Fresh_Air_Friendship

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]

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

In case anyone missed it, here is the story we were featured in on WGN. https://t.co/2LxYFqqGXK
Thanks to Erin McElroy for hanging out with us!

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Back at it this Memorial Day weekend with a trip to Fox Ridge State Park (park #103) and flights at Warren James Winery in Mattoon.

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Yesterday I gave a presentation about Illinois State Parks to the 2nd and 3rd grade Nature Club in my district.

Not gonna lie, I teared up when I read this email.

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

100 parks. One big, beautiful journey.

This weekend, we hit our 100th Illinois State Park at Fort Massac! What started as an idea to get outside turned into a lifetime of memories, muddy boots, and a deeper connection.
Here’s to the miles behind us and the trails yet to come!

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Day 2 with Fresh Air Friendship:
Canyons ➡️ Tunnels ➡️ Vineyards ➡️ River Views.
Southern Illinois is the weekend recharge we needed. 🌿🍷⚓️
#ExploreIL #FreshAirFriendships #MetropolisIL #WineTrail

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Day 1 of our Southern Illinois trek: 10/10 views, 0/10 for bees for bees trying to kill us.
Recap:
☕️ Coffee at the Depot
☁️ Garden of the Gods views
🏃💨 Escaping a swarm of bees at Saline County SFWA (Park #94) (0 stings!)
🌊 Recovery at Sahara Woods (Park #95)
On to Day 2!

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Fresh Air Friendship is officially back for 2026! 🥾
We kicked off the season wandering the I&M Canal in LaSalle. Between the history and an incredible bald eagle sighting, it’s good to be back outside.
1 down, 20+ to go on our quest to visit every Illinois State Park! 🦅✨

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

@laborboy1 Great article! We love a winter hike. Steph went out to Busse Woods last week in lieu of eagle weekend at Starved Rock. Still felt great closer to home!

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Missed Eagle Weekend at Starved Rock (for a very good reason — my sister’s baby shower), so I squeezed in a winter hike at Busse Woods instead. Cold air, crunchy snow, and a stop at Mikerphone. Call me crazy, but winter hikes just hit different. ❄️🥾🍺 @FPDCC

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Emma’s on the mend, so I took my parents to Volo Bog for my #ILFirstDayHikes 🌲
Brisk temps, fresh air, and great company—the perfect way to kick off 2026.
Here’s to another year of Illinois State Park adventures!
@IllinoisDNR

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

@BowmanOutside That was our first park of last year! We were stepping over walnuts, there were so many (here’s a picture of us, pointing at walnuts 😂)
My parents and I went to Volo this morning. Quite brisk. -Steph

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Our biggest year yet ✨
We explored 24 new parks in 16 counties, supported tons of local businesses, grew across every platform, and made new friends along the way.
We’re now just 43 parks away from visiting all 135 IDNR properties! 🌲
Thanks for being part of this journey. 💛

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Visited Argyle Lake State Park — gorgeous views, steep trails & a little chaos 👣🌲 Wrapped the day with caramel whiskey at Green Frog Distilling in Iowa… perfection. 🥃
Full story + tips ↓
https://t.co/ORe78JyP7e
#FreshAirFriendship #ArgyleLake #Hiking #TravelIL

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

New merch just dropped in time for #FOBAB!

Just kidding, I made this in my Aunt’s kitchen. Thanks Aunt Terri for letting me use your fancy t-shirt press!

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Two western IL parks checked off! 
Delabar State Park—peaceful Mississippi River views & short spider-webby trails 🕷️🌲
Henderson County SCA—quiet lake, fishing, and serenity 🎣
Read more 👉 https://t.co/MYdQFjOSLP
#FreshAirFriendship #IllinoisStateParks

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

From rail trails to hidden lakes 🌲🚲 Rock Island State Trail + Snakeden Hollow made for a perfect day outdoors—topped off with brews at Reserve Artisan Ales & Iron Spike Brewing 🍻 Full recap on the blog ⬇️
https://t.co/yrFhGEj7OR
#FreshAirFriendship #ExploreIL

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

90 parks DONE. 45 to go—2/3 of the way there!
Kicked off the day spotting our quest in the Sun-Times (thanks @BowmanOutside !), wrapped it up with Big River State Forest + Chili’s, and now it’s couch time with my sister’s dog. #LaborDay #ILstateparks

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Western Illinois Day 3: Nauvoo State Park had the crowds (thanks, Grape Festival) but not the trails—overgrown + too steep to finish the loop. 🍇 At least Baxter’s Winery, Illinois’ oldest, saved the day with samples, glasses, and Uncrustables for lunch. 🍷🥪

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Day 5 in Carbondale = coffee, a surprise detour to Bald Knob Cross,  a steep hike at Trail of Tears, 3 flooded Fish & Wildlife Areas, wine at Alto + Owl Creek (w/cats Juniper & Remy 🐾), and mead to finish .
Not hard, but unforgettable.

https://t.co/t6Mj6JSEAy

[Fresh_Air_Friendship @FriendshipAir]

Day 4 in southern Illinois: Flooded Fort Defiance State Park shut us out, but gorgeous Horseshoe Lake SP and peaceful Kinkaid Lake SFWA made up for it. #SouthernIllinois #RoadTrip #NatureAdventures

https://t.co/yRhqSI6yH8

[James Taylor @JTatRFDRadio]

The quest to visit every Illinois state park, an update from @FriendshipAir. @ILFarmBureau's Rodney Knittel talks precautions at unmarked intersections. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their role with @IHSA_IL bass fishing state finals. https://t.co/gossFDAMxF @FarmWeekNow