Blink 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Travel Spirit

Last night I went with a friend to Blink in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s an annual global art display, spanning 30-blocks, with 39 large-scale projection mappings, murals, interactive light sculptures, music from over 80 bands, and diverse entertainment from both local and international artists. It lasts for four evenings. We walked about three miles to see about two-thirds of it.

This is in an area called Over-the-Rhine

Washington Park, also in the Over-the-Rhine area, had some beautiful installations.

Cincinnati Music Hall

Fountain Square

There’s even a parade

One wall of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

My friend Scott

Next to the Moerlein Lager House near the Ohio River

The Banks area near the riverfront

The beautiful John A. Roebling Suspension bridge crossing the Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky

I highly recommend taking a road trip to visit Cincinnati during this event!

Eden Park to Mt. Adams Hike in Cincinnati, Ohio

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Travel Spirit

I had a date Saturday morning to take an urban hike. I suggested meeting at Eden Park Overlook and hiking to Mt. Adams…approximately 3 miles round trip.

Eden Park

Eden Park Overlook

We took a break at The Bow Tie Cafe and had some water. The view was gorgeous!

View from the Holy Cross Immaculata Church

He wasn’t a match, but it was a beautiful day!

2018 in Review (a little late)

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Travel Spirit

2018 began with a photo shoot for Cincinnati Refined. This is called Broomball. Players wear gym shoes instead of skates and use a broom-shaped stick to slap the ball into the opposing goal.

Here are additional shoots I did for them. This annual event was called the Polar Plunge…burr.

The Benison Event Center in Hamilton, Ohio. At one time, it was a bank.

The Monkey Bar & Grille in Maineville, Ohio (a suburb of Cincinnati)

Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, Ohio

Wine Over Water, held on the Purple People Bridge (a pedestrian only bridge), featuring wine merchants from around the area, live music, and general mingling fun in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The UniverSoul Circus was a quite spectacular!

The annual Flying Pig Marathon. This was the women’s champion. I got a little emotional while taking this photo.

The Camargo Hunter Trials in Indian Hill, Ohio was a great event for action shots!

I was very busy growing my business, Cincinnati Urban Adventures. I had hired two freelance Tour Guides in 2017 and together we took 1000 people on tours (anywhere from 1-12 people per tour unless it was a private tour). By the end of 2018, I had hired an additional 3 guides and we took 1700 people on tour. We moved into first place on Trip Advisor!

I did a handful of photo shoots for my business Sherry Lachelle Photography…

A senior photo shoot

For a friend’s new business website…

On June 2^nd, my husband of 22 years, passed away from Cardiac Arrest. I gave him CPR until the medics arrived. This is the last photo I took of he and our dog, just a few weeks previously.

We lived on 5 acres in the country (only 40 minutes from downtown Cincinnati) and for the following 11 months before selling our home, I had the huge task of selling most everything he/we had accumulated through the years. Some of the big items were a boat, Harley, hot tub, jeep, truck, car, tractor, log splitter, and so much more…4 bicycles, 3 chain saws, 3 lawn mowers, 3 ladders, snow blower, power washer, welder, hunting, fishing, golfing stuff, so many tools.

I was devastated. My son was devastated. He was closer to Randy (his step-dad) than his own father.

Later that year, my son and his girlfriend announced their engagement.

I went to an outdoor concert with friends and it poured rain the entire time.

Went boating with a girlfriend…

I visited a friend in Dunedin, Florida for a week in December…

I was so happy my son joined me at my brother’s house Christmas Day. His fiance chose to stay at her family’s.

After Randy’s passing, so many things reminded me of him, coming across food items he liked while at the grocery, hearing a Harley’s rumble, and of course Face book gives you reminders.

There were other family and friends get-togethers throughout the year. I tried my best to cope with the grief and have a happy and full life.

2017 in Review (a little late)

Posted on January 8, 2022 by Travel Spirit

2017 began with me on assignment at the Casino in Cincinnati for Cincinnati Refined. A very colorful and loud party to photograph.

I continued finding much joy taking photos in my free time…like the sunrise captured in this church window a couple of minutes from our place in the country.

and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati at night…

The Licking Riverside Historic District in Covington, Kentucky with a beautiful view of Cincinnati’s skyline.

Get-togethers with friends…

Family time…

My brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece.

I was busy growing my new business, Cincinnati Urban Adventures. Friends accompanied me on trial runs for some of the tours.

My husband, son, and a girlfriend were models on my Over-the-Rhine Sights and Bites tour for my website.

I hired a few models for my Beyond the River tour in Covington, Kentucky.

