Codell Rodriguez
Daily Egyptian
Walter and George Zyznieuski love the natural beauty of Illinois so much they decided to write a book about it.
Then they wrote two more.
The Zyznieuski brothers recently authored "A Guide to Illinois Nature Centers & Interpretive Trails" through SIU Press. The book takes a look at all the parks and the lesser trails in the state. Their first two books were "Illinois Hiking and Backpacking Trails" and "Mountain Bike Trails in Illinois."
The book includes 329 pages, 56 illustrations and 16 maps of highlights from each of the 132 parks, programs and events and overall descriptions. It also has symbols at the top of each section indicating if the park has benefits such as camping, bike paths and accessible trails for the disabled.
Walter said the first book tackled trails that exceeded four miles, but the new volume explores shorter trails and area nature centers.
"We have quite a variety across the state," Walter said. "There are great places to go explore."
The places they describe in the book include Giant City State Park and Garden of the Gods. Walter said he handled most of the Southern Illinois trails and George took Northern Illinois.
"There were a lot of newer trails we'd never been to that were a lot of fun," Walter said.
Walter was familiar with the area before writing the book because he graduated from SIUC in 1979. George graduated from Illinois State University. George said he and his brother had spent a lot of time with nature.
"We realized we had the experience to make a book," George said.
George and Walter said exploring nature was especially attractive to them because they are originally from a more urban environment. Walter said he and his brother were always looking for a way to get in touch with nature.
"Both of us grew up in Chicago," Walter said. "It was nice getting away from the city."
The brothers said that while the book should be beneficial for Illinois residents, it should be especially useful for tourists or people that are new to the area such as students.
They said another group that would benefit greatly is international students. Walter said many of them already know about the books because their sales records indicate a lot of purchases overseas.
But whoever buys the book, Walter encourages everyone to just enjoy nature once and a while.
"There are great places around the state," Walter said. "Go explore it."
Reporter Codell Rodriguez can be reached at crodriguez@dailyegyptian.com.
"A Guide to Illinois Nature Centers & Interpretive Trails" is available for $19.95. For more information or to order any of the Zyznieuski's books, call 1-800-346-2680.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
