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Granite Falls is known for its wild landscape, its verdant flora and its calming and rejuvenating atmosphere. It is one of the preferred destinations for mushroom hunters in early autumn, but there are many other things to do around here later in the season.

We are starting out little trip around by stopping at Grandpa' Joe's, the diner all locals swear by. A little recluse and away from more touristic spots, this is were you'll find Granite Falls' most authentic food and drinks. The diner's run by Joe and his wife Lila, who founded the restaurant before they were even grandparents! You won't be seeing Joe around much, but Lila will greet you with open arms and a mama bear attitude. She's also the one in charge of all the cooking, and you absolutely have to try her speciality, the camper's stew, made with fresh seasonal vegetables and game hunted by grandpa Joe himself! The locals here can be a bit gruff, but they'll make you their own after just a couple drinks and a game of darts (remember to drink with moderation!).

As I stopped for a hearty breakfast and engaged a jovial conversations, one of the locals recommended me his own cabin that he rents out for travellers. Located not too far from the town center, it is a small, cosy place close to all the good hiking trails. It has a small fireplace and rustic appliances in the kitchen, and can fit up to two adults in the bedroom adjacent. It is the perfect lodging for a couple looking for an adventure but not yet ready for the great outdoors.

Now, you all know me, I like a good challenge, so I obviously declined, and asked for a more... adventurous option. That's when they told me of a small campsite lost in the forest, about nine miles away from here. Only the true nature enthusiasts dared set up camp there, so I HAD to go and check it out. After a few more jokes and having refused numerous attempts at making me drink the local pine liquor (it was still morning after all!), I set out to find this mysterious campsite. What I found on the way was absolutely breathtaking. 

Vivid autumnal colours were coming to life around me as I walked through the dense forest: the yellow of birches, the red of maple trees, the orange of barberry shrubs, all splashing against the deep green of the pines. The sounds of bird calls above me was ever present, signalling the preparations for departure of the migratory types. The ground was soft with dead leaves and I could spot mushrooms, both edible and toxic, all around me. Immersed in this magical atmosphere, I soon reached my destination, and what I saw there got my adventurer's senses tingling: a small camping ground, nestled between fallen tree, was standing before me with just the simplest of amenities in view. A couple people seemed to have set camp here already, but no one was in sight.

The place proved to be the perfect hide-out and allowed me to enjoy far more of the nature around than what I could have had I stayed closer to the town center. I even managed to find a morel mushroom spot and had some for dinner that same night! (Remember, when in doubt, take your wild mushrooms to your pharmacist, they'll be able to identify them for you.)

After having spent the rest of my day walking around and enjoying the trails up and down the ravines, I prepared myself for a fresh evening in my tent, but not before taking the time to admire the incredible night sky from a clearing close-by. The area being devoid of light pollution allowed the stars to shine bright in the night and offer an extraordinary sight that seemed to have come right out of a fairy tale. With images of the glittery sky filling my head, I quickly fell asleep, enjoying a great night sleep in the fresh and quiet autumn air.

The peace was broken in the early hours of the morning by an incredibly loud noise: a stag, hidden in the forest, belling to his heart's content. I couldn't find him due to the heavy morning fog surrounding the camp, but those hoarse cries will forever stay with me. Now fully awake, I started preparing for my second and last day here in Granite Falls.

I decided to take a longer trail back to town to see a little more of the place before leaving. The one I chose was more difficult than the path I took on my way up, and I would advise on walking this one only if you have experience hiking in forest and mountain areas.

The path quickly rose up until it reach a plateau above a precipice, giving a clear view of the valley under with its wild nature seemingly never ending. After a couple hours and as the path slowly came to a soft slope, I spotted a little track on the side. Intrigued, I followed and after about ten minutes of going farther into the forest, I stumbled upon a little lake, hidden from the main trails around here. I learned later that this place was mostly used by the locals, with parents and children having set it up to enjoy the fresh water in the summer months. Right now though, the only ones enjoying the place were herons and wild ducks, taking a little dip before leaving on their journey south.

After taking a quick lunch break near the water, I set out again for the last leg of my descent. The way after the lake was the most difficult, with terrain feeling more like stairs rather than a smooth slope, and I was pretty sweaty when I finally reached town again.

It was time for me to go and leave Granite Falls, but not without stopping by Grandpa Joe's for a piece of home-made pie, a great reward after all that walking! I bid farewell to the locals and left, tired of my day but with memories I will not forget.

If you ever need more information to prepare you travel to Granite Falls, you can get in contact with the local rangers' office (all contact info can be found on their website: ganitefalls-rangers.sim.gov). You can also pay them a visit when you arrive in town, they will give you advice on what trails are best for your abilities and give you other recommendations for your stay there.

Have a nice one, and see you next time!

Malik Hafeez, adventurer extraordinaire, quickly rose to fame on simcial media for his travel logs and breathtaking photographs. In addition to his simfluenceur life, he now works as a journalist with SimTalk monthly in the hopes of sharing his love for travelling with a wider range of sims.

Granite Getaway by @lilacmarble​ (on the gallery)

Life is Strange 2 Wood by @alerionjkeee​

Hidden Lake by @nocturne-vi​

Monello Grounds by @pxltown​

Malik Hafeez by @auroragoth​

All pictures by @auroragoth​

Thank you, Attica, for accepting to meet with us for this interview! It’s already been a month since Dragula’s last episode aired on mangosimoothie.tv. How did it feel to run your own show? What memories will stay with you from this experience?

