Sometimes choosing a topic for the day is difficult. On other occasions, a flurry of kindred headlines leads to an obvious destination.

Speaking of destinations, have you been to a state park recently? My personal answer is no – although my 17-year-old just headed off for a day at Illinois Beach – but as Shaw Local’s Tom Collins reported Wednesday , there are several indicators of increased interest in road trips to jewels like Matthiessen and Starved Rock.

The Department of Natural Resources recently updated its list of most-visited state parks, including the three already mentioned, along with Moraine Hills, Rock Cut, Kankakee River and Hennepin Canal state parks. Collins reported Memorial and Independence Day road trips set volume records and talked to business owners who have seen

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