Help me setup a mini-solo?

[Lonely Raven]

Ok, I've never really hiked before. I've done some stealth camping, and car camping...but I've never really just hit a trail and gone till the end.

The truth is, I don't know where to start. I mean, for starters, I'm in Illinois. I know there are some "prairie paths" in IL, and all the camp locations I find are pay only, and they probably don't know about or want to deal with hammocks.

Is there a specific web page I could research this on? Anyone know of some trails in the Chicagoland suburbs that I could just disappear into for a weekend?

I need to get out more, I need to exercise more, and I need some personal time. This would be so good for me in so many ways...I just need some help getting started.

I appreciate any help/guidance you can provide.

P.S. I'm strictly talking outings, not gear...I'm getting pretty well setup on gear, and besides having UL pack (or UL gear in general) I think I'm pretty set for weekend excursions.