Here are some of the photos shoots I did for Cincinnati Refined…

**Eighteen at the Radisson – a revolving restaurant on top of the Radisson Hotel**

**Cabana on the River, Cincinnati, Ohio**

**Diner en Blanc (everyone wears white and brings everything for the party including chairs/tables, decorations, food, drinks)**

**Taste of Cincinnati, an annual event**

**The Thanksgiving Day Race – I got up very early to be downtown in time and it was cold!**

**The La Boheme Opera at the Aronoff Center in Downtown, Cincinnati**

I began managing an Airbnb located in Covington, Kentucky…

I had a few photo shoots for my own company, Sherry Lachelle Photography. A senior photo shoot…

A family photo shoot…

I was the Tour Guide and Photographer for a wedding with 40 people. It was 5 hours long, but everything went smoothly.

And I photographed my first gay wedding – 2 beautiful ladies.

I attended an annual weeklong Urban Adventures meeting in Portugal and arranged a trip to follow for a few friends. They met me in Lisbon, Portugal, where we saw the sights for a few days before moving on to Seville and Granada, Spain.

Cheers – Salud!

My husband and I were able to get away to Florida for a week in December.

As you can see, my year was very busy, filled mostly with photography and growing my business, with a little travel sprinkled in.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Travel Spirit

I finally visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center yesterday! Opened in 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, according to the Center, their mission is to reveal stories of freedom’s heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring everyone to take courageous steps of freedom today. They serve to inspire modern abolition through connecting the lessons of the Underground Railroad with today’s freedom fighters.

The museum’s eternal flame is representative of the candles that were placed in the windows of Underground Railroad operators and there’s a scenic view of the Ohio River and Kentucky shoreline.

Taken from their website–some of the exhibits are:

The Struggle Continues examines the desire to fight for freedom around the world and reminds us that slavery in many forms and guises continues to exist in the world around us. Iconic and abstract images on each of two long, facing walls, symbolize and evoke freedom and slavery throughout the world. The images are accompanied by audio that creates an intriguing yet reflective mood.

This exhibit explores six conditions or circumstances – which we call “unfreedoms” – that prevent people from achieving freedom and protect basic human rights. These unfreedoms are hunger, illiteracy, slavery, racism, tyranny and genocide.

From Slavery to Freedom portrays three centuries of slavery from its introduction into the Americas to its abolition at the end of the American Civil War. The exhibit describes who the enslaved were, why they were brought here, how they lived, how they worked, and also who their allies were – and how ultimately they became free!

One of the museum’s key attractions is a walk-through exhibit documenting the rise and fall of the slave trade in the United States and North America. Starting with the European colonization of Africa, the exhibit follows the journey of slaves from their homeland to aiding the Union in the American Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement of the mid 20th Century.

Invisible: Slavery Today is the world’s first museum-quality, permanent exhibition on the subjects of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Using a variety of techniques and media, this exhibit offers a comprehensive examination of slavery in the modern world through the life experiences of five individuals who were caught up in one of the five most common forms of exploitation: forced labor, bonded indenture, child slavery, sex trafficking and domestic servitude.

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Santa Rappels Down Macy’s Building

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Travel Spirit

On assignment for Cincinnati Refined, I recently took photos in downtown Cincinnati of an event called Macy’s Downtown Dazzle. Arriving early I captured my required “posed people” shots before Santa was due to rappel down the side of Macy’s Department store.

The atmosphere was festive! Ice skaters at Fountain Square were fun to watch!

A cup of hot chocolate warms you from the inside!

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Cincinnati Flower Show at Yeatman’s Cove

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Travel Spirit

The Cincinnati Flower Show, hosted by the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, kicked off its 26th year with a profusion of breathtaking floral beauty! According to the Society, it “dedicates itself to promoting the environmental, aesthetic, and educational benefits for parks and green spaces, and to providing opportunities for the enjoyment and appreciation of nature and horticulture.” The show has evolved into five days of garden-inspired shopping, international exhibitors and judges, guest speakers, nature inspired art, and gardening activities.

This year’s exhibition is set up along the Ohio River at Yeatman’s Cove and you’ll find tents filled with floral displays, dramatic table settings, and creative and unique container gardens. So many ideas for transforming your own gardens into a spectacular space!

The tents provided a nice backdrop for my favorite flower…the tulip!

Cincinnati’s infamous Findlay Market (farmer’s market) was used as inspiration in this display…

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Ohio Bucket List

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Travel Spirit

Miles of pristine forested hiking, outdoor cafes, resplendent architecture, astonishing views, thrilling adventures, intoxicating gardens! Does this sound like your kind of get-away? Ohio has all of this and more! Here are a few of my favorite places…

The Fling Barn (Hillsboro, Ohio)

Situated on a 200-acre farm, an hour East of Cincinnati, The Fling Barn is a well-kept secret (well…not anymore) where you’re guaranteed to have a good time! Stuffed to the gills with Americana décor, featuring two bars, a dance floor, outdoor deck, and live rock n blues…it don’t get much better than that! In case you have too much fun, they have their very own Bed & Breakfast for your convenience, if it’s available.

