Travelogues & History

The Waters of Yosemite: A Tale of Nature’s Majesty
Nestled within the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California lies Yosemite National Park, a land of breathtaking natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. The waters that have shaped its iconic landscape stand among the park's many natural wonders. ...
Restoring the LA River
For most of the past century, natural waterways in Southern California have existed as lifeless concrete channels. Efforts to “regreen” some of those once-beautiful waters have given rise to hopes that the Los Angeles River, and others like it, will one day recapture their former natural health and riparian beauty.   ...
The Fascinating World of Geysers
Geysers stand out among nature’s most enigmatic and spectacular watershape wonders, inspiring awe as they shoot scalding water and steam into the air. But how do geysers work? What is the natural mechanism behind these showy geological marvels? Here’s a look beneath the surface. ...
Roman Aqueducts: Masterworks of Classic Engineering
The aqueducts it built stand as enduring symbols of the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Roman Empire. They are among the world’s most historically significant and celebrated man-made hydraulic structures, as they continue to inspire architects and engineers to this day. ...
Riding the Tides (25 years of WaterShapes)
Since its debut in February 1999 as an innovative print magazine, WaterShapes has spent the past 25 years exploring the art and science of water – and the oceans of possibilities waiting to be discovered along the way. As Eric Herman shares in this special retrospective, the long journey through the world of water has been its own unique reward.   ...
Mythic Beauty
Her name is Kópakonan, but she is also known as “The Seal Wife,” a mythical figure known as a “selkie.” Immortalized in Nordic legend, a stunning bronze stature celebrates the rich oceanic folklore of remote Faroe Islands, and the power of art in a dramatic aquatic setting. ...
Mosaics of Experience
What started out as an Italy trip devoted to the pursuit of fine food and wine, Lea and George Frederick, wound up deeply imbibing in the world of mosaic art at a remarkable facility in Vincenza. Here they share a slice of travelogue and images that point to the remarkable possibilities of artistically arranged bits of glass tile.   ...
Finding a Southern Treasure
Protecting its most beautiful waters and landscapes is a cultural priority seen as a civic responsibility in New Zealand. One example can be found in a shimmering body of water known as Te Waikoporopupu Springs, which stands among the island nation’s dreamlike places that are being treasured and preserved for future generations – and a great reason to visit. ...
The Divine & Deadly Pit of Mystery
Bodies of water are often the center of attention, especially those located in historic settings. When the water is the subject of mystery and folklore, interest can be piqued even higher. That’s certainly the case for a spring known as Fosse Dionne in France’s Burgundy region, where the water is shrouded in death, myth and mystery. ...
End of the Endless Summer
The lives of beach bums, surfer girls and hodads everywhere have become less comfortable in recent years, observes Eric Herman. In fact, the summer of 2023 might stand as the most unpleasant beach season ever, and one that sadly concluded with the passing of summer's high priest, Jimmy Buffett.  ...