A pleasure my dear, truly. Dragula was an experience unlike any other. I would love to say every moment of Dragula will live on in my mind forever, which is true, but the one I will cherish the most would be the first moment the monsters set foot in my lair. Seeing them all together, so full of hope…and fear. As for how it felt to run my own show: appropriate is the first thing that comes to mind. Attica has been gaining so much power and prominence in the queer underground of Forgotten Hollow and beyond, as well as power and prominence in my life. It was only a matter of time, really.

The Bachelorette, Dragula… Any plans for more for reality TV? Or in the entertainment industry in general?

Well, no dating shows, of course. I would love to see Dragula live on, whether through myself or another host. As for entertainment, while I’m not one to covet the spotlight- [Ryan laughing off screen] Oh, hush! As I was saying - fame and notoriety mean very little to me, but sharing my art as well as the art of others with the world was truly a gift, and I hope to continue doing that in whatever avenue comes along.

Are you still in contact with your monsters? How are they doing these days?

I do tend to check in on them from afar every now and again. I am not surprised in the slightest how well Tricia the Terrible wears the Dragula crown. I’m also happy to see that Grave- oh, it’s Gussy Glitter now- was able to turn things around so quickly. Shockubus is alive, which is wonderful. Eden continues to share their immense talent with the world, I feel Willow’s presence lurking around the Dragula Lair every so often – she seems happy, I hear Bafemmet has begun to study the arcane arts, and Pepto Dismal…well, Pepto is working with children now which to me is a shame but she looks very happy, so. Good fortune all around, I suppose.

Talking of young drag queens… Tell us, how did the legend that is Attica Riot came to be? How has it all started?

Oh my, a storied tale indeed. As I mentioned on the show, the scandalous and queer have always fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Around the 19th century - Victorian era England is where my foray into female performance formally began. It was theatre and burlesque acts in vampire clubs - vampires have always been more progressive in these areas than mortals. I found it liberating. Among the Winthorpe clan I’ve always been pegged as the Good Vampire, and vampire high society is so dreadfully stuffy. Attica, however, is rather vile and thrilling. Then came the 20th century. It’s a bit of a blur, but I spent a great majority of the 1920s in drag. It was then that Attica (and yes, that’s always been the name. “Riot” was added in the 1980s) became less of a character and more of an identity for me. I, Attica Riot, am a celebratory weapon and act of defiance in the name of all there is to love about the occult and queer.

Any advice for the young queens out there who look up to you?

Don’t. If you want to succeed you mustn’t look up at anyone. You should look straight on, eye to eye, at yourself in the mirror…or at a portrait of yourself if you don’t have a reflection.

We’ve mentioned The Bachelorette earlier… You and Ryan met on the show, and we’ve seen him make an appearance on Dragula. How are things going between you two?

O, light of my eternal life. My ambrosian canapé and I are doing better than ever. As you may know, I turned him about a year into our affair and he simply becomes more powerful by the night. I’m very proud of the progress he’s made in mastering his powers. And the Winthorpe clan just absolutely loves him…well, except for my sister but she’s not much of a fan of anyone. As we both become more powerful, so too does our love for and devotion to one another.

Has living in the public’s eye affected your relationship in any way?

It goes without saying that he is the introvert of the two of us. I had to just about beg him to be a guest host…well “beg” isn’t the right word; I demanded it, but it was still quite tiresome. I don’t think it’s caused any real strain, however. He’s very good at dissuading press and photographers, to the point where I suspect he’s on a sort of “no fly” list for such things. On the other hand, I can tell it brings him a sense of satisfaction to see ME revel in it all. Why, even now, sitting just out of frame with that enthralled, doe-eyed yet feral expression on his face…yes, I think I can speak for him and say being in the “public eye” is not all that bad when he has Attica Riot on his arm. Isn’t that right, my sweet pet?

Winter is fast approaching, do you two lovebirds have plans for the end of year holidays?

Holidays? Oh, you must mean the Winter Solstice. Well, we’ll of course be attending Vladislaus’s annual Winter gala. Other than that, after all the excitement of Ardor’s grand re-opening and of course Dragula, what we’re really hoping to do is to go off the grid to a remote, idyllic location and enjoy only each other’s company for a few months.

Do you have suggestions for the romantics who would like to woo their partners this season? Some date spots you would recommend?

Hopeless romantic that I am, I’ll admit that I just adore the cosy intimacy of Winter. Take some time to huddle up with your love without the distraction of the outside world. Gaze longingly at them by the fire. Memorize the ridges of their hands. If you’re feeding on them, do so languidly yet desperately - as though they were your last meal.

Thank you again for today, do you have any last words for our readers?

And thank you for having me. I mean that sincerely. I really do love speaking with you all about these rousing times – I wouldn’t be here did I not. I suppose that’s the message I want to leave you with; Eternal life is too long and mortal life too short to spend doing anything else than the things you absolutely love.

Attica Riot / Atticus Winthorpe & Ryan Kato by @mangosimoothie​ | Pictures by @mangosimoothie​

Q&A by @auroragoth​ and @mangosimoothie​

Where to read: The Bachelorette | Dragula