Avenue of the Giants, California
The Avenue of the Giants– US Highway 101 in Humboldt County, California– runs for 31 miles through one of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Along the way, the road cuts through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to over 17,000 acres of old-growth coast redwood trees.
These redwoods spurred much of the early settlement in the area. Settlers in the second half of the 1800 found opportunity for logging in the forest, although it could take up to a week to fell one of the giant redwoods.
Much of the redwoods were eventually cut down before conservation movements were born in the early 20th century. Fortunately, preserving the forest created even more economic opportunity through increased tourism, which is a centerpiece of the Humboldt County economy to this day.
Jeff Lorber is a keyboardist and composer who was influential in the jazz fusion movement– the joining of jazz with rock, R&B, and funk elements. Lorber’s innovative jazz style still blends various styles into an innovative sound, as evidenced in the more than 20 albums he has released since 1977.
Links
Avenue of the Giants: US Highway 101
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Official Travel Site of Humboldt County
Jeff Lorber Official Site