There’s nothing quite like a forest to put things back into perspective. Surrounded on all sides by towering trees, sheltering you, the wind whispering overhead, jostling branches, things seem a little calmer, a little less hectic. I suspect if we all swapped the concrete jungle for the forest even for a short time, say an hour a week, we’d all be a lot less stressed. Here are just a few forests I’ve encountered. The magnificent Hoh rainforest on the Olympic peninsula.

Giant redwoods on the Californian coast.

Towering pine forest, a stunning camping spot in Salmon le Sac.

Last but not least,  forest jungle-style, in Guatemala.

So pack your picnic, it’s time to go down to the woods today and fashion your own interpretation of this week’s theme. If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Forest
• Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
• Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
• Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

xxx Ailsa

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. – John Muir

I’m always astonished by a forest. It makes me realise that the fantasy of nature is much larger than my own fantasy. I still have things to learn. – Gunter Grass