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hello stranger midwest adventure
  • Coast Guard Station at sleeping bear point on a cloudy day

    9 Best Places To Stay In Traverse City, Michigan

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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!)

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  • 12 Incredible Things to do Frankfort, Michigan

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  • image of hiking at Overlook Nine in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

    15 Best Things to do Traverse City, Michigan

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  • Sleeping Bear Dunes in the Fall

    13 Mind-Blowing Fall Color Destinations in Michigan

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  • View from landslide overlook on the Jordan River Pathway

    Ultimate Guide to Torch Lake, Michigan (Hike, Swim & More!)

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  • Ultimate Guide To The Keweenaw Peninsula (Hikes, Waterfalls, & Pasties!)

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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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  • Image of a campsite in the porcupine mountains with a cup of coffee in front of a stunning overlook

    Ultimate 7-Day Upper Peninsula Road Trip (budget guide!)

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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!

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maddymarq

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

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
One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈 Come say hi @maddy One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈Come say hi @maddymarq for more Great Lakes spam!
Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan
Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫 I haven’t go Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫I haven’t gotten out on the water as much this winter as the last few years but we’ve still got at least a month of winter left up here :)Safety note:Winter kayaking on Lake Superior should only be done while wearing a drysuit and with local knowledge of weather and ice patterns and paddlers proficient deep water self rescue in conditions. Not a beginner activity (I don’t guide tours in the winter, but @itssuchaniceday up on the Canadian North Shore does when conditions allow and they’re cool folks!)[Note on the expired boat tags! Photos taken from winter ‘21-‘24, mostly in Wisconsin where I live so no, my boat is no longer registered in Minnesota (I moved in ‘23, which is why the boat sticker still says 23). I’m a huge square and definitely register my watercraft appropriately and stay up to date on necessary certifications]
Once upon a Lake Superior February💫❄️ 1- a wintry Once upon a Lake Superior February💫❄️1- a wintry slot canyon 2- winter sea kayaking (drysuit, sea kayak, deep water self rescue experience are a must!)3- fox in the woods 4- an icy hike5- @saunacamps (admittedly not on lake superior but it slipped in!)6- icy line7- another slot8- evening light 9- sunrise 10- ice11- sunset 12- snowstorm13- more ice 14- breaking waves ♥️
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