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How HANDS in Nepal is Working to Provide Education and Hope in the Most Remote Villages of the Himalayas

In 2010, I went on a life-changing trip to Nepal with my father to hike the Annapurna trek in the Himalayas. Despite having traveled quite... Read More
How LifeStraw is Saving the Planet and Lives

For many of us, clean water is so plentiful and readily available that we rarely, if ever, pause to consider what life would be like... Read More
Discovering the Heart of Haiti’s Past at the Citadelle Henry

"Citadelle Henry is a living testimony of the determination of the people to consolidate their right to be sovereign and free, and to decide their... Read More
Finding my soul at the Playa San Josecito

"Witness and stand back from nature. That is the first step to the soul's freedom." - Sri Aurobindo Close your eyes for a moment and... Read More
A Stay in the Jungle at Amazonita Lodge

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and... Read More
Breathless in Bolivia

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller... Read More
Reaching up to the sky on top of Kilimanjaro

If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are... Read More
Exploring the Grand Canyon: A Hike Down the Rim to Ooh Aah Point

On the last day of our October visit to the Grand Canyon, I decided it was time to take a hike down off the rim... Read More

January 9, 2019January 16, 2019

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The Best Ski Areas in Minnesota

I love to ski and while here in the Midwest we don’t have the amazing mountains of Colorado or Utah, Minnesota surprisingly has quite a lot of ski areas to learn on and hone your skills. Lutsen Mountain, Afton Alps, and Welch Village are a few of my favorites however there are many more to hone your skills and embrace a Minnesota winter.

December 20, 2018December 20, 2018

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Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague: A Complete 2-3 Day Itinerary

Prague is a gorgeous city and with so much to see, it can become overwhelming. This guide focuses on the top touristic neighborhoods to see first for old world charm and architectural bliss: Malá Strana (Lesser Town), Old Town (Staré Město), Malá Strana (Lesser Town), and Hradčany (Prague Castle). All can be done on your own at a leisurely pace in two to three days.

December 10, 2018December 17, 2018

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The Best Hikes in Tucson’s Sabino Canyon

Tucson is a hiker lover’s paradise. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, a desert climate and four different mountain ranges surrounding the city, there are endless opportunities to take a beautiful walk or challenging hike in nature. One of the best places to hike in all of Tucson, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area with tons of hikes through both Sabino and Bear Canyon. While there are several hikes and walks to choose from, these are my top four recommendations for the best hikes in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area: The Phoneline Trail, Hike to Seven Falls, Blackett’s Ridge and Hutch’s Pool Loop.

December 2, 2018December 3, 2018

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Why Ecotourism and Sustainable Travel Must Be the Wave of the Future

As much as I love to travel, there is no doubt I feel concerned about the negative impact that travel can make on a place due to overtourism and additional stress on the environment. As... Read More

January 1, 2019

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My Year in Review: The Highlights and Adventures of 2018

2018 has been yet another whirlwind year awash with highs and lows. It hasn’t been the easiest year yet there have been plenty of wonderful adventures, special moments, time with family and those not so pleasant yet necessary life lessons.

September 25, 2018October 5, 2018

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My Ever-Changing Path of Life

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" . - Ralph Waldo Emerson Life is a fascinating journey. It is always changing and leading... Read More

September 18, 2018October 11, 2018

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A Chat with Life Coach Elena Sonnino

Elena Sonnino is a sought-after guide for living fully in the now to step into the spotlight of your life. As a life coach, speaker, and yoga teacher, her work is an invitation to unearth and attune to inner strength and wisdom. She inspires individuals and groups to remove self-imposed obstacles and explore the unexpected. Learn all about her inspiring work in this interview.

September 6, 2018

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Uncovering the Spectacular Beauty of the Parish Church of St. Maria and Florian

Has there ever been one of those magical travel moments when you decide on a whim to explore the area around you and uncover a hidden treasure? That is how I felt late one afternoon... Read More

January 16, 2019January 18, 2019

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How HANDS in Nepal is Working to Provide Education and Hope in the Most Remote Villages of the Himalayas

In 2010, I went on a life-changing trip to Nepal with my father to hike the Annapurna trek in the Himalayas. After that fateful trip, I began my blog and started helping HANDS in Nepal, a non-profit organization that works to promote education and reduce poverty in the remote Himalayan villages. In this post, HANDS in Nepal’s Director Jan Sprague updates us on the amazing work they are doing in some of the hardest reached areas of Nepal.

January 12, 2019January 12, 2019

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Transformational Travel to Guatemala: An Exclusive Interview with Tricia Hall

Since 2013 through a unique partnership, the Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry and the Community Cloud Forest Conservation have been offering transformative intergenerational travel trips to a remote part of Guatemala where families, couples and solo travelers alike can work side by side the local community and do good. The trip brings travelers to the highlands of Guatemala for an intercultural and educational opportunity to work with the Community Cloud Forest Conservation on projects in education and agroecology.

December 17, 2018

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Gifts that Give Back That Help Kids: Kupendo Kids

Kupendo Kids is a social impact company that is working to make a difference in Sub-Saharan Africa by selling ethically sourced, handcrafted toys that create jobs for women who need fair paying jobs to support their families. Every time you purchase a toy from Kupendo Kids, they deliver a toy to a child in need in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the perfect gift that gives back.

November 22, 2018

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How Feeding America is Helping to Feed America

On one of the largest holidays of the year in America, Thanksgiving, when most Americans are so full after eating such an enormous meal and a lot of the leftovers go to waste, it is hard to image that millions of people in this country go hungry.In fact, 1 in 8 people struggle with hunger in the U.S. Feeding America, a leading hunger relief organization, is working to fight hunger and here is how.