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hello stranger midwest adventure

  • 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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  • 27 Bucket-List Michigan Hiking Trails (with maps!)

    April 19, 2024

    Searching for Michigan’s best hiking trails? Here are the 26 best hiking trails in Michigan for views, waterfalls, and swimming!

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  • 9 Best Michigan Road Trips for Outdoor Adventure

    January 14, 2024

    looking for the best road trips in michigan? check out this article for all the best road trip ideas in michigan!

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  • Best Photo Locations near Traverse City

    September 21, 2021

    Looking for the best photo locations near Traverse City, Michigan? From sand dunes to wild rivers, here are the best photography locations near Traverse City, Michigan.

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  • Fall Color on a backroad near Traverse City, in Northern Michigan

    7 Beautiful Fall Hiking Ideas in Northern Michigan

    September 3, 2021

    For the best fall hiking trails in northern michigan, hard hikes, easy hikes, and fall color, read on!

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  • 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

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  • Image of a rocky shore on Lake Superior with loons in the water. In the backgrounders is Split Rock Lighthouse on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior.

    15 Most Beautiful Great Lakes Destinations

    July 23, 2021

    Looking for the most beautiful Great Lakes travel destinations? Read this article for the 15 best summer vacation spots in the Great Lakes Region!

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  • Beachscape and sand dunes with crystal clear water at the Dune Climb Hike in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City

    11 Best Easy Day Hikes near Traverse City

    July 15, 2021

    Looking for the best day hikes near Traverse City? Read this article for the best hiking trails for families and hikers!

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  • A Kayaker in front of the Rock Harbor Light on Isle Royale; Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes

    Top Seven Great Lakes Hidden Gems

    April 14, 2021

    Looking for Great Lakes Hidden Gems? Come explore waterfalls, sea caves and Lake Superior Islands. These seven incredible spots belong on your bucket list.

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  • Sweeping views from Empire Bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    11 Best Hiking Trails in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

    February 18, 2021

    best hiking trails in the sleeping bear dunes for beaches, views, and more

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE exploring the Midwest eBooks ↓
it’s me I’m girls :/ it’s me I’m girls :/
hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟 hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟
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
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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt