The Hills of Andelain; its real world counterpart

[hue of fuzzpaws]

What area of America closely matches SRD physical description of the Andelain hills?

[soft one]

Like this, but with greener grass...

Wind Cave National Park

[Menolly]

I like that, Soft One. I can see why that says "Andelain" to you.
But, I agree with danlo, and the hills of Valles Caldera outside Jemez, New Mexico (I think that's right) says "Andelain" to me. These photos of the caldera, taken by our own wayfriend at the 2007 elohomfest in New Mexico, shows why.



Like yours, I think it could be greener...

[Akasri]

My back yard... I hold the "Celebration of Spring" there every year. My wife and I dance around on fire while the neighbor's dogs try to bite us.



Actually, there was a place near where I grew up (SE Kansas) that popped into my mind when I first read LFB all those years ago. I spent some time there on a Boy Scout hike once. Very beautiful meadow with some trees and rolling hills - not nearly big enough to be Andelain, but when I first read LFB I pictured this place in my head

[CovenantJr]

In the US? Nowhere I've seen. I see Andelain as more in the vein of this type of landscape:






...but then, that's the type of landscape I'm familiar with.

[wayfriend]

[Wheelwash Whitecap]

Wayfriend,

Your top pic is Andelian for sure.

[Savor Dam]

Wayfriend,

Your top pic is Andelian for sure.

The bottom photo is a good representation too...apart from the two pole-mounted signalboxes on the far side of the berm.

These are definitely closer to my vision of Andelain than the Valles Caldera favored by danlo and Menolly...though I applaud having them agree on a choice. The caldera seems too stark to my eyes, even allowing for the suggestion of "like this, but greener." While Andelain is not fully forested and does have meadow-y areas, it is definitely more wooded than those open plains.

[CovenantJr]

I think the second of Wayfriend's pictures is quite a good choice.

[dlbpharmd]

Like this, but with greener grass...

Wind Cave National Park

This is the way that I picture it....grasslands with scattered Gilden.

[deer of the dawn]

Yes, but the requirement for greenness makes it necessary to look to the northeastern US, or to Ireland (where WF's pics were taken, I believe).

While Nigeria is brown and scruffy much of the year, about the second month of rainy season, there are places that would definitely work.

[Menolly]

These are definitely closer to my vision of Andelain than the Valles Caldera favored by danlo and Menolly...though I applaud having them agree on a choice. The caldera seems too stark to my eyes, even allowing for the suggestion of "like this, but greener." While Andelain is not fully forested and does have meadow-y areas, it is definitely more wooded than those open plains.

I think what I like about the caldera is the softness, gentleness and rolling of the hills along the edges of the plain, and I picture the plain as where the wraiths danced for Covenant and Atiaran. soft one's choice has the gentle rolling of the hills as well, although I would prefer a few more trees.

[wayfriend]

These are definitely closer to my vision of Andelain than the Valles Caldera favored by danlo and Menolly...though I applaud having them agree on a choice. The caldera seems too stark to my eyes, even allowing for the suggestion of "like this, but greener." While Andelain is not fully forested and does have meadow-y areas, it is definitely more wooded than those open plains.

I think what I like about the caldera is the softness, gentleness and rolling of the hills along the edges of the plain, and I picture the plain as where the wraiths danced for Covenant and Atiaran. soft one's choice has the gentle rolling of the hills as well, although I would prefer a few more trees.

One thing to know about the Caldera.

To visit it, you leave Albequerque, and drive through the desert of New Mexico. You cross a trickle that is the Rio Grande. As you continue to drive, arid rocky bluffs rise about you. Soon you are in a desert canyon, painted with horizontal stripes of layered stone. Eventually, you start to climb, high into an upland plateau. And then, you go over a hill, and ...

Suddenly you are in this emerald green, dewey, forested place. Cattle munch in the verdant pastures. From the edge of the bowl, the Caldera opens wide before you, lush and vibrant.

What else would a bunch of Covenant geeks call it upon arriving? After crossing the desert, it feels like Andelain.

[Demondime-a-dozen-spawn]

Andelain is right across the St. Croix River from me in Western Wisconsin.

[Menolly]

These are definitely closer to my vision of Andelain than the Valles Caldera favored by danlo and Menolly...though I applaud having them agree on a choice. The caldera seems too stark to my eyes, even allowing for the suggestion of "like this, but greener." While Andelain is not fully forested and does have meadow-y areas, it is definitely more wooded than those open plains.

I think what I like about the caldera is the softness, gentleness and rolling of the hills along the edges of the plain, and I picture the plain as where the wraiths danced for Covenant and Atiaran. soft one's choice has the gentle rolling of the hills as well, although I would prefer a few more trees.

One thing to know about the Caldera.

To visit it, you leave Albequerque, and drive through the desert of New Mexico. You cross a trickle that is the Rio Grande. As you continue to drive, arid rocky bluffs rise about you. Soon you are in a desert canyon, painted with horizontal stripes of layered stone. Eventually, you start to climb, high into an upland plateau. And then, you go over a hill, and ...

Suddenly you are in this emerald green, dewey, forested place. Cattle munch in the verdant pastures. From the edge of the bowl, the Caldera opens wide before you, lush and vibrant.

What else would a bunch of Covenant geeks call it upon arriving? After crossing the desert, it feels like Andelain.

*soft smile*

Well spoken, wayfriend. Well spoken indeed.

Speaking of Covenant geeks arriving at the caldera, while I don't much like how I look in this photo, here is (from left to right) Fist, dlb, and yours truly taking in the caldera's wonder...


(photo by Damelon)

[Blackhawk]

[Menolly]

Ooo, Blackhawk.
Where is Pueblo de Panay?
I could always search it out,
but would prefer you tell me, please,
if you would be so kind...

[rdhopeca]

Ooo, Blackhawk.
Where is Pueblo de Panay?
I could always search it out,
but would prefer you tell me, please,
if you would be so kind...

Isn't it an island in the phillipines?

[Blackhawk]

Ooo, Blackhawk.
Where is Pueblo de Panay?
I could always search it out,
but would prefer you tell me, please,
if you would be so kind...

Rdhopeca is right.. its in the phillipines, I actually found it while searching for Beautiful landscapes. its close but needs some Gilden Trees to make it right.

It fit my image of Andelain

[Ur Dead]

Always wondered..

What is a Gilden Tree?

I searched around and refs to it make it some body care product but tht isn't what I believe it should be.
There isn't a tree by that name on this world.

Gilded may be from Holland or a dutch word but I am stymied.

So what is a Gilden Tree?