Join us on our journey to visit every state park in Illinois, followed by drinks. Follow to see where we go next! Contact [email protected]
Chicago, IL
Joined August 2021
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In case anyone missed it, here is the story we were featured in on WGN. youtu.be/RH7C-wepGyQ?si=VUvE…
Thanks to Erin McElroy for hanging out with us!
Our 2026 Year in Review is here!
Looking back at our park adventures and local small business stops is the perfect motivation as we prepare to finish our entire Illinois map in 2027.
#FreshAirFriendship #IllinoisStateParks #YearInReview #ShopLocalIL #RecoveryJourney
We faced intense bugs and overgrown paths at Fox Ridge State Park, but the stunning valleys and a perfect post-hike winery trip to Warren James Winery saved the day. Read our full, honest account of our adventure: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
#StatePark #IllinoisHiking #EnjoyIllinois
102 State Parks down, and Southern Illinois continues to blow us away!
We officially hit number 102 at Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. If you love hiking, quiet lake views, and getting out into nature, put this spot on your Illinois bucket list.
Thanks to Dr. Shah & the team at @IBJI Steph’s hip arthroscopy was a success! She’s already counting down to state park #115
The hard work begins now—navigating with a walker is exhausting, but she’s using the couch time to prep fresh content for you all!
Illinois State Park visit 101: Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area. No maintained trails, but lots of cool old trees. Finished off with a trip to Dry Ground Brewing.
#IllinoisStateParks #EnjoyIllinois #StateParkGoal #MidwestExplorers #HikingIllinois
5 more Illinois parks checked off, making 21 this year & 114 total! 🙌 Despite a June detour, we got it done.
Next up: Steph’s hip surgery this week. Recovery will be tough, but those final 21 parks next year are all the motivation she needs.
#RoadToRecovery #ParkChasers
Our final day in Southern Illinois brought us to Sielbeck Forest SNA (park #101) where with an eagle spotting, and Mermet Lake SFWA (park #102) for a great walk by the water. Finished up with drinks in Paducah. Full breakdown and honest review: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
Park 100 is officially complete. We celebrated this milestone at Fort Massac State Park by hiking the scenic Hickory Nut Trail along the Ohio River, then took a detour to see Superman at the Super Museum.
#IllinoisHiking #FortMassac #SuperMuseum #EnjoyIllinois #Park100
For our 100th state park, we visited Fort Massac State Park, the 1st state park in Illinois. We hiked a trail along the Ohio River, visited the Superman town of Metropolis, and reflected on 5 years of this journey.
26 parks left to go!
Full blog: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
Park 99 is officially in the books!
Cave-In-Rock State Park completely blew us away. Walking into that massive, historic limestone cavern right on the banks of the Ohio River is unforgettable.
Grabbed lunch at the park restaurant too. Southern Illinois is full of surprises!
We had a great couple days exploring western Illinois state parks, hitting the winery, brewery, distillery trifecta across the border in Iowa, and finished with a celebratory @Chilis trip.
109 state parks down, 26 to go!
Illinois state parks are more than just forests. Cave-In-Rock State Park breaks the mold with a massive cavern right on the Ohio River beach! Pair it with Golconda Marina for the perfect mini day trip.
Read our full itinerary:
freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
Today marks 5 years of Fresh Air Friendship.
106 state parks later, surviving every hurdle, it’s bittersweet knowing next year is our final chapter.
Thank you for walking this path with us. Let’s make these last 29 parks unforgettable.
#FiveYearsOfAdventures #IllinoisStateParks
What a fun weekend visiting Lake Shelbyville SFWA (park 105) and Hidden Springs State Forest (park 106). Finished the trip with drinks at 1905 Brewing and Brentford Distillery.
Only 129 parks to go! We will be back out Labor Day weekend.
Uncrowded canyons, a historic train tunnel, and… basil wine? 🌿🍷
Day 2 in Southern Illinois completely blew us away!
From Dixon Springs SP to Tunnel Hill ST, read our full breakdown here: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
Day 1 of our April trip: 10/10 views, 0/10 for the bees that almost killed us.
From escaping a swarm at Saline County SFWA (Park #94) to the epic overlooks at Garden of the Gods and calm waters at Sahara Woods SRA (#95), it was wild.
Read how we survived: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
State Park 104: Green River State Wildlife Area. Steph’s first hike since finding out about her hip. She’s feeling surprisingly well, all things considered. Turns out hiking poles help.
Expected a flat, standard walk at the I&M Canal State Trail, but ended up FaceTime-calling our entire family over an incredible, up-close bald eagle sighting.
Read our full review: freshairfriendship.com/2026/…
