Dawn Bergeron

04/12/2026

Last weekend I kept things simple and stayed local… and ended up finding a few places I’d never really paid attention to before.

Stopped at Funks Grove for real maple syrup, wandered through McLean (which is such a cute little town), and realized the trail now runs all the way there—so a 30 mile bike ride is now on my list. 🍁

On Sunday I drove to Morris and walked the town. Most places were closed for Easter, but I actually loved how quiet it was. I had no idea there was a river running right through it—definitely going back. 📸

Also passed through Seneca and found a coffee shop I didn’t stop at but will next time—Refuge Coffee.

Lately I’ve just been enjoying exploring more of what’s around me… there’s a lot here I’ve overlooked.

If you’re local, it’s worth getting out and wandering a bit.

A quiet weekend exploring small town Illinois—from Funks Grove maple syrup to McLean, Morris, and Seneca. Discover scenic trails, river towns, murals, and hidden coffee spots worth visiting.

04/02/2026

Took my camera into Chicago Saturday and explored Pilsen for the first time—so much color and texture everywhere.

Ended the day at the Garfield Park Conservatory, which ended up being my favorite place to shoot. The light, the greens, the calm… totally different from the city streets. Then stopped in Joliet on the way home to stretch the legs and take a few photos.

Sharing some of my favorite images + the full day here:

A Chicago day trip exploring Pilsen’s murals, Mexican culture, and a peaceful reset inside Garfield Park Conservatory—plus photography inspiration

03/29/2026

I miss this. Today was amazing. 📸📸📸 Will do a blog post - but seeing color and nature.........magic.

03/28/2026

A Route 66 Adventure Through Central Illinois 🚴‍♀️

Last weekend I decided to do something simple that turned into a really fun little adventure—exploring pieces of historic Route 66 through Central Illinois with my golden retriever Murphy on Friday night and then with my road bike on Saturday - and my Nikon camera.

Sometimes the best trips aren’t far away. They’re right in your backyard.

A scenic 33-mile bike ride along historic Route 66 from Normal to Lexington, Illinois with stops in Towanda. Discover Route 66 photo spots and small-town attractions.

03/16/2026

Spent the afternoon exploring Peoria with my camera and found some beautiful places to photograph.

St. Mary’s Cathedral was incredible inside and out — the blue star ceiling alone was worth the trip. I also wandered around downtown for some architecture and finished the afternoon at Luthy Botanical Garden capturing plants and early flowers in the greenhouse.

I shared a few photos and the story on the blog.

Before heading home, I made one more stop at Luthy Botanical Garden . It’s not a huge garden, but it’s a really peaceful place to wander around with a camera. Even this early in the season there was plenty to photograph — interesting plants in the greenhouse, succulents, cactus, and some early...

03/08/2026

I took a day trip to St. Louis this weekend to get away from my computer after my first week at a new job and spend the day exploring with my camera. 📸 🏛️

Started the morning at Sump Coffee with a strawberry latte, wandered through the murals in Cherokee Street and The Grove, visited the Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park and the Art Museum, explored Soulard Market, stopped by a few beautiful churches, walked the one-mile mural wall, and finished the day near the Arch and Laclede’s Landing before dinner at Little Fox.

It was a full day of color, creativity, and really powerful street art. 🎨

I wrote a little blog post about the day and shared some of the photos if you'd like to see more.

A camera, coffee, murals, gardens, and a reminder that art tells powerful stories. After starting a new job this past week, I was really looking forward to a day away from my computer. Training had been intense, and while I’m excited about the opportunity, I could feel how much I needed a creative

02/28/2026

Headed to St. Joe hoping for dramatic waves… got calm water instead.

And honestly? Still worth it.

Stopped at Warren Dunes, checked out a few dog-friendly beaches in Indiana, and wandered through Three Oaks + New Buffalo. Much of it’s still closed for the season — but I’ll be back when there’s more color and flowers. 🌊🌾

New blog post is live.

Yesterday I headed back to one of my favorite quick escapes — St. Joseph. It’s one of those places I never really get tired of. The drive feels manageable. The lake always feels bigger than my thoughts. And no matter how many times I go, it gives me something different. This time, though, winter

02/28/2026

Spent some time walking downtown Bloomington + Normal this week with my camera and a coffee in hand. 💛

After 20 years here, it felt good to slow down and actually see the murals, brick, history, and color that make this place what it is.

Sometimes you don’t need a road trip — just fresh eyes.

New blog post is up if you want to take a little hometown walk with me.

Seeing My Own Hometown Again 📸 Photography Feb 27 Written By Dawn Bergeron Bloomington & Normal, IllinoisIt’s funny how you can live somewhere for 20 years and stop really seeing it.I’ve driven downtown Bloomington and Normal more times than I can count. School drop-offs. Meetings. Coffee run...

02/21/2026

Spent the day at the Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden and it was exactly what a cold Illinois day needed 🌸✌️

“Feeling Groovy” was the theme — full of color, peace, and 70’s vibes. I brought my Nikon, played with my repaired Tamron lens, and soaked in all the creative inspiration.

Afterward, I headed to Fort Sheridan to hike the bluffs and walk the winter shoreline. From tropical orchids to moody Lake Michigan in one afternoon — such a good reset.

Sharing a few favorites and the full story on the blog. 💛

There is something about walking into warmth, color, and living beauty in the middle of an Illinois winter that feels like therapy for the soul. This week I spent the day at the Chicago Botanic Garden for their annual Orchid Show — and this year’s theme was “Feeling Groovy.” Think 70’s vib...

02/15/2026

Yesterday Murphy and I spent the afternoon hiking five miles at Starved Rock. 🥾

The ice falls weren’t as dramatic this year — we just haven’t had the moisture for those towering frozen walls — but there was still something peaceful about the gray skies, quiet trails, and frozen river views.

Winter has a way of slowing everything down. The park feels asleep right now… and I love knowing we’ll get to watch it come alive again in a few short weeks.

I brought my Nikon and am learning to love shooting with my camera again. It felt good to slow down and really see.

If you’d like to follow along, I shared a few favorites from the hike on the blog. 💛

Yesterday Murphy and I headed south for one of our favorite kinds of days — a long, quiet winter hike with no expectations other than fresh air and movement. We logged just over five miles together, weaving along the river, through the canyons, and across frozen overlooks under a sky that felt sof...

02/13/2026

Just a little time in Peoria after Costco with my camera, the sun and some of the murals in the city! Happy Friday!

Today started with something ordinary — a Costco run. But instead of heading straight home, I did something different. I had my camera with me — my Nikon Z6III — and the afternoon light was too beautiful to waste. So I decided to turn a simple shopping trip into a small creative challenge. I d...