Hello Stranger by Maddy

Articles

Solo Road Trip HORROR Story

5 days ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I swore. A clump of wet, sandy mud fell out of my sleeping bag and onto the ground through my open car door. I sat huddled on a makeshift bed in my Subaru while it poured rain outside with the car door cracked trying to clean off the mud I had just tracked in. In vain, of course. All I was doing was further exposing my bedding to the elements. Night two of what was supposed to be a two week solo road trip, and already my sleeping bag has mud in it.
South of Sleeping Bear

1 week ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

The sun sets over ripples on a sandy beach; I boil water for hot cocoa. To the north, a tall lighthouse catches the orange glow. To the south, sloped sand bluffs curve out of sight. My sisters— I am the oldest of four— and I sit on a picnic blanket and talk. It looks like summer, but it isn’t. It’s late winter or early spring on the West Coast of Michigan (depending of course if you’re a glass half full or half empty kind of person).
STEAL These Midwest Road Trip Ideas

2 weeks ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

This time last year I was prepping for a three week solo road trip around the Midwest! This year I’m prepping for a little backpacking trip in the near future, and some fun rough water paddling weekends, but I’m feeling nostalgic for car camping in the rain. I’ve had a super busy winter, and I’m looking forward to a medium-busy spring.
my ultralight backpacking crisis

3 weeks ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

Can you feel it in the air? Longer days, sweet yellow light, the sound of rain on your window? I’m dusting off my backpacking gear. I’m dreaming of camping on a beach and waking up to fog in the morning, of living out of a backpack. A small backpack. Who needs a tent anyways? Maybe a tarp will do. oh hey there! This newsletter contains affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
I didn't grow up outdoorsy...

1 month ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

I used to wake up at 5:45 am in high school to curl my hair before class. I had a small library of dresses. I liked the outdoors, but I certainly wasn’t “outdoorsy”— I didn’t know I even wanted to be yet. Now things look a little different. I work as an outdoor guide and writer, and most of my wardrobe came from REI and thrift stores.
Does This Look Like Government Waste To You?

1 month ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

The first coffee shop we try is closing early. They’re short staffed— thus goes winter on Lake Superior— so we try another one with big open windows and a view of the Lake. It’s cold but sunny with ice fisherman dotting the frozen bay, a bike path winding between our table and a frozen beach. Beyond us to the northeast stretches the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, our local National Park home to sea caves and islands.
the edge of my comfort zone is a cliff

1 month ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

I’m a believer that there are different outdoor sports that fit for different people— there are ultra-runners which overlaps with the ultralight backpackers, and all backpackers are slowly descending toward ultralight whether they know it or not yet, there are kayakers which spirals into whitewater and canoe tripping, not to be confused with the surfers and snowboarders. There are the car campers and the National Park gurus and the van-lifers.
life on ice: hiking ON lake superior in Bayfield, Wisconsin

1 month ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

Hi from way up North! Last weekend, my friend Rachel and I headed up to Bayfield, Wisconsin for a girls weekend and I feel like a new person. Up until this winter I’ve worked a mix of odd jobs— sauna guide, barista— and freelance writing and photography projects. The “con” of vagabond life was the lack of stability— the pro, was I got outside all the time.
Winter Hiking Weekend Packing (VIDEO!!)

1 month ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

Everything I packed for a weekend hiking trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin (as told by your friendly neighborhood sea kayak guide!) Update: I did in fact wear the coat. READ: Detailed Guide to Winter Hiking for Beginners Links to gear mentioned (some of these are affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
best winter hikes on Lake Superior, ranked

2 months ago | hellostranger.substack.com | Maddy Marquardt

Winter hiking up on Lake Superior is absolutely magical, and I truly can’t recommend it enough! There’s something about the soft sound of snow, or the feeling of sun on your face, the glow of it through bare trees, the creek of a frozen waterfall that truly can’t be beat. Winter hiking has added risks compared to summer, especially where ice is involved. Be sure to consult locals on ice conditions, and when in doubt, don’t walk on frozen rivers or lakes.