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.
Tag: Pennsylvania
HITstravaganza 2022
The annual HIT 12-hour improv marathon festival! You never know what kind of surprise shows will happen at Hitstravaganza!
Winter Hiking by the creek
I arrived at Canoe Creek State Park just in time to watch a short but steady snowstorm from the comfort of my warm car. As the snowflakes slowed, I found a fun trail to travel up and down hills for a bit to get back on track with my plan for hiking. In addition to…
A weekend getaway for some R&R
The Lily Inn, located right in Historic Burlington, New Jersey offered me a cozy room on the top floor with a view of the street below, decorated for the holiday season. With a king-sized bed, jetted tub, and in-room TV that I could connect my Roku Streaming Device to, I felt like I was living in luxury.
A weekend of scenic drives to 4 PA State Parks
On Saturday I traveled up and down the mountains from Bald Eagle State Park to nearby Black Moshannon State Park, Whipple Dam State Park, and Greenwood Furnace State Park. The first stop at each park was to get my passport stamp for the 52 State Park Challenge that I’ve been doing this year.
Fall Foliage, Camping, and Hiking at Raymond B Winter State Park
A crisp, fall afternoon of hiking followed by roasted marshmallows over a campfire is my ideal fall weekend, which I was lucky to enjoy recently at Raymond B Winter State Park. I drove up late on Friday evening (November 5th) and set up my tent to a walk-in site. Surrounded by the forest and a few other campers, I had an enjoyable time listening to podcasts and audiobooks while stargazing.
Morning walks followed by afternoon swimming
This past weekend I strolled down shaded trails to discover beautiful landscapes, to hear the beautiful sounds of the forest, and to enjoy photographing nature. After my walk I cooled off by taking to the beach! All of this and more I experienced just one hour away from Harrisburg. On my continued mission to visit 52 Pennsylvania State Parks in 2021 I was able to add two more to the list.
Keep cool ;) Summer Hiking Adventures!~
The heat of summer has arrived and I’m seeking places with a place to cool down right now! In my pursuit of hiking at 52 Pennsylvania State Parks in 2021 I am focused on parks that have a lake, or stream to dip my toes into during or after a hike – AND hiking earlier!~
Reflecting on the Lancaster Balloon Festival offers perspectives for Gratitude
“I’d be smiling and chatting away, and my mind would be floating around somewhere else, like a balloon with a broken string.” ― Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Lancaster is known for its Pennsylvania Dutch foods and the Amish population to most of the country but it also is home to the annual Lancaster Hot-Air…
Being Present on a Peaceful Trail Ride
At the beginning of this year, on January 1st, I went on a trail hike with my friend Adrienne. We talked about the goals we had for the year and what things we wanted to try. Among the many activities I had hoped to do, horseback riding was one. I’ve never been horseback riding and…
New partners and projects: Learning to grow a photo business for success in 2020
By offering a portfolio not just on my website, but also on Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock, I hope to grow my visibility as a stock photographer. I’m also working to align with Creative Market soon to allow stock photography on their platform. So I am making a decision to try to grow a stock portfolio and see what happens over the next year with revenue. Now that I have some more clarity with the direction, and I’ve done some extensive traveling, I have a new body of work to share with the world and that’s exciting!
