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hello stranger midwest adventure

9 Best Places To Stay In Traverse City, Michigan

Looking for the best places to stay near Traverse City, Michigan? Check out the best places to stay for your Northern Michigan vacation: Why this blog? My name is Maddy…

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11 Epic Things to do Red River Gorge

Looking for the best things to do in the Red River Gorge? From ziplining and climbing tours to hiking and cute coffee shops, here are must-visits in "the gorge"! Why…

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

Looking to find the best sleeping pad for your next adventure? From the best sleeping bags for backpackers to car campers, read on for some of the best sleeping pads…

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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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  • 7 Best Places to Stay on the North Shore, MN

    January 15, 2026
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  • 27 Things to Do on the North Shore, MN (RANKED!!!)

    January 14, 2026
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  • image of a cove in michigan at the pictured rocks at sunset

    13 Epic Michigan Travel Destinations (By an Outdoor Guide!)

    January 11, 2026
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  • Kayaker at the Apostle Islands Sea Caves

    15 Best Places to Stay in Bayfield, Wisconsin

    January 10, 2026
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  • 15 Cute Hiking Outfit Ideas (by an outdoor guide!)

    January 9, 2026
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  • 15 Things to Do in the San Juan Islands (by a kayak guide!)

    January 8, 2026
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  • image of clear waters of the US Virgin Islands National Park

    11 Midwest Spring Break Ideas (by an outdoor guide!)

    January 3, 2026
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  • 13 Best Beaches in Michigan (by an outdoor guide!)

    January 3, 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 ↓

You should still come up :) 🥾 hike Meyers beach You should still come up :) 🥾 hike Meyers beach sea caves trail from above 🎿 ski mt ashwabay 🌈 hike a frozen waterfall (Houghton falls, amnicon falls, lost creek falls, twin falls)🌅 explore a frozen beach ❄️ grab a bite to eat & stay somewhere cute ☃️ hike on the bay! Research ice conditions first! Check in at a local outdoor shop for up to date conditions before headed out— if the ice road is open, it’s a good indicator that the ice on the bay is solid for hiking Come say hi at @maddymarq for more northwoods adventures 📍Bayfield, Wisconsin
California’s Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️ - 38.5 mi California’s Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️- 38.5 mile challenging thru-hike- ferry required to get there- campsite reservations/permits open the first of the year - bison! endemic species! cetaceans! oh my!- not a great beginner backpacking trip, but a good beginner thru-hike- options to grab lunch along the way and resupply, easy to keep pack weight low- on one of California’s Channel Islands Tag your hiking buddy :) come say hi @maddymarq for fun little outdoorsy tips from your favorite unhinged outdoor guide!
Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail with @explore Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail with @explorenborgen 🥾🌅🏕️Ft my new @shopwildbrush ultralight backpack 10/10 can’t wait to use again :)
4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌅🏕️ Backpackin 4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌅🏕️Backpacking across Catalina Island, one of California’s Channel Islands. This trek was so much fun, easily my all time favorite backpacking trip. It was harder than I’d hoped for sure, but not as hard as I feared and I’m really stoked to have finished. Would recommend to a friend, would do again.
Would you have done this?😅🌵🥾🏕 honestly, I think Would you have done this?😅🌵🥾🏕 honestly, I think the cost of the permit to backpack Havasupai is totally worth it BUT I don’t think I need to spend $2000 on a backpacking trip again. The Havasu Canyon Trail runs through the Havasupai Tribal Nation Land, and all of the Grand Canyon is the homeland of the Havasupai people, and has been for the last 1000+ years. In the 1900s, the Havasupai were forcibly removed from the rest of the canyon by the National Parks Service separated from their gardens and cut off access to hunting. In 1975, the Havasu falls area and campground was returned to the Tribe, on the stipulation that the area remain open to tourists. a remote community located 8 miles into the canyon with no road access, the Havasupai People had very few options *other* than tourism. Fast forward 50 years to today. The hike down is beautiful, with well-maintained facilities and a lively campground. The whole experience is incredible, and I would easily recommend it!the $455 permit seems pricey, but is totally reasonable when considering the effort it takes to maintain the popular campground 10 miles deep into the Grand Canyon, and the needs of the community to maintain it.#havasupai #arizona #grandcanyon #backpacking
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