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hello stranger midwest adventure

Where To Stay In The San Juan Islands (Hotels & Camping!)

Looking for where to stay on your trip to the San Juan Islands? Keep reading to find your perfect base camp for your San Juan Islands Trip! Why this blog?…

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Insta360 5X Review: Versatile Camera For Outdoor Adventure

Looking for the inside scoop on one of the best adventure camera's on the market? The Insta360 5X is a weather-ready camera capable of capturing unique angles in a variety…

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Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail (At a Glance!)

Looking to tackle the US’s shortest thru hike? Hop on a ferry and head out to Catalina Island off the coast of LA for a 38.5 mile backpacking adventure. From…

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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 5X 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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  • 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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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!

note: this website uses affiliate links! this means if you choose to make a purchase based on recommendation I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

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maddymarq

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

Keep this on your person🏕️🎒⛑️ Keep this on your person🏕️🎒⛑️
Clean your hiking boots!!!🥾🏕🌈🌿✨ Did you know that Clean your hiking boots!!!🥾🏕🌈🌿✨Did you know that cleaning mud and potential invasive plant seeds off your boots is an important Leave No Trace/ environmental stewardship guideline? I think I first learned about this when I was 21 and started traveling more!Boot cleaning is especially important when you’re hiking in different regions or hopping on an airplane✈️
What do you think?🤔🏜️🏕️ What do you think?🤔🏜️🏕️
Blue water, desert backpacking 🏜️🏝️ A few little Blue water, desert backpacking 🏜️🏝️A few little postcards from a spring desert trip with @aubree.adventures :)
Full backpacking packing list🥾⬇️ A quick list of Full backpacking packing list🥾⬇️A quick list of everything I packed for flying out & hiking California’s Trans Catalina Trail :)@nemoequipment tensor sleeping pad@enlightenedequipment zero degree down quilt@shopwildbrush Glow pack@bedrocksandals Advil, contact solution, sunscreen, mini first aid kit@terakaia baseware@karitraa top@stio shorts + Pinion pullover@superior_fleece iykykRain coat, tank top, pants for plane@rei hiking leggings@injinji toe socks (life hack lightweight toe socks can prevent / stop blisters in their tracks!)@snowpeakusa mug & pot@msr_gear pocket rocketEnough @clifbar -age that my digestive tract is still recovering@goodtogofoods GF meals :)@energizer rechargeable headlamp (I’ll die on the hill that this is the best headlamp out there)@zpacks airplane bag@hyperlite_mountain_gear camera pod@blackdiamond trekking poles@bigagnes_ Fly Creek UL 2 old enough to be in middle school (+ 5 tent stakes which I then split with @explorenborgen 🧐)@obozfootwear Bridger Mids@alpinestartfoods dirty chai :)@anker_official rechargeable battery
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