0211, 2011

San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf at Night)

Between the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, the famous neighborhood of Fisherman’s Wharf attracts locals and tourists with its nightlife. This eScapes scene presents the relaxing skyline of San Francisco at night, with the Bay Bridge in the foreground, and a view of the restaurants and storefronts on the Wharf. Joe McBride is a smooth jazz pianist and singer. A Missouri native, McBride released his debut album in 1992 and has also toured and opened for popular R&B/jazz acts including Whitney Houston and Larry Carlton. Links San Francisco Official Travel Site San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Bay Bridge Public Information Office Joe McBride Official MySpace

3110, 2011

Colca Canyon, Peru

Scenic Earth
380

Peru’s Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, is home to extraordinary geological and biological diversity. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca area is home to a desert landscape, rolling hills, stepped gardens, steep cliffs, and the Colca River. Cacti and aloe plants thrive on the landscape. Birdwatchers are drawn to the canyon for the Andean condor, one of the world’s largest birds, drawn to the currents of warm air rising from the canyon. Dave Koz is a smooth jazz saxophonist who has released over a dozen albums in his 20-year solo career. He is also a radio host on the Smooth Jazz Radio Network and of the syndicated Dave

2610, 2011

Whitefish Point Lighthouse

Lighthouses
477

The modern steel tower and well-maintained grounds of the Whitefish Point Lighthouse leave little hint that the light is 150 years old and the oldest active light on Lake Superior. Originally built as a stone tower in 1848, the lighthouse was replaced with its current design in 1861, after the opening of the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. The broad framework legs of the tower are designed to withstand high winds and storms from the lake. Lake Superior’s severe storms are responsible for another feature at Whitefish Point: the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum on the lighthouse grounds. Whitefish Point neighbors the most hazardous part of Lake Superior, where the most vessels have been lost. One

2410, 2011

Hansen Bay, St. John

Tropical Beaches
460

Hansen Bay, on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits just outside of Virgin Islands National Park, which encompasses most of the island. Perfect beaches, some of them privately owned, surround the bay, just isolated enough to allow a relaxing break from the more crowded beaches on the island. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading jazz guitar acts. Currently living in Spain, Antoine frequently tours with other contemporary jazz greats including David Benoit, Dave Koz, and Chris Botti. Links National

2010, 2011

Avenue of the Giants, California

Scenic Earth
403

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

1910, 2011

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

American Cities
407

The Great Plains might not be known for large cities, but Oklahoma City is an exception. The 31st largest city in the country, Oklahoma City stands out in the center of the United States, equidistant from New York and Los Angeles. One third of Oklahoma’s entire population resides in the Oklahoma City metro area. This eScapes video tour of Oklahoma City includes relaxing views of downtown’s impressive architecture, including the striking glass facade of Leadership Square and the state capitol. One of the most famous sights in the city is the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The site of 1995’s tragic federal building bombing has been transformed into a beautiful landscaped park. A reflecting pool, less than

1710, 2011

West Point Lighthouse, Washington

Lighthouses
457

Seattle’s West Point Lighthouse was built in 1881, marking the entrance to Elliott Bay and, in modern times, the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Now a part of the city’s Discovery Park, the West Point Lighthouse adds ambience to a public beach, where visitors can find a spectacular view of both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Though federal ownership of the lighthouse ended in 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard still occupies the lighthouse’s nearby keeper’s quarters. Randy Jacobs is an instrumental guitarist and songwriter who has collaborated and appeared with not only some of the biggest names in jazz, but some of the biggest names in all of music. His solo career has blended jazz with

1510, 2011

Château de Beynac, France

World Cities & Harbors
360

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

1410, 2011

Mt. Adams & Trout Lake, Washington

Scenic Earth
412

Even in a state full of beautiful scenery, the Cascade Mountains stand out. This eScapes video brings you a relaxing view of southern Washington’s Mount Adams from the edge of the tranquil Trout Lake, about 13 miles south of the summit. This untouched landscape is a perfect place to relax and take in the view. Just don’t sit for too long– Mount Adams is a dormant volcano and could erupt sometime in the next few thousand years. 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 James, and became the original keyboardist for the Rippingtons. Now a genre favorite, Karukas

1210, 2011

St. Louis, Missouri Gardens

American Cities
350

Dozens of parks are hidden in the cityscape of St. Louis, Missouri. The most famous might be the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the home of the Gateway Arch that also includes acres of landscaped grounds and two large ponds. However, the city also holds the Missouri Botanical Garden, the nation’s oldest continuously-operated botanical garden. Some views of the Missouri Botanical Garden featured in this video include the the park’s Victorian District and the domed Climatron, a tropical greenhouse that spans 24,000 square feet with no interior structural support. Earl Klugh is contemporary jazz guitarist originally from Detroit, Michigan. Since his first album in 1976, Klugh has received twelve career Grammy nominations and produced more than twenty