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hello stranger midwest adventure

12 Incredible Things to do Frankfort, Michigan

Looking for the best things to do in Frankfort, Michigan? Just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Frankfort is an adorable small town on Lake Michigan with great…

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29 Tips to Start a Travel Blog in 2026 (for Content Creators!)

If you're here, you're probably thinking about starting a blog in 2026 . Whether you're thinking of starting a blog to make money, share your travels, or augment your content…

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15 Best Things to do Traverse City, Michigan

Looking for the best things to do in Traverse City, Michigan? Traverse City is a great place to visit for Michiganders looking for beach time, hiking trails, cozy coffee shops…

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  • 12 Incredible Things to do Frankfort, Michigan

    November 11, 2025
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  • Where to watch the sunset in Grand Marais ? Head out to artist point. Image of a photographer watching a beautiful red sunset over Lake Superior with the sawtooth mountains outlined in the background

    29 Tips to Start a Travel Blog in 2026 (for Content Creators!)

    November 6, 2025
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  • image of hiking at Overlook Nine in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

    15 Best Things to do Traverse City, Michigan

    November 6, 2025
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  • image of a car camping travel set up in the late autumn woods. A mug sits on a womans lap, a sleeping bag curled at her side with a book on top.

    19 Exciting Gift Ideas for Travelers (Budget & Luxury!)

    October 17, 2025
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  • image of a hiker in canyonlands national park near needles

    39 Gift Ideas for Hikers (by an outdoor guide!)

    October 17, 2025
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  • image of devil's island lighthouse on Lake Superior

    The Ultimate Guide to Lake Superior (By an outdoor guide!)

    October 2, 2025
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  • Sun peaks into snow-covered woods

    What To Wear Winter Hiking (by an outdoor guide!)

    September 25, 2025
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  • Best Women’s Baselayers (by an outdoor guide!)

    September 18, 2025
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  • Image of a hiker in a puffer jacket standing in front of light snow in the woods

    Best Puffer Jackets for Hiking (by an outdoor guide!)

    September 18, 2025
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  • image of MSR WindBurner in front of kayaks on Oak Island

    9 Best Camping Stoves (by an outdoor guide!)

    September 12, 2025
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1 2 3 … 14 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🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods & Lake Superior
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE trail guides ↓

Five winters on Superior❄️🌊✨ 2- winter kayaking t Five winters on Superior❄️🌊✨2- winter kayaking through an arch (everyone pictured is a local guide & kayak instructor wearing a drysuit. This is NOT a beginner activity and I do not recommend it without training, local knowledge and specialized gear)3- Lake Superior ice garden4- a frozen river canyon5- more winter kayaking (no, we weren’t worried about ice falling on ice. It was slushy and not hard and we were pretty conscious of the conditions)6- winter camping 7- a frozen waterfall cave 8- ice caves9- a -40 morning 10- hiking on Lake Superior, a sea stack11- aliens? Or ice?12- @sisuandloylysauna 13- snowshoeing :)14- the grand Marais lighthouse 15- winter shadows on the wall
November colors on Superior❄️♥️🌅 1- sunset facing November colors on Superior❄️♥️🌅1- sunset facing south on Lake Superior. Selfie, tripod propped up on a rock. 2- morning in a cabin @elycabincollective 3- gales of November 4- sunny day in Michigan 5- fall colors down, shot by @emksks 6- late afternoon sun. Idk I love this shot7- cribbage 8- the sky in November >9- first snow10- last light at camp11- last pop of color 12- @emksks in first snow!!📍traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
YOU define your own success♥️🏆 After I got a degr YOU define your own success♥️🏆After I got a degree in Neuroscience, I realized I didn’t want to work in a lab or go to grad school. It just didn’t fit on me. So I got a job as a kayak guide, and joined the Peace Corps and moved to Armenia. I lived on a lot less and with less, and for years everything I owned fit in my Subaru. I sea kayaked surrounded by orcas and kayaked under waterfalls, and learned a new language and slept in the desert and have kayaked under the northern lights. Now, seven years after making a choice to define my own success, I work as a writer & photographer and get to travel for work. I don’t have a big house or big salary, but I wouldn’t change a single thing— Living a life on your terms is so much more important than someone else’s definition of success, and I wish someone had told me that at 20.
Shop the @rei Holiday Sale now through Nov 24 ✨ 🚣 Shop the @rei Holiday Sale now through Nov 24 ✨🚣REI Co-op Heavyweight Merino Base Layer Half-Zip Top [30% off]☀️Exped Mega Mat Duo Sleeping Pad [25% off]🗺️ Oboz Bridger Mid Hiking Boots [25% off]☃️North Face Thermo Ball Shoes [25% off]🌲REI Co-op Members save 20% on one full-price item and an extra 20% off one REI Outlet item with code HOLIDAY2025.Sale ends 11/24 so shop soon! Discounts are based on original prices, and selection varies by location. While supplies last. Shop through my link in bio or in story highlights!#reipartner
First snow up north ❄️🫎 These are from a perfect First snow up north ❄️🫎These are from a perfect morning a few years ago up the Gunflint Trail with @emksks :) 📸2: @emksks 📍Traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe Nation
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