The Coquille River Light was first lit in 1896 to aid the transportation of goods and people to and from the mouth of the Coquille River. Simple, small, and inexpensive, the lighthouse was for many years the smallest on the Oregon coast. The tower, measuring 47 feet from its base, was equipped with a fourth order fresnel lens visible for up to 12 miles. In 1939, the original light was replaced with an automated beacon. Today, Coquille River Lighthouse is a part of Oregon’s Bullards Beach State Park. The state has maintained, repaired, and restored the lighthouse over the years and, true to Oregon’s status as one of the most environmentally-friendly states, the Coquille River tower

Port Townsend, Washington

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Founded in the mid-1800s, Port Townsend, Washington was expected by many to become a dominant port city on the West Coast. Despite significant investment and early successes, Port Townsend was overshadowed by other northwestern cities. Lack of confidence by investors– including the Northern Pacific Railroad– caused the city to shrink into a quiet community now known for its abundance of Victorian architecture, artists, and retirees. The Port of Port Townshend Boat Haven, featured in this video, was built in the 1960s and favors smaller boats (the marina’s slips start at 20 feet). Wooden docks (instead of concrete) add to the city’s historic atmosphere, and even the boats are often wooden. In fact, Port Townshend is home

Galveston Shipwatching

Galveston Island has always had a great connection to the sea. First settled with Europeans in 1817– by Jean Lafitte, a pirate– Galveston quickly became an important port city. The largest city in Texas, it was the busiest port west of New Orleans and a quickly growing cultural capital. Unfortunately, wealth and activity were not the only things the sea brought to Galveston. In 1900, it was hit by “The Great Storm,” a hurricane that to this day is the most deadly natural disaster in American history. One third of the city was destroyed and shortly afterwards, its role as a major port was taken over by Houston. Today, Galveston has rebounded and refreshed itself with

Chicago at Night

The skyline of Chicago is one of the most distinctive in the world and it’s especially beautiful when seen from the city’s Northerly Island peninsula. This vantage point provides an unbroken panorama of the cityscape. As always, the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower (best known by its former name, the Sears Tower) are standout landmarks. The round Shedd Aquarium can be also be seen in the foreground. The most-visited cultural attraction in Chicago, the Aquarium needed 160 rail car trips to carry a million gallons of salt water from Key West for its opening in 1930. Another brilliant vista of the city featured in this video is the cityscape from Navy Pier. The carnival-like atmosphere

Santa María del Mar, Peru

The Santa María del Mar district of Peru is well known for its beautiful beaches. Just south of the country’s capital of Lima, this relaxation destination seems to have it all– pristine sand, a rolling surf from the Pacific Ocean, and a perfect boating harbor all framed by bold rocky slopes. Farther back from the beach are restaurants, a club, and numerous rental houses and apartments for seasonal visitors. Though there are not many nearby hotels, some apartments and houses can be rented for a daily or weekly term. Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An

Seattle (Elliott Bay Waterfront)

In this eScapes video– a sample of our 500th completed episode— we take you to the waterfront of Seattle, Washington. This harbor in Puget Sound’s Elliott Bay was a center of activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when these piers were used by foreign traders and gold-seekers heading to Alaska. As Seattle’s shipping industry modernized during and after World War II, many old piers were functionally replaced by larger ports with better machinery. Today, Pier 57, featured in this scene, is home to a number of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, including a hand-carved carousel that is one of the oldest in North America. Those seeking a more relaxing time can sit and watch

Puno, Peru (Floating Islands)

The Puno region of Lake Titicaca in Peru has been home to the Uros people since before the Inca empire. The Uros people are known for their unique floating islands. For hundreds of years, this culture has made its home on artificial islands made from interwoven reeds from the lake. Traditionally an isolated hunting and fishing society, the Uros have in modern times expanded to the mainland, and have found new sources of income in the tourism focused around their islands. Peter White is an English smooth jazz guitarist who played with several artists, including a 20-year span as accompanist and writer for Al Stewart, before launching a solo career in 1990. With several Top 10

Rome

Rome may be the most important city that has ever been built. The capital of an empire that controlled the entire Mediterranean region, most of Europe, and significant parts of Asia, Rome’s influence on the fundamentals of Western civilization is unmatched. Western language, art, religion, government, architecture, medicine, and much more are all rooted in Roman innovation. Many Rome sights featured in this eScapes scene hint at the civilization’s cultural legacy. This eScapes scene features the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minerveo obelisk, an iconic Roman arched bridge, and the ruins of the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman democracy. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly

New York City Harbor

The one-of-a-kind atmosphere of New York City is evident in the skyline of Lower Manhattan as seen from the mouth of the East River. Just as iconic as the skyscrapers are the spaces between them: the famous New York City grid layout provides clear lines of sight for miles down the long streets parallel to the Hudson River. A short ferry ride from Battery Park (visible at the beginning of this eScapes video) is the Statue of Liberty. The most enduring symbol of New York City, as well as the entire United States, the popularity of the statue is rivaled only by the iconic Empire State Building, which was the tallest building in the world from

Portland, Oregon River Ride

The 187-mile-long Willamette River runs through downtown Portland, Oregon, where it is spanned by eleven bridges. Many of these bridges hold world records or set records when constructed. The Steel Bridge, featured in this scene, is the second-oldest vertical-lift bridge in the world– second only to the Hawthorne Bridge a little farther downriver. In this video, eScapes takes you on a late-afternoon ride down the river from the Broadway Bridge past the double-lift Steel Bridge. Sitting in the channel are the Korean freighter Eastern Queen and the Italian Michele Bottiglieri, reminders of Portland’s role as an aptly-named port city. Euge Groove is a smooth jazz saxophonist who has lent his talent to recordings and tours from