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hello stranger midwest adventure
  • 16 Best Things to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota

    March 3, 2025

    Looking for the best things to do in Grand Marais, MN? Read this article for hiking, saunas, waterfalls and more!

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

    April 17, 2024

    Looking for the perfect weekend guide to visiting Minnesota’s North Shore!? Here is the best way to experience Minnesota’s North Shore in just 2-3 days!

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  • 13 Best Things to do in Two Harbors, MN

    February 2, 2024

    looking for the best things to do in two harbors, mn? read this article for the best hiking, where to eat and more!

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  • Image of Hiker's feet in front of Johnson Lake Overlook on the Superior Hiking Trail

    Best Things to do in Tettegouche State Park

    February 2, 2024

    Looking for the best things to do in Tettegouche State Park? Read this article for the best camping, hiking, and where to eat near Tettegouche State Park

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  • 30 Things to Do on the North Shore, MN (by a local guide!)

    April 26, 2023

    Looking for the best things to do on the North Shore? For the best hiking on the North Shore, incredible waterfalls, great food, beaches, and more on the North Shore, read on! Why me? I’ve…

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  • a full moon rises over the snowy gunflint trail on the north shore of Minnesota in the winter

    13 Epic Winter Adventures on the North Shore, MN

    January 16, 2023

    from dogsledding to winter hiking to the best places to eat, here are the best things to do on the north shore, mn in the winter!

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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

    The Ultimate Outdoorsy Guide to Grand Marais

    April 15, 2022

    Grand Marais, Minnesota is one of the best hidden trail towns in America, with access to not one but three thru- hiking trails! Grand Maras is also close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,…

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  • fall color spots in Northern MN for Instagram / Photography Rose Lake Cliffs on the Border Route with a hiker taking in the scenery

    16 Best Fall Color Hikes on the North Shore

    October 13, 2021

    Looking for the best fall hiking and fall color on the North Shore? Read this article for the most beautiful fall hikes on the north shore of minnesota

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  • Sea Smoke at the Grand Marais Lighthouse

    10 Best Photography Spots on the North Shore, MN

    July 8, 2021

    Looking for the best photography locations on Minnesota’s North Shore? Read this article to find the best waterfalls, overlooks, and sights for photographers!

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  • High Falls near Silver Bay, Minnesota begins to freeze in December

    Six Beautiful Frozen Waterfalls on Minnesota’s North Shore

    February 20, 2021

    There is something magical about the idea of rushing water brought to a complete standstill. Frozen waterfalls sound like something out of a fairytale, unique to places like Alaska or Norway. Under the radar and…

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maddymarq

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

Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupi Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a great spot for beginner friendly wilderness backpacking (think no cell service, but options for easier routes). Currently an area just outside the Porkies is the site of a proposed mine that could put the environment and Lake Superior’s waters at risk. Learn more and stay up to date on developments @protect_the_porkies 

📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
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
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.
how I ended up in the Midwest, and liking it✨🥾 (abridged version) 

[photo no 6 shot by @emksks (edit by me), 5 shot by Andy (my partner), others shot by me]

#midwest #adventure #outdoors
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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt