August was a packed month with camping,celebrating my sister’s 40th Birthday with a hot air balloon ride, and more! Here’s the roundup of my August adventures.

At the beginning of the month, I planned two camping trips, continuing my challenge to rack up more passport stamps in my PA State Park book. Since the two parks I visited in August didn’t have sister parks really close, I only added two last month, making my total 54.

What I did do with that time was catching up on my art journaling and spent time on the beach at the lake with a book about writing a book.

Lackawanna State Park

Lackawanna State Park is in northern Pennsylvania, 10 miles north of Scranton, you might have heard of this town if you watched the TV show, The Office. The area I was staying, and camping at was pretty remote, so I was thankful that I’d gotten the supplies I needed before heading up to camp. If you go here, make sure to bring wood, it was EXTREMELY hard to find wood at the time I went up there (beginning of August). I didn’t do much hiking due to the heat.

Although there is a lake at Lackawanna State Park, it is reserved for fishing and non-motored boats. Unfortunately, swimming isn’t allowed in the lake. What I did discover is a lake about 20 minutes from the park, that had a great beach. Merli-Sarnoski Park is located in Lackawanna County and has a nice area for fishing, picnicking, and walking.

Locust Lake State Park

Locust Lake State Park, located just northeast of Pottsville is a fantastic 52-acre lake with trails and a great campground. All of the sites at the campground are walk-in and I selected one deep inside the grounds, and farther away from the lake, which meant it was quieter. There is a nice trail that runs from the site to the lake and connects to another system of trails. I enjoyed my visit with fire and walking around the grounds.

Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Ride

For my sister’s 40th birthday we celebrated with a tour of Lancaster, Pennsylvania from the air, soaring in a balloon with a few brave folks. The experience was amazing, and I’d highly recommend it because it is worth the investment to check it off your bucket list. More photos here.

Slowing down, taking a pause in nature

Another thing I’d wanted to do was spend time in Mt. Gretna, a little arty town known for charming cottages, summer camps, and theatre shows, followed by ice cream. My visit to the Gretna Glen Camp and Retreat Center was more of a self-compassionate gift to myself. It was a much needed break from technology and a reminder of the importance of putting myself first.