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hello stranger midwest adventure

7 Secret Michigan Swimming Holes You’ve Never Heard Of

Looking to discover Michigan's best swimming spots? From hidden sandy coves you have to hike to reach to secret paddle-in waterfalls and easy roadside stops, check out seven of Michigan's…

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13 Epic Wisconsin Travel Destinations (by an outdoor guide)

Looking for the best travel ideas in Wisconsin? Read this article for the best Wisconsin Destinations, from outdoor adventures to adorable small towns! Why this blog? Hi there! My name…

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Best Hiking Shorts (for women, by an outdoor guide!)

Looking for the best shorts for hiking on the market? For great hiking shorts that are chafe-free, have pockets, quick drying, and more read on! why this blog? Hi there!…

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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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  • Fall Color on a backroad near Traverse City, in Northern Michigan

    15 Breathtaking Midwest Fall Destinations (2025!)

    September 1, 2025
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Newer Posts 1 2 3 4 5 … 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 ↓

Car camping 101🚗⛺️ As told by mistakes I made on Car camping 101🚗⛺️As told by mistakes I made on a solo two week road trip around the Midwest 😅
Kayaking the Apostle Islands☀️🌊🛶 Kayaking the Apostle Islands☀️🌊🛶
Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵 I spent a lot Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵I spent a lot of this week in front of the computer working & vegging on the couch but this time last year @explorenborgen & I were backpacking and bumming around the desert :)
Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶 Win a scholarsh Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶Win a scholarship spot at the @freshwater.paddler.symposium (June 25-28) in Cornucopia, Wisconsin.This sponsorship covers your registration + gear rentals and is aimed at beginner padders to help more women access the sport of sea kayaking. Transportation, pre-event workshops, and meals save the group dinner are not included. Anyone who identifies as a woman & uses she/her pronouns is welcome to apply, no previous kayaking experience required.About the symposium: Join fellow paddlers at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore for a few days of fun paddling and skill building at the Freshwater Paddlers Sea Kayak Symposium. Open to sea kayakers of all skill levels, come and learn from ACA Certified Instructors, with paddling opportunities from calm bays to rowdy open water, and get involved in the Apostle Islands sea kayaking community. Four ladies will be randomly selected from this form as scholarship winners. If you have already registered for the symposium and win you can use your winning to refund your registration and rental cost, or transfer your scholarship to a friend. Each scholarship covers one individuals registration and rentals only. Free camping is available for the event at the Cornucopia airport; Maddy (hello@madelinemarquardt.com, sponsoring the scholarship) has loaner camping gear available if needed.Application open until April 30th.*Note that the typical solo sea kayak fits women up to about 250 pounds comfortably. If you have questions about boat fit/availability you can contact me (Maddy) directly and I’m happy to help you get a gauge on whether or not you’ll be comfortable and see if I can find a boat that works. Sea kayaking is also generally not a good fit for anyone sporting shoulder injuries. Also note that this is a sea kayak instruction and skill building event, not a guided tour. You’ll be in and out of the water working on rescues, paddling techniques and more, with additional opportunities to paddle throughout the area and explore.
Calling your name♥️ Calling your name♥️
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