For the past month and I half or so, I’ve been working on something exciting! While I’ve been lucky to sea kayak guide and expedition paddle in some of the best places in the world, for me there is no place quite like Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. This summer, I’m running a beginner-friendly 5-day women’s sea kayaking trip there with Chicas Abroad!
I met the Chicas Abroad crew last summer, guiding in the San Juan Islands of Washington and they were easily my favorite trip of the summer to guide. This winter, when Chicas reached out to see if I was interesting with guiding with them and creating my own trips and itineraries, I couldn’t be more stoked!
For the past month and half, I’ve been working on logistics to get this trip up and running, and the link is finally live:
(You can use the code MADDY24 for $50 off your registration)
This trip is designed to be beginner-friendly and take paddlers out to camp under the stars on the beautiful Apostle Islands, swim at remote beaches, and of course, explore some of the best sea caves the Apostles have to offer. One thing that makes this trip unique is that we will be focusing on building skills and confidence in the outdoors!
This means rather than simply guiding you through the islands, we’ll be spending time looking at charts together and I’ll explain why we’re going a certain route over another. We’ll talk about the local history and weather patterns in the area, and practice sea kayak safety as well. I’ll share meal planning tips, and helping anyone who needs it learn how to pitch a tent, and basic outdoor tips they don’t always teach you online, like using KT tape for blister prevention.
Most importantly we’ll be working on goal setting and building confidence and comfort outside, and meeting ourselves where we’re at with those comfort levels.
The goal of this trip is not just that you leave with a great experience, but that you leave Lake Superior and sea kayaking savvy!
Right now, our dates are July 19-23rd and we have just 11 spots. Feel free to email me at hello[at]madelinemarquardt.com with your questions, or leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to get back to you in 2-3 business days!
other news & what i’ve been up to…
I spent the last week exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula on a project with Visit Keweenaw! The Keweenaw is the Peninsula on the northernmost edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (I know, that’s a lot of peninsula!), and it’s one of my favorite places in the world to visit.
When I was 21, I did my first ever solo road trip here and the Pictured Rocks, and it’s really just a wonderful place. Here’s what that most recent trip looked like…
Despite what is likely record low snowfall, we were still able to find winter up in the Keweenaw. One of the coolest things about the Great Lakes in the Winter are the changes to spot freshwater icebergs; you can really find places that look and feel like the arctic.
the hat is from my handknits shop, which I just updated this week :) code NEWSLETTER20 for 20% off my entire online shop
A Great Lakes iceberg aka, a piece of shelf ice that’s broken off and is now floating in Lake Superior.
we found some pretty snow covered trails— few and far between, but we did find them!
A cinnamon cardamom roll from the Nisu Finnish Bakery. These were so good and honestly perhaps worth the trip in themselves.
Sunrise at the breakwater. One of the cool things about a peninsula is that you get both the sunrise, and sunset over the lake.
The sunset over Great Sand Bay on M26— the scenic drive from Copper Harbor to Eagle River is beautiful in all seasons but honestly even better in the winter when you and see more easily through the trees and there’s plenty of shore ice.
Andy looking down the canyon at Canyon Falls. This was a really cool waterfall but the trail was SO SLICK and honestly I wasn’t brave enough to get much lower down than this, even with spikes and good traction. I couldn’t get the thought of falling into the river out of my head, which is about the last place I would want to end up in the winter.
start planning your summer adventures…
Check out nine Michigan road trips for outdoor adventures!
After 8-months living in Washington, I put together the ultimate 7-day PNW road trip leaving from and returning to the SeaTac airport!
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