<i>Lee A. Tregurtha</i> on Detroit River

2308, 2012

Lee A. Tregurtha on Detroit River

Shipwatching
560

In addition to their loads, many Great Lakes freighters carry with them a small part of history, but few have as much history behind them as the ship now known as the Lee A. Tregurtha. Originally planned as the oil tanker Mobiloil, the onset on World War II prompted the U.S. Maritime Commission to take over the ship’s construction and it was soon commissioned into the U.S. Navy under the name USS Chiwawa. From 1942 through 1944, the Chiwawa served in the Atlantic Fleet, refueling vessels along the East Coast and sailing on convoys across the ocean. Eventually it joined the Pacific Fleet for the final months of the war and was decommissioned in May 1946.

2008, 2012

Skagway, Alaska

Scenic Earth
824

Nicknamed the “Gateway to the Klondike,” Skagway, Alaska, was a gold rush boomtown at the end of the 19th century, after gold was found in the Yukon Territory. Situated at the head of a convenient path to the region, the town became Alaska’s first incorporated city and saw thousands of prospectors passing through on their journeys. The famous Jack London novel The Call of the Wild is set in Skagway at this time. Since the end of the gold rush, the population of Skagway has dwindled to less than a thousand, but the area retains a healthy tourism economy based on the town’s history and its cruise ship port, which accounts for three quarters of its

1608, 2012

Miami, Florida

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 A tropical metropolis set beside the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a destination for anyone looking for sunshine, entertainment, and culture. A quickly growing city with one of the most impressive skylines in the United States, Miami’s location has been instrumental to its success. With an ocean on one side of the city, and rich natural spaces on the other, Florida offers residents and visitors the best of urban and natural wonder. Miami is also home to great cultural diversity, particularly from Latin American immigrants. The mix of cultures in

1308, 2012

Marblehead Lighthouse

Lighthouses
744

Ohio’s Marblehead Lighthouse on Lake Erie is the oldest and one of the most popular lighthouses on the Great Lakes. This lighthouse has been in continuous operation since 1822, and, like many, has undergone several transformations in its history. Visitors to the original lighthouse would have seen a rougher limestone tower, ten feet shorter, and a clear fresnel lens lit with a whale oil lantern. Today, a green lens sets the tower’s electric light apart from nearby air beacons. Now completely automated with modern technology, the light is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard and open to the public. Nearby, sightseers can also visit the stone home of the original lighthouse keeper, Benejah Wolcott, a Revolutionary

0908, 2012

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Scenic Earth
715

Situated at the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Copper Harbor is a destination for anyone seeking great scenery and outdoor recreation, year-round. Settled as a successful copper mining town in the mid-1800s, Copper Harbor is home to the oldest lighthouse on Lake Superior, Copper Harbor Light, built in 1848. The harbor itself is also significant for its ferry route to Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park, an island 50 miles away. This eScapes video features a scenic view from a vantage point atop nearby Brockway Mountain. Here, sightseers can absorb a panoramic view of the harbor, the surrounding forests, and the buildings of downtown. Brian Hughes is a contemporary jazz guitarist. He has released several albums

0208, 2012

The Toledo Zoo Aviary

Scenic Earth
759

Founded in 1900, when its only exhibit was a single woodchuck, Ohio’s Toledo Zoo has come a long way to become a nationally recognized institution. Now home to over 9,000 animals from over 800 species, the Toledo Zoo not only promotes family fun, but the conservation of the natural world. One of the oldest buildings at the Toledo Zoo, built during the Depression-era Works Progress Administration, is the award-winning Aviary. The Aviary was remodeled in 1998 to include walk-through exhibits and new interpretive areas, some of which can be seen in this eScapes video. Joe McBride is a smooth jazz pianist and singer. A Missouri native, McBride released his debut album in 1992 and has also

3107, 2012

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Scenic Earth
665

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.

1907, 2012

The Burying Point (Salem, Massachusetts)

Salem, Massachusetts is infamous for its history of witch trials and executions, which took place during 1692 and 1693. The Salem area is now a popular (though sometimes macabre) historical attraction. The witch trials, however, are only a small part of a larger history, and Salem is also significant as an early American settlement dating back to 1626. Salem’s Charter Street Cemetery, also known as “The Burying Point,” has links to many facets of the city’s early history. This scenic cemetery is the second-oldest in the United States, and holds the remains of one of the original Mayflower pilgrims. Also found on the grounds is the grave of Justice John Hathorne, a judge during the witch

2906, 2012

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Lighthouses
701

Michigan’s Old Presque Isle Lighthouse was first lit on Lake Huron in 1840 to mark a natural harbor important to Great Lakes steamships. In the early 19th century, the harbor was a refuge for ships escaping storms and a source of wood for ship engines. Years later, the lighthouse was deemed an insufficient aid to ships and a New Presque Isle Lighthouse was built at the opposite end of the same peninsula. Additionally, a pair of range lights was added to the harbor entrance. Now a public park and museum, visitors can view a restoration of the keeper’s house, learn about the site’s history, climb the original tower, and, of course, tell ghost stories (Old Presque

1406, 2012

Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory

The sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a sharp contrast to the vertical skyline of New York City, the country’s most populous city. Here, a small cluster of downtown skyscrapers is surrounded by miles of relatively low buildings. This is partially due to earthquake-related restrictions on building heights that lasted much of the 20th century. This eScapes scene features a sunset view of the city from Griffith Park atop Mount Hollywood. The famous Griffith Observatory, seen in the foreground, is a public center dedicated to sharing knowledge of astronomy. Both the park and observatory were gifted to the city by mining entrepreneur Griffith J. Griffith at the turn of