~view from The Fling Barn (Images: Sherry Lachelle Photography)

Put-in-Bay

Located on Lake Erie, just over 4 hours North of Cincinnati, Put-in-Bay is Ohio’s split personality playground with a wild side to dive into…pretty people in skimpy bathing suits guzzling tropical adult beverages, but hop on a golf cart and within minutes you’re transported to a lake-side paradise of glistening blue water, rolling hills, and tranquility!

(Images: Sherry Lachelle Photography)

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Hiking at Buzzardroost Rock & don’t forget the Wine

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Travel Spirit

Buzzardroost Rock is a moderately difficult 3.5 – 4.4 mile round trip trail (depending on where you begin) in the Edge of Appalachia Preserve system of Adams County, Ohio. Far above the waters of Ohio Brush Creek, the panoramic scene from this hilltop has been called Ohio’s most spectacular view. I organized the hike through Tri-State Hiking Club, one of my meetup.com organizations and guided approximately 20 people. Most of us met at a carpool location because the trail is almost an hour and one-half from Cincinnati.

The view is outstanding!

Here I am looking quite triumphant having reached the top.

All of the colorful jackets and accessories added some pizzazz to the dreary scenery!

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Unwind and uncork a bottle at these 3 Local Wineries

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Travel Spirit

Meranda-Nixon Winery

If you’re lucky, like I was, when you arrive at the Meranda-Nixon Winery, you’ll be greeted by one of the proprietors’ friendly dogs. You may even see one of their beautiful horses as you gaze at the lush vineyards.

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Western & Southern Open

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Travel Spirit

The Western & Southern Open is being held August 9 – 17, 2014, here in Cincinnati, Ohio and I was on assignment today. It was my first experience taking tennis photographs and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s been a long day. I began by leaving my home at 7:30am and returned after noon. The remainder of the day (until 8:30pm) I’ve spent editing photos. I think I did fairly well for my first time.

After researching the players, I decided to photograph the match between Ben Becker from Germany and Malek Jaziri from Tunisia…

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The Color Run in Cincinnati

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Travel Spirit

The Color Run (aka “The Happiest 5K on the Planet”) took place in Cincinnati on Saturday morning and that meant there were clouds of color, smiling faces, and sweaty bodies! The Color Run is this and so much more. It represents accomplishment for many for running or walking a 5K and just a fun time for others! I was so happy to have this assignment for Cincinnati Refined (previously known as iSPYCINCY) and arrived downtown Cincinnati early to capture all of the excitement! Being a jogger myself, part of me wished I was participating…but either way, I was happy to be there!

I can’t help it…I love to photograph girls in brightly colored tutus and mis-matched socks!

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Lumenocity

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Travel Spirit

Lumenocity is an annual event held here in Over the Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio at Cincinnati Music Hall. I was invited to the dress rehearsal by a friend and met her and two other girlfriends to have a bite to eat beforehand at a restaurant called Abigail Street right around the corner from Music Hall. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Ballet perform under the white tent shown below while you’re treated to an elaborate and flamboyant light show on the exterior of Music Hall…

Earlier in the evening at Abigail Street Restaurant, I captured a selfie in the mirror of the lovely shabby chic ladies’ restroom…

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Summer Fun

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Travel Spirit

Bouncing on the water, holding on tight, our friend had tons of fun tubing behind our boat this past weekend! Everyone looks forward to summer because there’s so much to do…Bicycling, concerts in the park, picnics, having a frosty cold drink on the deck, and of course fun in the water! You know it’s summer when you smell freshly cut grass, blooming flowers, and the aroma of grilled food.

I enjoyed honing my photography skills snapping pics from a boat skimming the water at high speeds jostling my camera and I…

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Guinness Book of World Record for the Most People Salsa Dancing

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Travel Spirit

Thursday evening, July 24, 2014 is a day to go down in the record books, specifically the Guinness World Records book, for the City of Cincinnati to beat Mexico’s past record of the largest Salsa dance, with over 2,000 people moving to the rhythm! I was there to capture the excitement and energy for iSPYCINCY taking photographs of the event. Green “Gain” shirts were given out to the attendees, as you can see in the photo…

My husband accompanied me, as usual, and since it was a perfect evening for motorcycle riding, we arrived on our Harley. He dropped me off so I could get started while he parked the bike. My first shot was of this performer on the sidewalk next to Fountain Square…