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hello stranger midwest adventure

7 Secret Michigan Swimming Holes You’ve Never Heard Of

Looking to discover Michigan's best swimming spots? From hidden sandy coves you have to hike to reach to secret paddle-in waterfalls and easy roadside stops, check out seven of Michigan's…

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13 Epic Wisconsin Travel Destinations (by an outdoor guide)

Looking for the best travel ideas in Wisconsin? Read this article for the best Wisconsin Destinations, from outdoor adventures to adorable small towns! Why this blog? Hi there! My name…

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Best Hiking Shorts (for women, by an outdoor guide!)

Looking for the best shorts for hiking on the market? For great hiking shorts that are chafe-free, have pockets, quick drying, and more read on! why this blog? Hi there!…

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  • 7 Secret Michigan Swimming Holes You’ve Never Heard Of

    April 16, 2026
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  • image of three kayakers sitting by the edge of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin

    13 Epic Wisconsin Travel Destinations (by an outdoor guide)

    April 14, 2026
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  • A woman stands in a valley wearing legging style hiking shorts

    Best Hiking Shorts (for women, by an outdoor guide!)

    April 11, 2026
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  • image of waterfall Gorge Falls in the upper peninsla near Ironwood, Michigan

    Ultimate Upper Peninsula Waterfall Road Trip (Michigan’s Best!)

    March 25, 2026
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  • Beachscape and sand dunes with crystal clear water at the Dune Climb Hike in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City

    Where To Stay Near Sleeping Bear Dunes (best cabins, camping & more!)

    March 20, 2026
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  • image of a cowboy camp at sunrise. A sleeping bag sits on top of a sleeping pad next to a sea kayak in the Apostle Islands

    Best Sleeping Bags (Backpacking, Car Camping & more!)

    March 15, 2026
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  • Where To Stay In The San Juan Islands (Hotels & Camping!)

    March 8, 2026
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  • image of a girl at camp

    Insta360 X5 Review: Versatile Camera For Outdoor Adventure

    March 4, 2026
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  • Coast Guard Station at sleeping bear point on a cloudy day

    9 Best Places To Stay In Traverse City, Michigan

    February 6, 2026
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  • image of a backpacking camp set up

    9 Best Sleeping Pads (Backpacking, Car Camping & More)

    January 22, 2026
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1 2 3 … 15 Older Posts

hello stranger // about me

Hi there, and welcome to Hello Stranger. My name is Maddy, and I'm the voice behind the blog. I'm a writer, paddler, photographer, traveller, and freelance editor. I'm committed to exploring the beautiful American Midwest to prove that you can find real adventure anywhere! Toss your email below to keep up with the adventure!

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Northwoods & Lake Superior
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE trail guides ↓

Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵 I spent a lot Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵I spent a lot of this week in front of the computer working & vegging on the couch but this time last year @explorenborgen & I were backpacking and bumming around the desert :)
Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶 Win a scholarsh Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶Win a scholarship spot at the @freshwater.paddler.symposium (June 25-28) in Cornucopia, Wisconsin.This sponsorship covers your registration + gear rentals and is aimed at beginner padders to help more women access the sport of sea kayaking. Transportation, pre-event workshops, and meals save the group dinner are not included. Anyone who identifies as a woman & uses she/her pronouns is welcome to apply, no previous kayaking experience required.About the symposium: Join fellow paddlers at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore for a few days of fun paddling and skill building at the Freshwater Paddlers Sea Kayak Symposium. Open to sea kayakers of all skill levels, come and learn from ACA Certified Instructors, with paddling opportunities from calm bays to rowdy open water, and get involved in the Apostle Islands sea kayaking community. Four ladies will be randomly selected from this form as scholarship winners. If you have already registered for the symposium and win you can use your winning to refund your registration and rental cost, or transfer your scholarship to a friend. Each scholarship covers one individuals registration and rentals only. Free camping is available for the event at the Cornucopia airport; Maddy (hello@madelinemarquardt.com, sponsoring the scholarship) has loaner camping gear available if needed.Application open until April 30th.*Note that the typical solo sea kayak fits women up to about 250 pounds comfortably. If you have questions about boat fit/availability you can contact me (Maddy) directly and I’m happy to help you get a gauge on whether or not you’ll be comfortable and see if I can find a boat that works. Sea kayaking is also generally not a good fit for anyone sporting shoulder injuries. Also note that this is a sea kayak instruction and skill building event, not a guided tour. You’ll be in and out of the water working on rescues, paddling techniques and more, with additional opportunities to paddle throughout the area and explore.
Calling your name♥️ Calling your name♥️
Lake Superior summer ☀️🌊🥾>>>>> 1- Apostle Islands Lake Superior summer ☀️🌊🥾>>>>>1- Apostle Islands sea caves2- @takkasaunas 3- paddling the north shore4- the Keweenaw peninsula5- split rock lighthouse state park6- waterfalls of the UP7- a dip in the lake :)8- the Porcupine Mountains 9- @timber.tide.cabins 10- @climbforged 11- pictured rocks12- apostle islands 13- cornucopia, Wisconsin
Baja in dusty purple✨🐳🌕 1- moonrise over camp 2- Baja in dusty purple✨🐳🌕1- moonrise over camp2- sunset over cacti3- @aseaberg_61 beneath a nice looking cliff4- a humpback 5- peaking out of the tent in the morning 6- moon set over the sea of cortez7- another cliff8- the @seakayakadventures fleet (hosted guided trip!)9- sea stack or island?10- blue hour 11- moonrise 12- morning paddle13- blue-footed boobies14- red rock, pink boat15- sunrise
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