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hello stranger midwest adventure

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks (Epic Utah Road Trip!)

Looking for the ultimate Utah road trip!? Head down to Arches National Park, Moab, and Canyonlands for an epic road trip with everything from waterfalls to slot canyons. why this…

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11 Best Hiking Trails In Moab, Utah (Arches & Waterfalls!!!)

Looking for the best hiking in Moab? Check out these trails for some of the best simple hikes in Moab for slot canyons, waterfalls, arches, and more! why this blog?…

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13 Best Things to do Moab, Utah (Budget Guide!)

Looking for the best things to do in Moab, Utah from the best hiking to wear to eat? Keep reading for a quick guide to what to do in Moab,…

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  • PNW Adventure Packing List (By an Outdoor Guide!)

    June 13, 2024
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  • Weekend Guide to the Shawnee National Forest, IL

    May 23, 2024
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  • How to Backpack and Camp on your Period (Detailed Guide!)

    May 23, 2024
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  • Ultimate Guide to Solo Car Camping (Packing & Route Planning)

    May 7, 2024
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  • Best Hiking on Wisconsin’s Great River Road

    May 6, 2024
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  • 27 Bucket-List Michigan Hiking Trails (with maps!)

    April 19, 2024
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  • image of a tent in a beautiful free campsite in Grand Marais Minnesota

    Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Review (By an Outdoor Guide!!)

    April 18, 2024
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  • Weekend Guide to the North Shore, MN (Local’s Guide)

    April 17, 2024
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  • Best of Glacier National Park in Two Days (Weekend Guide!)

    April 17, 2024
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  • Ultimate San Juan Islands Packing List (2025!)

    April 15, 2024
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Newer Posts 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 12 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.

maddymarq

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

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
How do you get back into running?🤷🏼‍♀️ How do you get back into running?🤷🏼‍♀️ one step at a time I guess 

#running #essay #outdoors
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.
Last one is a plot twist 😉🛶🥾🏕️ #kay Last one is a plot twist 😉🛶🥾🏕️

#kayak #adventure #greatlakes 

📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
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