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30 Things To Do In The Apostle Islands (by a Kayak Guide!)
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16 Best Things to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota
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25 Things to do Sleeping Bear Dunes (by an outdoor guide!)
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Ultimate Michigan Bucket List (By an Outdoor Guide!)
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Midwest Spring Break Ideas (by an outdoor guide!)
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Ultimate 7-Day Upper Peninsula Road Trip (budget guide!)
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Top 10 Midwest Road Trip Ideas (By and Outdoor Guide!)
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How to Kayak the Apostle Islands Sea Caves (by a kayak guide!)
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29 Best Things to do in Bayfield, WI
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29 Best Things to do in the Pictured Rocks, Michigan
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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.

maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE exploring the Midwest eBooks ↓

hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟

hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟

Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupi

Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a great spot for beginner friendly wilderness backpacking (think no cell service, but options for easier routes). Currently an area just outside the Porkies is the site of a proposed mine that could put the environment and Lake Superior’s waters at risk. Learn more and stay up to date on developments @protect_the_porkies

📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation

logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve

logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤

1-7: I’ve worked this stretch of shoreline as a sea kayaking guide on and off since 2018. This summer will be my first in a while easing off guiding and into full time writing which is so wonderful!! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the islands and paddling as a paddler and someone who loves the outdoors, and not just as a guide working. There’s something really wonderful about doing things just for the joy of it, and I want that back.

[new @aquabound tetra on my deck was gifted! As pretty as she looks on my deck, it’s a great paddle so more likely to end up in my hands!]

8- I’ve been getting back into running and it’s been hard. Rewarded myself with some shorts that don’t cut into my skin and some non-stained sports bras. (See previous post for a wholeeeee story on the running thing)

9-10: a walk in the woods

11- plant propagations

12- taking @paddlingmagazine out for a paddle :)

Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where a

Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where are you headed this summer?

1- A lake up the Gunflint Trail
2- Stockton Island
3- the Porkies
4- Lovers Leap Arch
5- the North Shore
6- prep day
7- Palisade Head
8- my favorite island
9- the trail
10- Devils Island (actually isn’t my favorite!!)
11- Michigan moment
12- camped out
13- a small sea cave

📍traditional and cultural homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation

Unconventional ways I’ve saved money🤷🏼‍♀️

Definetly these wouldn’t work for everyone, but this is how I got a start working as a freelance writer/photographer and outdoor influencer. Everyone’s path in creative fields always looks super different, but I think sometimes it can be helpful to hear what people did to get there.

For me I think the biggest thing was when I realized I wanted to work as a writer, I just started writing and kept writing, and kept putting myself out there.

Ultimately the best thing you can do is just start, and work with what you have in front of you.

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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt