More fun at ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK… with more folks out hiking & hunting! Another great note from a fortune finder!!!

From Stacy – “Out walking today with my hubby and I told him about this. I found one right at the beginning of our hike! We love going to the beach trails at any time of year but it’s just so magical in the winter. Your adorable and beautiful fortune cookies was the cherry on top of our whole day! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Have a wonderful 2026!!”

Another fortune cookie claimed… with a great story that came with the photos!!!

“Not that I’m competitive, but when the ceramic fortune cookies scavenger hunt rules state that you take one/person to keep it fair, well – I couldn’t let my husband find one yesterday and not me. (Could I??… Correct answer is no… HA)”

“Back to IBSP today. Another 5.5 miles on different trails. Ta Da! Success!!! Actually found 3, but since we play fair, only took 1. So, locals, there’s more out there to be found. Thanks for another fun day at IBSP!”

Enjoying some leftover Christmas candy today! Minty fun while trying to pack away my Christmas decorations. Good thing they melt in your mouth, not in your hands!

Another fortune cookie claimed!!!
This time by the “youngest” searcher yet… along with her Mom & Dad who have been collecting fortune cookies for a couple years! Never too soon to get the little kids interested in art… even if they are napping right through it all?! HA!!!

Another one claimed… Sherry braved the cold temps today and found this one
along the Sand Lake Trail. Congrats… and here’s to a “fortunate” New Year!!!

So people are searching… and Leslie sent me this fun photo!!! She found the picnic table where I set out the “26” in fortune cookies before hiding them! I considered wiping it away yesterday… and now I’m glad that I didn’t!!! Too funny… a little “snow shadow” on the picnic table!!! Leslie… I hope that was just a harbinger of good things to be found!!!

Here’s a text message I got from Tina when she found these two fortune cookies!!!
Too funny!!!

So here’s the “other” part of my annual tradition!
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy & “fortunate” New Year…
by hiding ceramic fortune cookies all over ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK!

The tradition started during Covid when we couldn’t all gather to celebrate the New Year… and I’ve been doing it ever since. So to celebrate 2026, I hid 26 of my fortune cookie rattles for you guys to go find!!! These are the “clues” to kinda show you where they are. So have a good time searching… and if you find some, I’d love to see your photos!

But do me a favor… take lots of pictures, but only take one fortune cookie.
Leave some for everyone else to find!!! Have fun… and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It was a beautiful day to get outside for a little hike around ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK. It has become a bit of an annual tradition for me to kick off the New Year enjoying the scenery. And it is a wonderful “hidden gem” of a state park. I hiked all day and saw about six other people ALL day!!! I think I saw more deer than people!!! A great way to start the New Year!

Celebrating the New Year the Chicago way!
I love getting out of town to see friends… but always good to see the skyline again!