2002, 2012

Columbia River Trainwatching

Trainwatching
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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

0210, 2011

Saint Paul Trainwatching

Trainwatching
485

Railroads are a significant part of the history and culture of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed “The Last City in the East,” Saint Paul was a hub on the “Milwaukee Road,” the railroad network that stretched from the Great Lakes to northwest Washington. It was also the headquarters of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways. Today, Saint Paul is still a hub for rail traffic and provides plenty of venues for trainwatching. The Twin City Model Railroad Museum even lets visitors watch trains from the comfort of the indoors– albeit on a smaller scale. This eScapes video takes you to the St. Paul neighborhood of Dayton’s Bluff, which offers a great view of four busy rail

1308, 2011

Machu Picchu

Few South American archaeological sites are as stunning as Peru’s Machu Picchu. In the middle of a mountain forest nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, this Inca city uses natural materials to create an aesthetic harmony with its natural surroundings. This site was one of the last sanctuaries for the Inca Empire as it fell to Spanish colonialism. In fact, the Spaniards were never able to find Machu Picchu and it remained hidden until 1911. As a result, it is a notably intact archaeological site although it is threatened by increasing tourism and commercial infiltration. Outside the city, the tranquil Andes Mountains are home to a variety of interesting wildlife, including Peru’s famous llamas. A pair