The quest to visit all Illinois’ state parks and fully enjoy it

Stephanie Swieca and Emma Magrady rode the 92 CTA bus down Foster Avenue to and from Northside School Prep, starting as freshman in 2008. That become a seamless friendship.

“There was a gaggle of six of us ladies from highschool who nonetheless hang around,” mentioned Swieca, who grew up in Dunning whereas Magrady was from Jefferson Park.

The half dozen “gal friends” would do yearly journeys collectively to Galena, Door County, Wisconsin Dells, St. Joseph, Michigan, and, most frequently, Starved Rock.

Dealing with Covid restrictions led Swieca and Magrady to broaden these getaways into undertaking Contemporary Air Friendship to go to all Illinois’ state parks.

“Particularly popping out of Covid, we had troubles with psychological well being,” mentioned Swieca, who has lived with generalized nervousness dysfunction a lot of her life.

They sought a technique to get away from “doomscrolling” and located it within the state parks.

“Put the cellphone away and type of get misplaced in nature; it’s been tremendously helpful for us.” Swieca mentioned.

On a sensible stage, they take a look at maps and use the AllTrails app.

“We don’t have too strict of a plan, it’s not the tip of the world if we don’t do precisely what we wish to do,” Swieca mentioned.

They’re hoping to complete all of the parks in 5 years however they “are going with the circulation.”

They got here up with 132 or 135 parks from the Illinois Division of Pure Sources’ on-line itemizing and the Illinois State Parks information. That checklist consists of some State Forests, State Fish and Wildlife Areas and State Recreation Areas.

“So whereas watching “Tiger King,” I began this insane spreadsheet of each single state park in Illinois, probably not considering a lot would come of it,” Swieca wrote on their web site.

Their plan consists of visiting a brewery, vineyard, distillery or different place of curiosity. They provide views by blogs (freshairfriendship.com), Instagram posts/tales (instagram.com/fresh_air_friendship), and TikTok movies (tiktok.com/@fresh_air_friendship).

First was Illinois Seashore SP.

“The primary couple we had no concept what we have been doing,” Swieca mentioned. “Now we’re extra seasoned hikers. What we do now’s wander round.”

On Starved Rock visits, they they loved August Hill Vineyard in Utica.

“We determined so as to add this different half, possibly there are people who find themselves not good at [at hiking],” Swieca mentioned. “I used to be raised very city. I knew the right way to deal with the CTA however was by no means a Woman Scout.

“The primary factor is to encourage everybody. You don’t need to be a rugged outdoorsman. You may simply sit and take a look at the lake.”

Their favourite to this point is Rock Minimize, close to Rockford, with its large lake and rock formations. Weldon Springs is as far south as they’ve gotten of their first 32 parks.

“We’re wanting ahead to going south,” Swieca mentioned. “I’m excited in regards to the Cave-in-Rock.”

“I imagine that given the chance, everybody ought to journey,” wrote Magrady, who has traveled internationally. “And if the chance doesn’t come, native/home stuff might be simply as rewarding with out placing as a lot effort in. I’m hoping to show that true with this undertaking.”

Magrady does the writing and pictures (with a Nikon COOLPIX B500).

“I do the videography, TikTok and Instagram reels,” Swieca mentioned. “We type of have our roles.”

Swieca, 29, earned her bachelor’s in advertising and marketing from the College of Iowa and at the moment substitute teaches. Magrady, 28, earned her bachelor’s in theater design from Columbia School and works logistics.

Speaking to Swieca I felt the world opening when she mentioned, “I wish to discover, strive fishing and I wish to go chook watching and do all of the issues.”