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hello stranger midwest adventure
  • Image of a van on backgrounds on a road trip near Lake Michigan in full fall foliage

    13 Mind-Blowing Great Lakes Fall Color Getaways

    August 30, 2025

    Looking for the best fall color destinations in the Great Lakes? Read this article for cabins, overlooks, hiking, and more!

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  • 25 Things to do Sleeping Bear Dunes (by an outdoor guide!)

    March 3, 2025

    the best hiking, overlooks, beaches, places to eat, kayak, and more in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

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  • Views from Little Sand Bay, family beach campground on the great lakes

    15 Incredible Campsites on the Great Lakes

    March 9, 2023

    Looking for the best places to camp in the Great Lakes? Check out the most beautiful Great Lakes Campsites & Great Lakes camping trip ideas!

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

    Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 Review

    May 4, 2022

    Sponsored by Wilderness Systems This summer, I’ll be sea kayaking from Washington to Alaska 1300 miles along the Inside Passage, and my weapon of choice is a Wilderness Systems Tempest 165. The first sea kayak I…

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  • clear water and ripples with Empire Bluff in the background taken from the water at sleeping bear dunes

    Is Geotagging Ruining the Outdoors?

    April 29, 2021

    Is Geotagging ruining the outdoors? Your refusal to share outdoor locations and trails might be less about protecting the environment than you think.

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maddymarq

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

One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈 Come say hi @maddy One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈Come say hi @maddymarq for more Great Lakes spam!
Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan
Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫 I haven’t go Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫I haven’t gotten out on the water as much this winter as the last few years but we’ve still got at least a month of winter left up here :)Safety note:Winter kayaking on Lake Superior should only be done while wearing a drysuit and with local knowledge of weather and ice patterns and paddlers proficient deep water self rescue in conditions. Not a beginner activity (I don’t guide tours in the winter, but @itssuchaniceday up on the Canadian North Shore does when conditions allow and they’re cool folks!)[Note on the expired boat tags! Photos taken from winter ‘21-‘24, mostly in Wisconsin where I live so no, my boat is no longer registered in Minnesota (I moved in ‘23, which is why the boat sticker still says 23). I’m a huge square and definitely register my watercraft appropriately and stay up to date on necessary certifications]
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!
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© 2026 Madeline Marquardt