• 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
  • image of clear waters of the US Virgin Islands National Park

    Midwest Spring Break Ideas (by an outdoor guide!)

    February 1, 2025

    Looking for midwest spring break ideas? Read this article for the best spring break destination for Midwest Adventurers!

    Read more
  • 18 Epic Winter Travel Destinations in the Midwest

    November 20, 2024

    Looking for the best winter vacations in the Midwest? From cross-country skis to small towns, here are the best places to visit in the Midwest in winter:

    Read more
  • How to plan solo female road trip header image

    How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip (for Solo Female Travelers)

    January 10, 2024

    looking for how to plan a road trip for solo female travleers? Read this article for everything you need to know to plan your first road trip!

    Read more
  • Blue Hour in the Meghri Mountains of Armenia

    One Year Later: Peace Corps Evacuation of 2020

    March 16, 2021

    One year ago today Peace Corps Volunteers were sent home from their homes and jobs abroad. I was one of them.

    Read more
  • Ripples in a Michigan Lake hold sunset light

    New year: a note from pandemic winter

    February 19, 2021

    A year ago, we poured a bottle of cheap champagne off a balcony in Berlin. On a shoestring budget, the bottle was completely undrinkable, somehow all too sour and too sweet and too bubbly. We…

    Read more

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
Follow on Instagram

looking for something?

private policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2025 Madeline Marquardt