Mara dodges cyclists on the Black Partridge Park Trail near Metamora, Illinois. 

Mara heads west to check out the delightful, well-appointed Sangamon River Trail.

Mara visits the Abandoned Observatory trail where she fails to see the observatory but has a nice time with her canine companion, Elmo.

Mara finds a “shorter, flatter, closer” trail at Homer Lake Forest Preserve because it's hot as heck and gas is expensive. 

Mara heads south to Fox Ridge State Park for a trail with many stairs, trash cans, and gorgeous old trees.

Mara heads back to Vermillion County for her longest trail yet at the Forest Glen Preserve.

Mara travails the many hills and tiny bridges along the North Fork Trail in Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.

Mara revisits an old favorite in Kennekuk Cove County Park.

Mara kicks off her new “Walkin' in the Woods” series with a review of the KRR Short Loop trail at Kickapoo State Park.