Working as an outdoor guide and freelance writer I tend to take a long summer, one that lasts half the spring and part of the fall. But this week I could feel the colder air and the tips of the maples are starting to red, and it’s started to feel a little like change and slowing down and apple cider.
I’ve had a really wild, beautiful summer. here’s what I’ve been up to:
summer recap from your friendly neighborhood outdoor guide & writer:
I started my summer in early May with a few week long road trip through the southern Midwest. I wound my way through the Great River Road and Shawnee National Forest, through Indiana and Kentucky’s Red River Gorge and eventually home, to Michigan, where I caught the most incredible Northern Lights show of my life.
From morel foraging and canoe trips in Michigan I headed back Up North to the Bayfield Peninsula and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore for an early May start to the guiding season. It was wet, and it was buggy.
I hosted my first group trips this summer! I’ve worked as a guide for almost six years now and for the first time this summer dove into hosting group trips where people can sign up to go with me specifically. I ran one beginner climbing trip and two incredible sea kayaking trips and I had so much fun doing them!
(To be totally honest, I was really nervous about running group trips like this. I’m actually a pretty private person and have come to enjoy anonymity when guiding— usually the people I take out on the water don’t know me from the internet, just as “Maddy the guide” if that makes sense. That, and I’ve been pretty hesitant to let strangers request me as a guide in general— working my job as a guide while also being on display as “Maddy from Instagram” adds a whole different layer to the already pretty hard work of guiding that I wasn’t sure I could quite handle yet. But the people definitely make the trip, and I met so many cool and incredible people on these trips this summer, and can’t wait to do it again!)
Have you ever had a place you get kind of obsessed with? For me this spring and summer, that was Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. I started reading about it over the winter and just became so fascinated by the geology and idea of unglaciated river valleys and drainage patterns all over the land. This June I headed down to explore the Driftless Region with Escape in A Frame, and it was sort of magical! Check out my list of Driftless Region favorites :)
Lessons! I’ve learned them. I’ve learned a lot about simple cause and effect, and about myself and what makes me a strong guide and paddler, and more recently now at the end of a long, hard summer season, I’m learning lots about asking for help and how that’s an okay thing to need.
Fall comes early up on Lake Superior gales sweeping over the Lake and cancelled trips and air that feels crisp, earth that smells like harvest and spice. I’ve spent the last eight or so years bouncing from place to place and adventure to adventure. For the first time in a long time I’m really truly ready to settle into a place. I want to decorate a kitchen and sign a lease that’s longer than just a few months. I want to stay on Lake Superior and know that the friends I’m making and place I’m choosing will be mine for a good long while. For the last few years, all of mine and Andy’s things have fit into our cars. I want a plant stand and a desk. I want nice dish-ware and a rust orange lamp. I think my next big lesson will probably be change, and learning to stay still.
Last minute Midwest Fall Trips you can book right now👀✨
Okayyyy it’s fall adventure weekend time! I’ve got a few small adventures planned for this beautiful little season, but here are some trip ideas you can (and should!) hop on:
Beginner-friendly backpacking in Pattison State Park: Camp above Little Manitou Falls for a night this September or October. This is a quick little hike in to some beautiful campsites and river/waterfall access. Current availability for Pattison State Park backpack-in sites for at least one-night any given weekend this September-October. This little route is probably one of my favorite little Up North secrets and is less than an hour from Duluth, MN.
Join my beginner-friendly women’s rock climbing trip in Tettegouche State Park: Come learn to climb with me and experienced guide Mason from Climb Forged (guide owned & operated!) in Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore with a group of other outdoorsy ladies! Mason and I are organizing camping for the weekend, so please email me (hello@madelinemarquardt.com) to join the camping and group potluck meals! This is truly beginner-friendly guided climbing, and I promise I will easily be the worst climber there, but it’s character building for me to be so bad at something so publicly, and I’m having fun with it!
Check out 19 beautiful fall hikes on the North Shore!
Backpack the Porcupine Mountains: One of the prettiest places to backpack in Michigan especially in the Fall, the Porcupine Mountains still have plenty of weekend campsite availability! Backpacking here has been on my bucket list for SO long now and I’m hoping to make it happen soon.
Head the Sleeping Bear Dunes: Have you heard of Michigan’s State Forest Campgrounds? These first come, first serve campgrounds often have availability, are well maintained, are quiet and scenic! Near the Sleeping Bear Dunes, check out the Platte River State Forest Campground, Lake Ann State Forest Campground, or Garey Lake State Forest Campground.
Check out the Shawnee National Forest: For late season fall color, head down to Southern Illinois and experience the beautiful Garden of the Gods and hike the Shawnee National Forest, five hours drive from Chicago.
Maddy, thank you so much for sharing your adventures! I am very exiting learn from you about Midwest as I recently relocated to MN. So impressed!
Maddy, what an amazing summer you had! I love hearing your adventures - you are so brave ❤️