0205, 2012

Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
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Minnesota’s Tettegouche State Park offers gorgeous views of Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline. Dense forests and steep cliffs combine to create a stunning vista, as well as a venue for hikers, naturalists, and rock climbers. This eScapes video features views of the park’s Palisade Head and Shovel Point formations. The exposed bedrock cliffs were formed during the glacial excavation of Lake Superior, but the rock itself originates from volcanic lava and is about one billion years old. Today, these cliffs are a popular spot for peregrine falcons, which nest in the cliff faces. During nesting season, rock climbing in certain areas is prohibited at the park. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a

1403, 2012

Duluth Canal Lighthouses at Sunrise

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The Duluth-Superior Harbor on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin is the busiest bulk cargo port on the Great Lakes. But, in the early hours of the day, the waterfront becomes a therapeutic escape from the frantic activity of the rest of the day. The entrance to the Duluth-Superior ship canal is marked by two historic lighthouses: the Duluth North Pierhead Light and the Duluth South Breakwater Light. The southern light has served the port’s freighters since 1874, but the narrowness of the canal and frequent foggy conditions necessitated a second light to the north, first lit in 1910. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a duo of acoustic guitarists, the band

0210, 2011

Saint Paul Trainwatching

Trainwatching
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Railroads are a significant part of the history and culture of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed “The Last City in the East,” Saint Paul was a hub on the “Milwaukee Road,” the railroad network that stretched from the Great Lakes to northwest Washington. It was also the headquarters of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways. Today, Saint Paul is still a hub for rail traffic and provides plenty of venues for trainwatching. The Twin City Model Railroad Museum even lets visitors watch trains from the comfort of the indoors– albeit on a smaller scale. This eScapes video takes you to the St. Paul neighborhood of Dayton’s Bluff, which offers a great view of four busy rail

2709, 2011

Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
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Minnesota’s Minnehaha Park is such a beautiful and relaxing setting, you’d never guess it was right in the middle of one of the United States’ largest metropolitan areas, unless you spotted the cars passing behind the treeline. Nestled in the southern metro area of the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls gets its name from the Dakota words for, simply, “waterfall.” The urban park surrounding the 53-foot waterfall attracts over 850,000 visitors a year. 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 accomplished jazz flutist, Zonjic has performed worldwide and at major classical and jazz festivals throughout North America,

1209, 2011

St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis

American Cities
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One of the only waterfalls on the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls offers more than a scenic outlook and relaxing ambience. The entire city of Minneapolis was built around the power of the falls, both literally and figuratively. Early entrepreneurs used the falls to power saw and flour mills, which attracted more settlers and led to the creation of the city. At the turn of the century, Minneapolis led the United States in flour production. By the mid-20th century, however, the flour boom was over and Minneapolis’ position had been lost as new power sources and transportation methods developed and Western crops suffered. Today, a hydroelectric plant still draws power from the falls, but the mills

0309, 2011

Beaver Bay Falls, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
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Most of the impressive waterfalls in the United States are well-documented and well-traveled. Many are located in parks and some even have a infrastructure or nearby tourism economy to accommodate sightseeing. The falls of the Beaver River in Minnesota is not one of these falls. Right next to the city of Beaver Bay– population 181– these falls flow under Minnesota Highway 61 and empty into Lake Superior. If not for the relative isolation of Lake Superior’s North Shore, it’s hard to imagine these beautiful and dramatic falls wouldn’t be more famous. Gregg Karukas is a contemporary jazz keyboardist. After launching his solo career in the 1980s, Karukas formed a band that featured Dave Koz and Boney

2807, 2011

Split Rock Lighthouse

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Built in 1910, Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most distinctive features on the Minnesota coast. Sitting atop a 602-foot cliff, the light can be seen for 22 miles and aided Lake Superior ships until it was decommissioned in 1969. Today, the light is only lit for special occasions, although its lens still spins. Split Rock Lighthouse sits on the northern shore of Lake Superior in what is now Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Ken Navarro is an award-winning contemporary jazz guitarist. His impressive discography of nineteen top charting albums showcases his appeal to a wide range of listeners with inspiring compositions and superb guitar performances. Links Split Rock Lighthouse Split