2509, 2011

Sterling State Park, Michigan

Scenic Earth
450

Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie, Sterling State Park in Monroe, offers lakefront fun including camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Other attractions include hiking and bicycle trails through the nearby woods and wetlands. This eScapes video features a peaceful sunrise over the lake: a scene usually reserved for lakefront campers and those who make it to the park before the crowds arrive. 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

1709, 2011

Dana Point, California

Tropical Beaches
437

Dana Point is a California city known for its miles of beaches. A relatively new city, it was first settled in the early 1900s and not incorporated as its own city within Orange County until 1989. Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., a seaman who took note of the area while sailing on the merchant ship Pilgrim in 1840. Today, a replica of Pilgrim can be seen at the Ocean Institute at the west end of the harbor. Sixty miles south of Los Angeles, Dana Point is a perfect place to relax by the seaside, but it is also known as a great surfing destination away from the crowds found at more famous

3008, 2011

Villa Beach, Peru

Tropical Beaches
433

Peru has more than 1,200 miles of coastline and 254 officially recognized beaches. Though some the beaches south of Lima are polluted, the situation has improved in recent years and many of the beaches are still excellent and relaxing places to take in a beautiful sunset, like the one featured in this video. This beach, Villa, has some of the strongest waves on the Peru coast. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly a jazz artist, was named the “No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine in 2010. Influenced by many genres including R&B, James is a three-time Grammy-nominee who has sold more than

2308, 2011

Belize (Coast with Mangroves)

Tropical Beaches
469

This mangrove-covered beach might not be the best place to lie down under the sun, but the unique view is relaxing in its own way. Belize’s mangroves protect the small country’s coastline from tidal erosion, as do the many coral reefs offshore. Natural sights like these (most of Belize is covered by forests) have become part of a new ecotourism industry that is steadily growing and supplementing Belize’s traditional agricultural economy. Brian Hughes is a contemporary jazz guitarist. He has released several albums since the 1990s and been a frequent accompanist and sideman for various artists, most notably Loreena McKennitt. His style blends smooth jazz and world music, especially Latin music. Links Belize Tourism Board Belize

0308, 2011

Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas

Tropical Beaches
487

Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the island’s lesser-known beaches and as a result is often free of the larger crowds sometimes found at more popular sites. Lines of palm trees provide a perfect frame for the ocean view and, just off the shore, rock formations add character to the sapphire-blue water. The relatively low number of visitors makes this beach a great spot for quiet relaxation, but snorkeling and recreational boating are also popular activities. Chris Standring is a jazz guitarist who has distinguished himself in the contemporary jazz realm with adventurous, lyrical compositions leavened with pure-pop perfection, dazzling guitar solos and thick beats. Though predominately influenced by

2707, 2011

Santa María del Mar, Peru

Tropical Beaches
426

The Santa María del Mar district of Peru is well known for its beautiful beaches. Just south of the country’s capital of Lima, this relaxation destination seems to have it all– pristine sand, a rolling surf from the Pacific Ocean, and a perfect boating harbor all framed by bold rocky slopes. Farther back from the beach are restaurants, a club, and numerous rental houses and apartments for seasonal visitors. Though there are not many nearby hotels, some apartments and houses can be rented for a daily or weekly term. Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An

2307, 2011

Santa Monica Pier

American Cities
512

The Santa Monica Pier, just west of Los Angeles, has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1909 to carry sewer pipes out to sea, the pier became a recreation destination and was quickly expanded and developed by entrepreneurs. In the last century, the pier and its harbor have been home to several amusement parks, restaurants, a ballroom, a cruise ship, an illegal mob casino yacht, and the “Muscle Beach” of Jack LaLanne and Joe Gold. Today, four million tourists each year travel to the Santa Monica Pier, which now includes the Pacific Park amusement park, an aquarium, restaurants, and many street performers and artists. Away from the electricity and excitement of the pier, the nearby

2007, 2011

Oppenheimer Beach

Tropical Beaches
494

This relaxing beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands gets its name from J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist and researcher best known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” In the 1950s, Oppenheimer and his wife purchased a house above this beach, which was then known as Hawksnest. In 1967, Oppenheimer died and his ashes were placed in the water off of the beach. Years later, the beach was willed to the people of St. John by Oppenheimer’s daughter, Toni. The government has since managed and developed the site and decided to name it after the Oppenheimer family. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a duo of acoustic guitarists,

1407, 2011

Trunk Bay, St. John

Tropical Beaches
442

The United States Virgin Islands are a popular travel destination and well-known for their beauty. On Saint John, this beauty is protected; about 60% of the island is a U.S. National Park. One of the standout locations on Saint John is the Trunk Bay beach, widely recognized as one of the best beaches in the world. With perfect white sand and aqua blue water, it’s hard not to see why. Relax to the rolling ocean surf featured in this video and imagine yourself lying on the warm sand. Paul Brown is a smooth jazz producer and musician known for his driving R&B guitar rhythms. He has produced some of smooth jazz’s biggest acts, including Boney James,

1107, 2011

Crisp Point Lighthouse

Lighthouses
490

Crisp Point Light Station, in Paradise, Michigan, was first lit in 1904 and served Lake Superior ships until it was decommissioned in 1993. The light tower perfectly complements a pristine beach and dark blue water, but the strong waves of the lake, though beautiful, can be destructive. In 1996, the lighthouse lost its entrance building to coastal erosion from the lake, and the site has been the focus of many efforts to preserve or restore the coastline. Geoff Bowman is a solo pianist. “Manhattan” is a track off his debut album, Reflections. Links Crisp Point Light Historical Society Paradise, Michigan Area Tourism Council Paradise Chamber of Commerce