers of Fear

The beloved horror franchise makes a return with Layers of Fear, and it looks a really promising return to form. We got to see a ton of gameplay thanks to the recently released trailer, and Layers of Fear is looking like an incredibly atmospheric title that’s filled to the brim with jumpscares and horrifying set pieces. It will be released in June 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Project M

Developer NCSoft’s upcoming Project M seems to be taking a lot of inspiration from the works of Quantic Dream, but it looks really promising nevertheless. Project M will feature an action packed storyline with different characters, and you will have the option to decide the outcome of that story through quick time events and decision trees. While it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before, Project M presents it all with such a striking level of detail that it’s hard not to be impressed by it. The developer has made good use of Unreal Engine 5’s features such as Nanite, Lumen, and MetaHuman Creator – and the results speak for themselves. It releases for unconfirmed consoles sometime in the near future.

Off The Grid

Off The Grid is Gunzilla Games’ take on battle royale, and is set to combine a multiplayer experience with a single player focused PvE storyline in a seamless manner. Built using Unreal Engine 5, Off The Grid presents a beautiful rendition of a futuristic world with realistic foliage and beautiful lighting. The team is composed of developers with credits on Disco Elysium and Crysis, so it could certainly turn out to be something special. That said, details surrounding the gameplay are scant at the moment – so we will have to wait to see the game in action. It’s set to release this year for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Code: To Jin Yong

Code will focus on Wuxia arts combat, and it looks absolutely stunning to say the least. The developers have done a great job of capturing the spirit and aesthetics of an ancient world, and the fast and frenetic combat shown in the trailer is exactly what comes to mind when you think of the mightiest warriors of that time. Code: To Jin Yong is still early in its development cycle, so fans will have to wait for some time before it releases for unconfirmed platforms sometime in the near future.

Next

Lost Soul Aside

Lost Soul Aside is developer UtilZeroGames’ upcoming action adventure game which sees you battling evil forces in a futuristic environment with your talking symbiote buddy. The combat takes inspiration from the likes of modern action games, and we get a fast and frenetic combat loop where you can take down your enemies in style through a flurry of swift strikes and last second dodges. It looks really beautiful too, and we will be checking it out when it releases for PC, PS4, and PS5 sometime in the near future.

Project GRAY

Set against the backdrop of the planet of Asima, Project GRAY puts players in the shoes of a native of the planet who wages a war against technologically advanced alien invaders who have colonized this land. The project presents the vast open world with photo realistic visuals, and the combat looks really intriguing – which is particularly surprising because it’s all being helmed by a single person at the moment. But that also means that Project GRAY is still some ways from its release, and fans will have to wait for quite some time before they get their hands on this one hell of a looker.

Next

Veiled Experts

Veiled Experts is a multiplayer tactical shooter where two groups of 5 characters are pitted against each other as they try to complete their objectives of planting or defusing bombs at specific points on the map. Veiled Experts features plenty of varied characters which have their own strengths and weaknesses, and players will have to make important tactical choices in terms of character loadouts as well as moment to moment gameplay to gain an edge over their enemies in combat. It will be released for PC on June 13, 2023.

The Relic

Set in a dark fantasy universe, Project Cloud Games’ upcoming The Relic sees players battling gargantuan enemies in some really unsettling environments. The Relic will be a Soulslike game, so players can expect a consistently high level of challenge when it comes to boss fights and general progression. The combat looks really fast paced with swift enemy movement and rapid succession attacks, which should hopefully make for a fun time.

Next

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Silent Hill 2 is one of the most beloved horror games of the last couple of generations, and fans are getting a complete remake of the classic that’s currently in development at Bloober Team. It’s being built using Unreal Engine 5, and the developers have done a great job of modernizing this classic while retaining the core feel of the experience. The game will now be played from an over-the-shoulder perspective among other major changes, and that should hopefully make for a much better experience this time around. It releases for PS5 and PC sometime in the near future.