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hello stranger midwest adventure

Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail (At a Glance!)

Looking to tackle the US’s shortest thru hike? Hop on a ferry and head out to Catalina Island off the coast of LA for a 38.5 mile backpacking adventure. From…

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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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  • 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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  • image of wilderness systems pungo at sunset in Big Island Lakes Wilderness

    Ultimate Kayaking Packing List (by a Kayak Guide!)

    April 2, 2024
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  • Palisade Head at Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore of Minnesota

    Nine ways to Leave No Trace on the North Shore, MN

    March 19, 2024
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  • Potato River Falls near Ashland Wisconsin Northwoods Hiking Trails

    Ultimate Northern Wisconsin Waterfall Road Trip 

    March 15, 2024
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Newer Posts 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 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!

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maddymarq

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

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 ♥️
4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️ - 38.5 m 4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️- 38.5 mile challenging thru-hike- ferry required to get there- campsite reservations/permits open the first of the year - bison! endemic species! cetaceans! oh my!- not a great beginner backpacking trip, but a good beginner thru-hike- options to grab lunch along the way and resupply, easy to keep pack weight low- on one of California’s Channel Islands Tag your hiking buddy mines @explorenborgen :) come say hi @maddymarq for fun little outdoorsy tips from your favorite unhinged outdoor guide!
4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️ - 38.5 m 4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️- 38.5 mile challenging thru-hike- ferry required to get there- campsite reservations/permits open the first of the year - bison! endemic species! cetaceans! oh my!- not a great beginner backpacking trip, but a good beginner thru-hike- options to grab lunch along the way and resupply, easy to keep pack weight low- on one of California’s Channel Islands Tag your hiking buddy :) come say hi @maddymarq for fun little outdoorsy tips from your favorite unhinged outdoor guide!
You should still come up :) 🥾 hike Meyers beach You should still come up :) 🥾 hike Meyers beach sea caves trail from above 🎿 ski mt ashwabay 🌈 hike a frozen waterfall (Houghton falls, amnicon falls, lost creek falls, twin falls)🌅 explore a frozen beach ❄️ grab a bite to eat & stay somewhere cute ☃️ hike on the bay! Research ice conditions first! Check in at a local outdoor shop for up to date conditions before headed out— if the ice road is open, it’s a good indicator that the ice on the bay is solid for hiking Come say hi at @maddymarq for more northwoods adventures 📍Bayfield, Wisconsin
California’s Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️ - 38.5 mi California’s Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️- 38.5 mile challenging thru-hike- ferry required to get there- campsite reservations/permits open the first of the year - bison! endemic species! cetaceans! oh my!- not a great beginner backpacking trip, but a good beginner thru-hike- options to grab lunch along the way and resupply, easy to keep pack weight low- on one of California’s Channel Islands Tag your hiking buddy :) come say hi @maddymarq for fun little outdoorsy tips from your favorite unhinged outdoor guide!
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