2010, 2011

Avenue of the Giants, California

Scenic Earth
506

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

1009, 2011

Zion National Park

Scenic Earth
522

Zion National Park, the largest of Utah’s five national parks, was once largely covered with a shallow sea. Sediments from this sea cemented into limestone, mudstones, and sandstones that can now be seen everywhere in what is now a desert environment. Millions of years of uplifting have raised huge blocks of land far above sea level, resulting in the stunning cliffs that have become a signature of the park. The scenic landscape is also home to other unique landforms such as natural freestanding arches. In some spots, opaque rivers full of sediment cut through the rock, providing stunning venues for wading along the park’s many hiking paths. Tim Bowman is a jazz guitarist who pulls from

0107, 2011

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Scenic Earth
422

There are few landscapes as dramatic as the American West, and few drives as stunning as Utah’s Scenic Byway 12. Passing through many of Utah’s natural wonders, the United States Government has designated Route 12 an “All-American Road” for its beautiful scenery and for being a “destination unto itself.” The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers 1.9 million acres. Millions of years of geologic stress have folded the Grand Staircase region into stunning cliffs and unique landforms. The geologic history evident in the these rock formations is the basis for Route 12’s nickname, “A Journey Through Time.” Halcyon Shore is a husband-and-wife musical duo that specializes in uplifting instrumental rock. “The premier cinematic concert experience,” Halcyon Shore’s