1805, 2012

Detroit Institute of Arts (American Landscapes)

No visit to Detroit is complete without a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, a 658,000-square-foot museum with one of the top collections of artwork in the United States. Founded in 1885, the museum is home to a diverse collection of art from a broad span of eras and cultures. Some of the museum’s most famous pieces include Diego Rivera’s enormous “Detroit Industry” fresco and an 1887 self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. This eScapes video takes you on a relaxing tour of the museum’s gallery of American landscapes. Most of these works are from the mid-19th century and the centerpiece of this gallery, Frederic Edwin Church’s 1862 painting Cotopaxi, is thought to be a

0205, 2012

Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
354

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

0304, 2012

Alpena on St. Marys River

Shipwatching
358

The Great Lakes freighter Alpena was launched as the Leon Fraser in 1942, carrying iron ore across the Great Lakes. In 1989, the ship was converted to a self-unloading cement carrier and shortly afterward was renamed the Alpena, after the hometown of its fleet, Inland Lakes Transportation. In this eScapes video, the 519-foot Alpena moves downbound the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie. The waterfront buildings and distant wind turbines of Ontario can be seen in the background. 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 jazz albums

2203, 2012

Dixboro, Michigan

American Cities
379

While Dixboro, Michigan might not be a city on the list of great American tourist destinations, its small town charm, scenic beauty, and nostalgic atmosphere make it enchanting to any visitor who happens to pass through. Sprouting from the lone vision and finances of Boston ship captain John Dix, the proper Village of Dixboro consists of only a handful of acres on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. In the 1820s, Dix built the area’s first barn and established a saw and grist mill in his new settlement. When the incoming railroad bypassed Dixboro in favor of nearby Ypsilanti, however, the growth of Dixboro slowed and John Dix left for Texas. Now a quaint community known for

1603, 2012

Steep Creek Falls, Washington

Scenic Earth
371

In many places (like Minneapolis), a 52-foot waterfall like Steep Creek Falls would be well-known by the locals and often visited by tourists. Along the Columbia River, however, amazing natural sights are everywhere, and a waterfall of this size can remain relatively unknown. One of the most accessible waterfalls in the area, Steep Creek Falls near Stevenson, Washington is a picturesque cascade that feeds Rock Creek, a tributary of the Columbia. Steep Creek Falls is perfectly complemented by the surrounding environment. Even though the waterfall is easily accessible and visible from a nearby gravel road, the beauty of the surrounding trees and rocks create a sense of seclusion. Fourplay is a jazz “supergroup” formed in 1990.

1403, 2012

Duluth Canal Lighthouses at Sunrise

Lighthouses
485

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

1203, 2012

San Antonio, Texas

American Cities
452

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 San Antonio is the most-visited city in Texas, and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only does the city boast a wide variety of restaurants and shops, award-winning golf courses, spas, theme parks, and museums, but it has the most famous tourist attraction in the state: The Alamo. A key location in the Texas Revolution, the Alamo now stands as a historical monument and museum. Nearby, the San Antonio River Walk, the city’s second-most-popular attraction, offers natural and architectural beauty. Visitors can walk beside the river for miles,

0703, 2012

Los Angeles, California

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Underneath the bustle of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a strong creative pulse. Los Angeles has been the worldwide capital of film production since the early 1900s, and about one-sixth of the city’s 3.8 million people work in the arts. On any drive through the city, you are never too far from a concert hall, movie theater, or sound stage. Viewing the sprawling city and its impressive downtown skyline from afar, it’s hard to imagine the city’s humble beginnings as a missionary settlement in

0203, 2012

Washington, D.C. Landmarks

American Cities
369

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Though only 68 square miles, Washington, D.C. contains enough recognizable buildings and landmarks to fill an entire country. The capital city of the United States, the District of Columbia is not only a place of business for the federal government but a shrine to the country’s history and accomplishments. Two of the most famous buildings in Washington, featured in the beginning of this eScapes video, are the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House. These structures are symbols of the city, current politics, and the entire United States. The

2902, 2012

Key West, Florida (Ocean Sunset)

Tropical Beaches
493

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Perhaps best known for its location at the southernmost point of the continental United States, Key West, Florida is a destination for anyone seeking a tropical climate, interesting people, and a rich history. Just 90 miles north of Cuba, Key West is a cultural melting pot that has inspired great works from Ernest Hemingway, Tennesee Williams, and more recently, Jimmy Buffett. This eScapes video takes you to the beach for a gorgeous sunset over the sea. Even as night falls, passing boats bring the water to life and swarms