The most accessible mountain area in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge offers spectacular views of the park and numerous hiking opportunities. Miles of forested land, rugged mountains, wildlife, and wildflower meadows greet park visitors year-round. Named “Hurricane Ridge” for its frequent strong wind gusts (over 75 miles an hour), this location receives up to 35 feet of snow each year. The weight of this snow discourages tree growth along much of the ridge, creating open meadows and bare slopes like those seen in this sample video. During the winter, the road to Hurricane Ridge mostly remains open, though often threatened by the risk of avalanches. Ski and snowshoe rental is offered at the ridge’s visitor center.

Steep Creek Falls, Washington

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.

Columbia River Trainwatching

Near the city of Stevenson, Washington (population 1,465), train enthusiasts can catch magnificent views of freight moving along the edges of the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The first railroad in this area might not have appealed to even the most devoted trainwatcher: it was nothing more than a track for a wagon, pulled my a mule, to portage cargo around some of the river’s rapids. Today, the Columbia River Gorge is a major commercial rail route through the Cascade Mountains, where a passing train is often the perfect complement to a dramatic natural landscape. Nestor Torres is a versatile flutist who crosses the genres of jazz, pop, classical, and Latin music. He has toured with mostly

Columbia River Gorge Moonrise

To mark today’s Lunar New Year, eScapes brings you a peaceful “moonrise” over the tranquil Columbia River. The actual moonrise on a Lunar New Year isn’t quite as dramatic– the Lunar New Year always falls on the new moon. The Lunar New Year is important to many eastern cultures and traditions that use lunar or lunisolar calendars instead of the Gregorian calendar. The most widely known tradition tied to the Lunar New Year is the Chinese New Year, which today celebrates the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. This eScapes video brings you the beauty of the moon with the terrestrial beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. Separating Washington and Oregon, this gorge is one

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

The Columbia River Gorge along the Washington/Oregon border is home to many great natural sights. Even away from well-known landmarks like Multnomah Falls and Mt. Adams, the general beauty of the region is engaging and a wonder on its own. This eScapes video tracks the aptly-named sternwheeler Columbia Gorge riverboat as it paddles through the heart of the gorge, dwarfed by the forested Cascade Mountains. Also visible is the “Bridge of the Gods,” a cantilever bridge spanning the river. This bridge is named after a land bridge that once crossed nearby and is a prominent part of local American Indian legend. Chris Standring is a jazz guitarist who has distinguished himself in the contemporary jazz realm

West Point Lighthouse, Washington

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

Mt. Adams & Trout Lake, Washington

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

New Dungeness Lighthouse

The New Dungeness Lighthouse has continuously watched over the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Sequim, Washington since it was first lit in 1857. Though the light is now fully automated, volunteer lighthouse keepers from the New Dungeness Lighthouse Association still reside at the light, tending the grounds and interacting with visitors to the historic site and its interpretive center. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a duo of acoustic guitarists, the band has expanded and renewed itself over the decades to accommodate artistic choices and lineup changes. Now a group that mixes genres, styles, and influences, Acoustic Alchemy is a favorite adult contemporary and new age act. Links New Dungeness Lighthouse

Port Townsend, Washington

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Founded in the mid-1800s, Port Townsend, Washington was expected by many to become a dominant port city on the West Coast. Despite significant investment and early successes, Port Townsend was overshadowed by other northwestern cities. Lack of confidence by investors– including the Northern Pacific Railroad– caused the city to shrink into a quiet community now known for its abundance of Victorian architecture, artists, and retirees. The Port of Port Townshend Boat Haven, featured in this video, was built in the 1960s and favors smaller boats (the marina’s slips start at 20 feet). Wooden docks (instead of concrete) add to the city’s historic atmosphere, and even the boats are often wooden. In fact, Port Townshend is home

eScapes Produces 500th Episode

Very few television programs ever achieve such a milestone. The classic TV series Bonanza ran from 1959 to 1973 and didn’t do it. M.A.S.H. ran for eleven years on network television and didn’t even come close to it. In fact, it took The Simpsons 25 years to accomplish what the eScapes Network has done in a little less than six months. And what is “it”? The 500th produced episode. Granted, the eScapes Network does not have the logistical burdens of scripted programming– actors, sets, script revisions, and the like– but just as its network cousins, eScapes is highly dependent on locations. In fact, that’s what the eScapes Network is all about… locations. Continue Reading Full News

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Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park