2410, 2011

Hansen Bay, St. John

Tropical Beaches
530

Hansen Bay, on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits just outside of Virgin Islands National Park, which encompasses most of the island. Perfect beaches, some of them privately owned, surround the bay, just isolated enough to allow a relaxing break from the more crowded beaches on the island. 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 contemporary jazz greats including David Benoit, Dave Koz, and Chris Botti. Links National

1710, 2011

West Point Lighthouse, Washington

Lighthouses
538

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

0910, 2011

Saint Petersburg, Russia

World Cities & Harbors
499

Like many Eastern European countries, St. Petersburg struggled for much of the 20th century (mostly while known as Petrograd or Leningrad). It witnessed most of the Russian Revolution in the early part of the century and went on to be devastated by a lengthy Nazi siege during World War II. After the war, the city continued to struggle under the stress of political and economic forces. Still, St. Petersburg is a beautiful city with a unique skyline and many historical and architectural sights. One of the most distinctive, featured in this video, is the spire of the the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the oldest landmark in the city and the resting place of nearly all Russia’s

2408, 2011

Old Mackinac Point Light

Lighthouses
592

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

1408, 2011

James R. Barker

Shipwatching
458

The Great Lakes freighter James R. Barker was built in 1976 for the Interlake Steampship Company. One of the first thousand-footers on the Lakes (the first being the Stewart J. Cort), the James R. Barker is named for the President and Chairman of the Board of Interlake Steamship Company. Another ship, the Kaye E. Barker, is named for his wife and is featured in the full version of this episode. The St. Marys River channel connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron and is the site of the Soo Locks in the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario. The locks carry ships past the natural rapids of the St. Marys and were constructed in

1208, 2011

Columbus, Ohio

American Cities
453

Columbus, the capital and largest city of Ohio, is one of the healthiest economic and cultural centers in the United States. A scenic cityscape, service-based economy, and wide assortment of cultural attractions makes the city one of the nation’s best places to work, play, or visit. This eScapes video features a scenic view of the Columbus skyline from across the Scioto River, including the striking art deco LeVeque Tower. Legend has it that the tower was built to be exactly one foot taller than the Washington Monument– though promoted as such, modern measurements show the difference to be less than one inch. Other landmarks in this scene include the stainless steel gavel outside the Ohio Supreme

0208, 2011

Indianapolis, Indiana

American Cities
409

The beautiful Indiana Statehouse commands attention in downtown Indianapolis, but there’s far more to this Midwestern city than its role as a state capital. The Indianapolis cityscape is notable for its emphasis on nature and outdoor activity. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a 20-mile-long biking and walking path, takes residents and visitors on a scenic walk throughout the city, connecting its major cultural centers. Also adjacent to the trail is White River State Park, a beautiful urban green space perfect for recreation or relaxation away from the activity of the city. 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

1407, 2011

Trunk Bay, St. John

Tropical Beaches
401

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,

0807, 2011

Detroit, Michigan (Sunset from Belle Isle)

The skyline of Detroit, Michigan is dominated by the distinctive Renaissance Center. Best known as the world headquarters of General Motors, the seven-skyscraper complex includes the Detroit Marriott, the tallest all-hotel tower outside of Asia and the tallest building in the state of Michigan. Across the Detroit River lies Windsor, Ontario. The Ambassador Bridge to Canada, another distinctive part of the Detroit skyline, has connected the two cities since 1929. More than 25 percent of all trade between the United States and Canada crosses this bridge. Herbie Russ is a Michigan native and an accomplished saxophonist, keyboardist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter. His melodic style combines smooth jazz, urban contemporary, and pop music, and his performances can