Established as the first National Lakeshore in 1966, the beautiful Lake Superior coast at Pictured Rocks was adopted by the National Park System as an answer to increased private ownership of the Great Lakes coastlines. Though the Lakeshore is home to sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and sandy beaches, it is best known for its steep sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations. The harsh wind, rain, and freeze/thaw cycles on Lake Superior are responsible for forming these dramatic landscapes are still at work: parts of some of the Lakeshore’s most iconic landforms have lost pieces in recent years. This eScapes video features Miner’s Castle, a major landmark at Pictured rocks. These seaside formations can be seen from

Whitefish Point Lighthouse

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

Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse

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Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse, just south of Gulliver, Michigan on the north shore of Lake Michigan, has aided navigation on the lakes since 1892. Nearby Seul Choix Bay gets its name from the French for “only choice,” since early French settlers found it the only place appropriate to land their boats. Today, the light station is automated, owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and kept by the Gulliver Historical Society, which also operates a museum on the grounds. Ryan Fontanilla is a songwriter and acoustic guitarist based in Washington, D.C. He explores new concepts for acoustic guitar music by utilizing string, woodwind, electronic, and percussion instruments and by experimenting with unique structures. “Son of

Michipicoten at Soo Locks

The Great Lakes freighter Michipicoten, formerly known as the Elton Hoyt 2nd, was built in 1952 and renamed once it joined the Lower Lakes Towing Company, which names its vessels after local rivers. In November 2010, it was converted to diesel power, increasing its capacity and lifespan while reducing its environmental footprint. The Michipicoten primarily runs between Marquette, Michigan and Algoma Steel, but also carries other material and has also been certified to carry grain. In this eScapes video, the freighter slowly moves through the Soo Locks, as it does on its usual route. Chuck Loeb is a guitarist, composer, and producer. Known for his smooth jazz recordings, he is a versatile artist who has explored

Sterling State Park, Michigan

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

Detroit, Michigan (Skyline at Dusk)

Detroit, Michigan is known as the “Motor City” so it may be appropriate that the standout on its skyline is the Renaissance Center housing the headquarters of General Motors. In this relaxing view from across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, the glossy dark facade of the Renaissance Center is a sharp contrast to the older buildings that make up the rest of downtown. Other landmarks visible in this video include Cobo Center on the far left, and the Detroit Princess, a riverboat offering dinner and entertainment cruises on the Detroit River since 2005. Marion Meadows is a smooth jazz saxophonist and composer. Skilled with both the tenor and soprano saxophones, Meadows has collaborated with jazz

Peche Island Rear Range Light

Visitors to Peche Island Rear Range Light wouldn’t be blamed for assuming it was called the “Marine City Lighthouse.” After all, it is in Marine City, Michigan and decidedly not on an island. The words “Marine City” are even painted on the white steel tower. In fact, Marine City is only the second home of this historic lighthouse. In 1908, the light was first lit on Canada’s Peche Island at the head of the Detroit River at Lake St. Clair. It marked the river entrance until 1982, when it was decommissioned and replaced. Set to be destroyed, the citizens of Marine City, 34 miles to the northeast, decided to save the lighthouse and arrange its transportation

Arthur M. Anderson (Duluth-Superior Harbor)

The steamship Arthur M. Anderson was built in Lorain, Ohio in 1952, alongside the Philip R. Clarke and Cason J. Callaway freighters. The Arthur M. Anderson has a unique place in Great Lakes shipping history: it is the last ship to have been in contact with the Edmund Fitzgerald before it sank in Lake Superior in 1975, and later braved the deadly weather to search for survivors from the doomed freighter. In this eScapes scene, the Anderson leaves Duluth-Superior Harbor at the southwestern tip of Lake Superior. Bahman Anvari is an instrumentalist. His first commercially available single, “Monir,” is featured in this episode and features Radean Anvari on guitar and arrangements by Elton Farokh Ahi. Links

Point Aux Barques Lighthouse

Built in 1847 to warn ships of a dangerous reef, Point Aux Barques Lighthouse in Port Hope, Michigan originally stood for only nine years before being razed and rebuilt. The original construction had used inferior materials that could not withstand the stress of severe weather. The new tower and keeper’s dwelling that stands today was finished in 1857. Its third-order fresnel lens, with an electric light since 1932, still serves Lake Huron ships. Fully automated since the 1950s, the lighthouse is now part of a park and museum. Chuck Loeb is a guitarist, composer, and producer. Known for his smooth jazz recordings, he is a versatile artist who has explored various other musical styles including classical

Beaver Bay Falls, Minnesota

Most of the impressive waterfalls in the United States are well-documented and well-traveled. Many are located in parks and some even have a infrastructure or nearby tourism economy to accommodate sightseeing. The falls of the Beaver River in Minnesota is not one of these falls. Right next to the city of Beaver Bay– population 181– these falls flow under Minnesota Highway 61 and empty into Lake Superior. If not for the relative isolation of Lake Superior’s North Shore, it’s hard to imagine these beautiful and dramatic falls wouldn’t be more famous. 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

Tag Archives: great lakes

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore