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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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  • Potato River Falls near Ashland Wisconsin Northwoods Hiking Trails

    15 Breathtaking Hiking Trails in Wisconsin (With Maps!)

    December 6, 2025
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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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Newer Posts 1 2 3 4 … 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 ↓

“Isn’t it just a lake?!” Me: ITS AN INLAND SEA!!!💫 “Isn’t it just a lake?!” Me: ITS AN INLAND SEA!!!💫❄️🌊🌈🏕️🥾Quick note on winter paddling/kayaking Lake Superior:All kayaking on lake superior year-round should be done in a sea kayak with deep water self and assisted rescue skills and/or a qualified guide. VHF marine radio and full safety kit also recommended.Winter paddling should also have a drysuit in the mix+ local knowledge of ice patterns.I don’t offer winter kayaking tours, nor do I know of anyone who does right now!!! I’m very lucky to be able to winter kayak, but it’s the culmination of six plus years of coastal kayaking and gear acquisition. There’s a LOT of additional risk involved with winter kayaking!!!Plus, it’s all pretty frozen right now :)
February in Bayfield, Wisconsin💫🌅 1- a sea stack February in Bayfield, Wisconsin💫🌅1- a sea stack on the bay (shot with @rachel_moon__ )2- frozen falls (shot with @rachel_moon__ )3- an ice cave (*this is on the bay side! Not part of the Apostle Islands Sea Caves/ ice caves which have to be officially opened by the park to visit)4- sunset drive5- subzero docks6- @seagullbaymotel (hosted)7- ice 8- more blue ice 9- as far as the eye can see10- behind frozen falls
Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula❄️⬇️ 1- check out a Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula❄️⬇️1- check out a waterfall (canyon falls, O-kun-Dee-kun, Eagle River2- sauna with @takkasaunas 3- sea kayak with @keweenawadventure Videos from a project with @visit_keweenaw Come say hi @maddymarq for more Great Lakes adventure spam!
But right now…❄️☃️🌅 Come say hi at @maddymarq for But right now…❄️☃️🌅Come say hi at @maddymarq for more Lake Superior winter spam, because it’s actually great here, always :)
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