• Home
  • Blog
    • Midwest
      • Michigan
      • Wisconsin
      • Minnesota
    • Travel
      • Pacific Northwest
      • British Columbia
      • Southwest
    • Beginner Outdoor Guides
    • Creator Tips
    • Hello Stranger Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Work With Me
  • About
    • about me
    • full publications list
hello stranger midwest adventure
  • Best Kayaks for Beginners (by a kayak guide!)

    June 16, 2024

    Looking for the best kayaks for a beginner kayaker? Here’s the ultimate guide to buying your first kayak:

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

    Ultimate Kayaking Packing List (by a Kayak Guide!)

    April 2, 2024

    Planning a kayaking trip? For what to pack for kayaking, how to pack, and more, read this article!

    Read more
  • Winter Kayaking: Best Gear & How to Layer

    November 1, 2023

    For the best gear and how to layer for winter kayaking, read this article!

    Read more
  • 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…

    Read more
  • kayaker explores the sea caves of sand island in the apostle islands national lakeshore, a four hour drive from Minneapolis

    30 Inspiring Great Lakes Kayaking Photos

    April 17, 2022

    come explore and sea kayak some the 30 most beautiful kayaking locations on the great lakes!

    Read more
  • image of a Yellow Sea kayak at the Pictured Rocks Cliffs on Lake Superior

    Seven Secrets for Stunning Kayak Photos

    September 23, 2021

    Want to learn how to take great kayak photos? From paddling technique, to locations, to composing the perfect paddling photos, here is a complete guide on how to take great photos from a canoe or…

    Read more
  • A windsurfer on Lake Superior by Artists Point Grand Marais MN

    8 Tips for Fall Kayaking: What to Wear & How to Layer

    September 5, 2021

    Looking for the best clothes for fall kayaking? Wondering what to wear kayaking in the shoulder season? Check out what to wear fall kayaking

    Read more
  • A loon on a small quiet lake near Traverse City, Michigan

    7 Beautiful Places to Kayak in Traverse City, MI

    September 1, 2021

    Looking for the best kayaking near Traverse City? Read this article for the best places to kayak near Traverse City, Michigan

    Read more
  • Kayaking Sand Island Sea Caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

    Five Best Places to Kayak on Lake Superior

    July 11, 2021

    Looking for the best kayaking spots on Lake Superior? Read this article to find Lake Superior sea caves, sea arches, and the best spots to kayak!

    Read more
  • A yellow kayak on Lake Superior by the red and orange Pictured Rocks Cliffs

    8 Best Hiking Trails & Adventures in the Pictured Rocks

    February 19, 2021

    Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has sandstone cliffs, great swimming spots, sea kayaking and more! Here are some of the best hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks:

    Read more
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

maddymarq

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

Autumn in Michigan 🍁🛶🏕️ 1-3 sleeping b Autumn in Michigan 🍁🛶🏕️1-3 sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore (1📸 @rachelamai I told you I’d post that photo every year and now it’s like year 6!!)4-6 @boyne.mountain skybridge this weekend7-9 Isle Royale National Park*10-12 Porcupine Mountains 13- Petoskey stone14- bond falls15- long drive :)*all photos from national park sites are old! I’m not visiting national park sites during the government shutdown to help protect them from overuse without maintenance and I recommend the same! 📍Odawa and Ojibwe traditional homelands
“the Midwest is ugly”🍁🥾🪵 Okay explai “the Midwest is ugly”🍁🥾🪵Okay explain Traverse City in fall then 🙃 Come say hi at @maddymarq for Midwest adventure ideas :)📍Traditional homelands of the Odawa Nation
Weekend in Michigan 🍁🥾🪵 1- morning from Weekend in Michigan 🍁🥾🪵1- morning from a lake2- found a spot3- breakfast and a new book4- a little hidden overlook5- birch & fog 6- cherry town :)7- lake like a mirror 8- leaf!9- early morning 10- Crystal clear water11- the bridge 12- me & Andy 📍Traditional homelands of the Odawa Nation
That cliff is ~25 ft for reference🤯 Head over That cliff is ~25 ft for reference🤯Head over to @maddymarq for more Lake Superior spam :)📍Lake Superior is the traditional and cultural homeland & waters of the Anishinaabe Indigenous Nation
adventures inspired by curiosity> Navigation & to adventures inspired by curiosity>Navigation & topography are omg of my favorite challenges, so I spent a little while using the approximate position of the plane heading into Seattle, the video I’d taken, and topographical maps (no Google!!) to see if I could find a hike up to the pretty blue rock flour lake I could see from the plane.Needless to say I found the lake and it was just as pretty to visit by foot, and such a fun challenge to find a place without using guidebooks, apps, or blogs✨This is an established hike, but in the spirit of curiosity, see if you can figure out where it is on your own using good old-fashioned maps & geology (ie, where are there rock flour lakes?!) Thanks @itsevajane for coming on this wild goose chase with me :)Videos unedited & shot on an iPhone 8📍 Traditional homelands of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Chelan Indigenous People
Follow on Instagram

looking for something?

private policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2025 Madeline Marquardt