Last weekend at Glen Onoko Falls
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, and find eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no life but this.” ― Henry David Thoreau As sweat collected on my brow and my breathing deepened, my heart…
Laughter is the key to spark energy and creativity
“The immediate expression of our truth releases light and warmth, that influences the life we are part of, this is the way our spirit shines!” – Mark Nepo I like being productive, having energy, and being focused on purpose, doing the work I love that inspires me. The kind of work that doesn’t feel like…
Improv = Laughs & Learning to Listen
“THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities.” – Tina Fey Recently I attended the Steel Stacks Improv Festival for a laugh-all-day, no breaks, improv-all-day event that was jam-packed with talented people doing amazing improv comedy on stage. It was awesome and so much fun. Yes, And… that’s what Improv is all about. Accepting what is presented,…
The 2018 Year in Photos & Review
What was time very well spent this year? Self Development, Journaling – I’ve developed the daily habit of journaling my thoughts using the Daily Stoic Journal, as well as a notebook, and now I’m also using the Sweet Ass Journal to Develop Your Happiness Muscle in 100 Days. Journaling has not only helped me better…
Balance at Raymondskill Falls
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations On a recent hike, I found myself working to keep myself balanced on rocks in a stream, to keep from falling in, getting my tennis shoes wet. It takes an effort to keep from…
Rediscovering Annville, my hometown
“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” ― Seneca, Letters from a Stoic Recently I took on a challenge to walk around my hometown of Annville, PA as a tourist. I’ve always wanted to…
Feeling Connected at Sweet Arrow Lake
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ― Brené Brown As I walked on the trails of Sweet Arrow Lake with my friend Jen, I felt a…
Discovering Japanese culture and traditions at the Cherry Blossom Festival
“You will never know the moon or stars, unless you breathe in their solar system and inspect it from many diverse vantage points as possible.” ― Shannon L. Alder The world really is an interesting place in which to discover unique history, inspiring people, and fascinating sights. Although I have my sights set on traveling…
Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival 2018
{Photos by Deb Schell created on March 11, 2018} I attended the 5th Annual Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival this past weekend. Check out my photos from some of the artists. More Photos
Light at Little Buffalo State Park
Last Sunday, in 11-degree weather, I ventured out solo to Little Buffalo State Park for a winter hiking adventure. Recently I decided to make changes to choices I make by stepping up instead of stepping back. I know that I can handle the cold, and I look forward to being in nature, so there’s no reason…
Inspiration, Meditation, and the joy in being alone at Caledonia State Park
“True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts.” ― Brené Brown Last Sunday I decided to travel to Caledonia State Park, which is in Adams and Franklin counties, midway between Chambersburg and Gettysburg along the Lincoln Highway, US…
Artwork @ McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
I’m proud to share this project that I worked with Nancie Hart on for the last year. It means so much that my artwork/photographs will be up on the walls of this office for many years to come. Nine of my photographs of the Harrisburg area have been selected for an art project, of which…
Losing my ego while hiking at Colonel Denning State Park
“Ego says, “Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace.” Spirit says, “Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.” ― Marianne Williamson A few weeks ago I went on a 5-hour hike at Colonel Denning State Park that took me up and down Blue Mountain in Tuscarora State Forest. I’ve been wanting…
Enjoying the journey at Mill Creek Falls
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson Today I learned a bit of patience, gratitude, strength, and kindness. All of this while walking in nature. I ventured to Mill Creek Falls, located near River Rd., Airville, PA. The trip took me about an hour to drive there, but just…
Coffee & Art during 3rd in the Burg
Support local business on St. Patrick’s Day by coming out for 3rd in the Burg! Stop by Dalicia’s Bakery & Coffee Shop on Friday, March 17 from 6-9 p.m. for some great treats, coffee by Little Amps, and art by several local artists including me! The shop, open for just about a year, is located…
New work up at Zeroday Brewing Co.
My Exhibit “The City I See: Chaos & Calm” is on display at Zeroday Brewing Co. in Midtown Harrisburg. The artwork will be up Feb. 17 – March 16. I’m so excited to announce some new work that I’ll be showing this month! The images attempt to show my feelings of confusion about where I…
Peace Exhibit up at Yellow Bird Cafe
Digital Photography by Deb Schell/2017 The Peace Images Exhibit is a collection of photographs of peaceful and scenic landscapes, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. These images each remind me of a time when I felt at peace. While on a hike, while sitting by the river, while by the lake, sitting alone, or sitting with a…
Travel. Hike. Click. Write. 