2010, 2011

Avenue of the Giants, California

Scenic Earth
402

The Avenue of the Giants– US Highway 101 in Humboldt County, California– runs for 31 miles through one of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Along the way, the road cuts through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to over 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwood trees. These redwoods spurred much of the early settlement in the area. Settlers in the second half of the 1800 found opportunity for logging in the forest, although it could take up to a week to fell one of the giant redwoods. Much of the redwoods were eventually cut down before conservation movements were born in the early 20th century. Fortunately, preserving the forest created even more economic opportunity through

1810, 2011

Brandywine Falls

Scenic Earth
390

Even though Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has no shortage of natural beauty, it’s no wonder why Brandywine Falls remains one of its most popular sights. This 60-foot waterfall is not only beautiful, but educational for budding geologists who take the time to look at the thin layers of rock that create the falls’ “bridal veil” cascade. Located on the eastern edge of the national park, Brandywine Falls is surrounded by evergreens, maple trees, and hemlocks. Visitors to the park can look at the falls from various angles with the help of walkways and a pedestrian boardwalk. Jim Brickman is a songwriter and solo pianist. One of the most commercially successful adult contemporary artists, Brickman

1510, 2011

Château de Beynac, France

World Cities & Harbors
358

There are many villages along the Dordogne River and many castles in the former Périgord province of France, but the Château de Beynac is one of the most impressive. Perched on a cliff over the river, this château was first built in the 12th century and continuously upgraded and strengthened over the centuries by different owners. In addition to the fortress’ obvious external defenses, the interior of the castle is designed for defense as well, with features like narrow stairways that only allow visitors to ascend in single-file. In modern times, the château is open to visitors and kept in a similar state to how it was in medieval times. Cindy Bradley is an award-winning jazz

0610, 2011

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

World Cities & Harbors
462

At night, Dubai might be a spectacle of exciting nightlife, but early in the day, the desert city moves a calmer, more relaxing pace. As the sun rises over the Persian Gulf, there’s a clear contrast between the modern skyscrapers of downtown Dubai and the quiet desert on the outskirts. One of the unique sights of Dubai– seen in this video– is the great number of auras— traditional wooden water taxis that ferry locals and tourists across the Dubai Creek. An interesting feature of these boats is their rustic steering method: many are guided by a simple wooden rudder controlled by ropes and pulleys. Nils is a Munich-born guitarist, producer, and composer. Though most comfortable playing

3009, 2011

Toledo Botanical Garden (Pioneer Garden)

Scenic Earth
356

The Pioneer Garden in the Toledo Botanical Garden re-creates a historical setting with plots filled with heirloom vegetables and flowers, grown organically, as in pioneer days. However, the centerpiece of the garden isn’t a re-creation: it’s the actual log cabin of Peter Navarre, a famed army scout and settler of southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio. Navarre, born to French parents and familiar with Indian society from a young age, was instrumental to American efforts in the War of 1812 and was involved in the death of British-allied Indian chief Tecumseh. His cabin, which originally stood elsewhere on Toledo farm, was moved to the Botanical Garden in 1975. Each year, the Garden hosts a “Peter Navarre Day”

2809, 2011

Inspiration Point

Tropical Beaches
366

Inspiration Point, in Newport Beach, California, is a small city park known for its scenic outlook over the Pacific Ocean and the city’s nearby beach and headlands. This eScapes video provides an amazing view of Newport Beach as seen from Inspiration Point. This great view and location over the Pacific make Inspiration Point a popular site for small wedding ceremonies. Singles can use the park for walking, reading, or simply enjoying the relaxing view. Jeff Lorber is a keyboardist and composer who was influential in the jazz fusion movement– the joining of jazz with rock, R&B, and funk elements. Lorber’s innovative jazz style still blends various styles into an innovative sound, as evidenced in the more

0909, 2011

Louisville, Kentucky

American Cities
332

Downtown Louisville is filled with beautiful architecture and even when it’s not beautiful, it’s distinctive: like the giant baseball bat attached to the Louisville Slugger Museum. This eScapes scene takes you on a relaxing tour of downtown Louisville’s civic buildings, including City Hall (which houses the Metro Council) and Louisville Metro Hall (which houses the Metro Mayor). Outside the Metro Hall, the former Jefferson County Courthouse, stands a 1901 statue of Thomas Jefferson. A more recent, white statue of King Louis XVI stands on the nearby corner– a reminder of Louisville’s namesake. The Rippingtons is a Grammy-nominated American contemporary jazz band. Since its formation in 1985, the band has hosted many well-known musicians that have launched

0609, 2011

Denver, Colorado

American Cities
384

Denver, Colorado originated as a mining settlement in the mid-1800s. Since its location was determined by gold prospects, it is one of the few cities in history to be founded away from existing transportation routes or bodies of water. Today, Denver is a thriving commercial center with numerous industries and a wealth of tourism attractions. The 16th Street Mall, shown at the beginning of this eScapes video, is a mile-long pedestrian center filled with over 500 shops, restaurants, and bars. It opened in 1982 and was designed by famous modern architect I.M. Pei, who also designed the Louvre’s glass pyramid, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The

0408, 2011

Klamath National Forest

Scenic Earth
346

The Klamath National Forest covers 1,700,000 acres of Northern California and the lower part of Oregon. The forest gets its name from the Klamath people– the indigenous tribe of Southern Oregon. It is densely populated with old-growth conifer trees. The national forest covers a fraction of the much larger Klamath-Siskiyou Region, the largest concentration of roadless wilderness on the West Coast. This region, largely unprotected outside of the national forests, is recognized for its great biodiversity and habitat variety. It is one of seven areas in North America considered an Area of Global Botanical Significance by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Rippingtons is a Grammy-nominated American contemporary jazz band. Since its formation in

2607, 2011

Bryce Canyon National Park

Scenic Earth
338

The western part of the United States is filled with many fascinating landscapes, but Bryce Canyon National Park is particularly unique. Carved by rain and frost wedging in the limestone of Utah’s Claron Formation, this stunning landscape is known for its hoodoos– weathered rock spires– and its bizarre terrain that includes numerous amphitheaters and maze-like valleys. Covering 56 square miles, Bryce Canyon is one of the smaller national parks, but it spans more than 2,000 feet of altitude. This means several distinct climate zones can be found within the park, each with its own plant and animal life. The varied landscape is perfect for hiking or biking, or for relaxation and meditation when the sun is