Finland/Turku - The Forest End!

Our last day was a bit rainy, but the temperatures were still nice so we trekked into the forest that was located behind the housing area where my family lives. There's a lot of social and cultural attachment between Finn and forest. As someone that has studied environmentalism and currently works in an environmental job, I think its fascinating how much the forest reverbs among the Finnish nationality. It's embedded in literature, evident in art, and even produced commercially as my Marimekko hand towel print proves.

(birch tree print by Marimekko)

It felt like the fitting way to wrap up my time spent in the land of Suomi.

(Erin: "Stop what you're doing.....and take our picture!!) (a clearing in the trail that overlooked some lush looking field)
(up the hill we go!!)

(mission accomplished!)

(and back from whence we came!)

I could only imagine how amazing the scene scape would be once summer hit its peak and the greenery was overly abundant. There's also an Every Man's rule still applied in Finland that relates to the forests, specifically the berries and mushrooms that grow in them. You can read more about that here on my family's blog. Pretty cool!

And so, we got back on a plane the next day and returned to the States. I'll spare you the details of that long travel day : ) I'll miss you Finland. It was a great trip and I can't thank my family enough for the devoted time spent to make it such a memorable and enjoyable visit! LOVE YOU ALL and until next time....