Many of the locations described in the Shadow world can be found on almost any map of Northern Illinois, as they are actual places in reality. Mixing fact in with fiction, cities as well as some establishments can actually be seen in real time.
Wild areas like Rock Cut State Park and the Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve can be found in real life and walked through, so you can see and get a feel for these territories yourself.
Some of the directions that I lay out within my books, are actual streets and can be followed.
Not all are real places however - some are embellished or directions get cut off due to the ending point not really being there.
At least not for everyone...
Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve
Downtown Rockford Illinois
Loves Park / Machesney Park
Rock Cut State Park
Now obviously in my books Rock Cut has been expanded by...quite a lot. Some of the towns get swallowed up and don't exist or have been pushed out further in the world of Shadows.