0109, 2011

San Diego, California

American Cities
417

San Diego, California has a close relationship to the Pacific Ocean it sits on. A popular destination for boating, surfing, and fishing, San Diego also houses the U.S. Navy’s largest base on the West Coast. This eScapes scene begins with a view of a modern fish bones sculpture adorning Embarcadero Marina Park. Seaport Village, an open-air commercial mall on the seaside, can be seen in the background. This sample video ends with a reverse view of the San Diego skyline from Coronado Island, just across San Diego Bay from downtown. Most of the city’s skyscrapers are close to the same height– due to the proximity of San Diego International Airport, they’re limited to 500 feet– but

3108, 2011

Santa Fe Desert

Scenic Earth
343

Santa Fe is a busy historical and cultural center, as well the center of New Mexico’s state government. A tourist-friendly city with a progressive attitude, Santa Fe embraces modernity. However, just outside the city, a timeless desert landscape reminds visitors of a simpler time. This eScapes video features a vast expanse of empty New Mexico land, dotted with occasional plateaus, bushes, and ruins of ancient dwellings. Places like this are perfect relaxing getaways for those weary of the urban lifestyle. Jim Brickman is a songwriter and solo pianist. One of the most commercially successful adult contemporary artists, Brickman has six Gold or Platinum albums and multiple prestigious awards and nominations. His romantic pop-inspired piano sound is

2908, 2011

Tulsa, Oklahoma

American Cities
345

Tusla– Oklahoma’s second-largest city– has long been a hub on the oil industry, but is now transitioning to a service-based economy with an emphasis on culture. This eScapes tour of Tulsa begins with a relaxing view of the clouds drifting over the University of Tulsa’s Bayless Plaza. Bayless Plaza, a landscaped gathering place in the middle of the university campus, houses the historic Kendall Bell, traditionally rung by graduating students at the completion of their final exams. Gota (full name Gota Yashiki) is a jazz and pop percussionist, vocalist, and producer. Before his solo debut, he worked with artists including Seal and Sinead O’Connor. Today, Gota still collaborates with other artists often, but is an accomplished

2808, 2011

Los Angeles City Hall

In a city where skyscrapers are taken for granted, Los Angeles City Hall still manages to turn heads. This seat of L.A. city government was the city’s tallest building for forty years, as new constructions were limited by building codes and earthquake stress concerns. In 1968, City Hall finally lost its title, and is now only the 28th tallest building in Los Angeles. Still, the dated art deco architecture of the building makes it prominent in a field of generic steel-and-glass towers. At night, the white masonry of the building makes it stand out even more against a dark sky. Also illuminated and the featured in this video is the Court of Historic American Flags, lining

2708, 2011

Algorail at Port of Milwaukee

Shipwatching
352

The self-unloading freighter Algorail has served the Algoma Central Corporation on the Great Lakes since its construction in 1968, and is managed by its partner, Seaway Marine Transport. This is the second vessel to bear the Algorail name. The first, known as William S. Mack before Algoma purchased it, was scrapped in 1963. In this video, the current Algorail departs the Port of Milwaukee, past the Milwaukee Breakwater Light in Lake Michigan. 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 under his belt, White is a frequent

2608, 2011

Multnomah Falls (Portland, Oregon)

Scenic Earth
358

Portland, Oregon is known for being a “green city” and indeed is full of beautiful natural places. Many of these are woven into the cityscape, but more breathtaking sights can only be found past the outskirts. In this video, eScapes takes you to the amazing Multnomah Falls. One of the most dramatic and beautiful waterfalls in the United States, Multnomah Falls is 611 feet tall and, notably, does not dry up during the summer. Nearby paths provide visitors with views of the falls from various altitudes. Sightseers looking for a dramatic way to experience the falls might enjoy a walk over the misty Benson Bridge, as those seeking a more relaxing time watch the water from

2408, 2011

Old Mackinac Point Light

Lighthouses
501

During the 19th century, booming settlements around the Great Lakes effected a great increase in Great Lakes shipping. Increased ship traffic created the need for a lighthouse to guide ships through the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. By 1890, a fog signal building had been constructed on the site of the former Fort Michilimackinac, a British fort that had been dismantled and moved to nearby Mackinac Island in 1781. The Old Mackinac Point Light Station was first lit in 1892. It served ships under four different lighthouse keepers and, like many lighthouses, had minor upgrades over the years to implement new technologies such as electric motors and radio signals. The lighthouse ended

1908, 2011

Seattle at Night

World Cities & Harbors
357

This beautiful night view of Seattle might only be outdone by the view from the top of the famous Space Needle, prominent in the skyline. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle was designed to have a futuristic Space Age theme. This design is reflected in tower’s “flying saucer” top and even in the names the builders gave to its paint– names like “Re-entry Red” and “Galaxy Gold.” On the nearby Elliott Bay, ferries transport people to and from suburbs separated from Seattle by the many waterways of the Puget Sound. Elliott Bay is also a popular route for dinner and entertainment cruises. Paul Hardcastle is an English musician who crosses genres with his

1808, 2011

Black River, Wisconsin

Scenic Earth
347

Wisconsin’s Black River begins at the Minnesota border and winds through northwestern corner of the state, joining with the Nemadji River and entering Lake Superior. The scenery of the Black River is at its best as it passes through Pattison State Park, thirteen miles south of the city of Superior. The river’s tranquility is eventually broken by the dramatic Big Manitou Falls– Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall– farther downstream. The Black River gets its name from the dark color of the water. This “root beer” color comes from decomposing organic matter from the forest. A similar phenomenon can be seen at Michigan’s famous Tahquamenon Falls. Cindy Bradley is an award-winning jazz trumpeter. She has toured the world as

1708, 2011

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Lighthouses
356

Point Loma Lighthouse, first lit in 1855, was built at the top of a 422-foot hill overlooking San Diego Bay. The height of the light was supposed to make it a clearly visible signal, but it was actually too high. The light would often be shrouded in heavy fog cover and low clouds. Without a fog signal, the lighthouse keeper sometimes resorted to firing a shotgun to warn mariners of the rocky coast. Regardless, the lighthouse ran for 36 years, doing its job well when weather permitted. The lighthouse was replaced in 1891 by a new Point Loma Lighthouse a few hundred yards down the hill from the original. The Old Point Loma Light still stands