The titel of this series - Across the River and Into the Trees ... - refers not so much to the famous novel of Ernest Hemingway, but is meant as a metaphor for my own life. I was born in Wuerzburg, a large town or small city in Lower Franconia, Germany - a stone's throw from the river Main - in one of the most arid regions of the country. I grew up in Hettstadt, a small village some 10 kilometres to the west of Wuerzburg and the river - and but a stone's throw from forests in every direction of the compass rose. As a kid, I was always longing for the river. As an adult, however, having gotten closer to the water with each and every move I made, I began to long for the forest again. Today, I appreciate the value of both, but when in doubt, I will always want - and actually need - to be among trees. Not just among a few, no - among trees like I knew them in the dense forests of my youth: Odenwald, Steigerwald, Rhoen, Spessart ... The profound beauty of living things measuring time in centuries. Peace and quiet. Total balance. Perfect grounding.

This print an exhibition print for Allianz ArtForce5, Munich (10-12/2016) and an exhibition print as "Allianz Re Switzerland Pic(k) of the month" in November 2016. More such photos at http://www.mylenwyd.com/allianzreswitzerlandpickofthemonth. Copyright 2015 Joachim W. Schroeter (jowsch). More photography, travel and other fine things in life at www.mylenwyd.com