Home Page - Thirdeyemom

Empowering Maya Women at the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative in Belize

I woke up to the singsong sound of birds as the sun burst through the drapes, casting a zigzag of light across my room. After... Read More
Tucson Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Tucson

Tucson, with her laid-back charm and sunny disposition, has long been a top destination for travelers craving a visit to the American Southwest. With an... Read More
Backpacking with a Purpose with Operation Groundswell

For the past two years, I've been a proud member of Impact Travel Alliance, a global community of change makers, passionate about transforming the travel... Read More
The Five Best Family Hikes Along Minnesota’s North Shore

Less than four hours away from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, lay hundreds of opportunities to explore pure and relatively untouched nature.... Read More
Gifts for Good Tackles the Corporate Gifting Industry to Give Back

Today, U.S. corporations spend over $60 billion every year on corporate gifts but donate less than a third of that to charitable causes. For Jerry... Read More
A Magical Hike in Chile’s Parque Andino Juncal

"Frigid winds blow as we turn into the glacier’s gorge. Without foreseeing we begin to step on ice that shines in between the fallen rocks of surrounding towering mountains" - Nicolás Echenique,... Read More
A Drive along Romania’s Stunning Transfăgărășan Highway

I fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) tend to be that traveler who has to try to see it all no... Read More
Trinidad: The Color of Cuba

Tucked away atop the hillside of the surrounding Sierra del Escambray mountains in Central Cuba lies one of Cuba's most precious colonial jewels: The beautiful colonial city... Read More

October 3, 2019

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Chamonix: The Most Beautiful Town at the Heart of Mont Blanc

Chamonix is perfectly located in the heart of the Chamonix Valley in the northwestern part of the Alps at a natural border created where three countries, France, Italy and Switzerland converge. Given its prime location, there are exceptional panoramic views of endless peaks and glaciers all throughout the town. It is a place to stop and stare in awe at its breathtaking beauty. A place to linger.

September 25, 2019

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Our Black Diamond Hike to the Top of La Breya in Champex-Lac, Switzerland

After our beautiful drive through the Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass in Switzerland, we headed to the traditional Swiss town of Champex-Lac to meet up again with the Tour de Mont Blanc. Champex-Lac is one of the most idyllic Swiss mountain villages I’ve ever seen as it is surrounded by a beautiful lake with the magnificent Alps towering above in nearly every direction. Nestled in the French-speaking Canton of Valais, Champex-Lac is the perfect place to linger and spend a day or two soaking in its beauty and taking a hike.

September 19, 2019

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A Drive through the Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass in Switzerland

The famous Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass is the third highest alpine pass in Switzerland and was once Europe’s most important ancient thoroughfares. A stop at the museum and to meet some Saint Bernards is definitely worth it while heading on to the Tour de Mont Blanc.

September 13, 2019

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Aosta Valley, Italy: Hike to the Lovely, Remote Lac Long

We set off on a glorious summer day heading north through the nostalgic Italian countryside and then climbing up through the winding roads leading to Bionaz, a remote agricultural community that runs along the Buthier River where the Valle d’Aosta meets Switzerland. We ventured through some of the most pristine alpine scenery and villages we’d seen so far on our trip and I longed to have more time to spend there to explore.

After about 55 minutes we arrived at the end of the road, at the Dam at the Place-Moulin. We were surrounded by the high peaks of the Alps and the ribbons of glaciers that feed the gorgeous aquamarine high alpine lakes throughout the valley. Our hike would begin at the stunning Lac de Place-Moulin and continue on up to Lac Mort.

July 2, 2019

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Natural Habitat Adventures Paves the Way in Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Conservation

As the desire for up close and personal wildlife tours increases, concerns have grown about how to help protect animals in the wild especially in the face of climate change, irresponsible wildlife encounters, and an increase in poaching of certain species. Thankfully the demand for ethical wildlife tourism is on the rise and Natural Habitat Adventures, a global leader in responsible nature travel is helping pave the way

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019

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How Intrepid Travel is Changing the Way We See and Impact the World

Intrepid Travel -the world’s largest adventure travel company – is changing the way we see and impact the world. With over 1,000 tours in 120 countries, Intrepid has done wonders to promote responsible tourism and help make a positive impact on where they travel. Learn all about how they are inspiring the next generation of responsible travelers.

May 15, 2019May 31, 2019

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Experience Life in A Village with Duara Travels

Have you ever dreamed of getting a glimpse into the life of a villager in a far off place completely off the tourism grid? Duara Travels is a social impact tourism enterprise that connects travelers with the opportunity to experience village life, living alongside locals in villages in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania, Ghana, Nepal and Kenya. When you book a village experience through Duara Travels, you get to visit places out of reach for most travelers affording a unique opportunity to meet local people and see real village life. Furthermore, these visits are a great way to support local communities and provide a sustainable income that helps the entire community while supporting sustainable tourism.

May 5, 2019May 31, 2019

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Traveling Off Season with Off Season Adventures

Meet Off Season Adventures, a sustainable adventure travel company that curates immersive experiences designed to delight and empower both the traveler and the destination. I learned about Off Season Adventures in my research to create an ever-growing list of amazing sustainable travel organizations that are working to change not only the way we travel but the world.

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019

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Smile Network International: Kim Valentini’s Quest to Change Lives Around the World, One Smile at a Time

Smile Network International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides life-altering reconstructive surgeries to impoverished children and young adults around the world. Their mission is “to reconstruct lives, one bright, smiling face at a time”. Since 2003, Smile Network has become a truly global operation, performing over 4,000 life-changing surgeries in 11 countries across five continents. Meet Kim Valentini, a woman to change the world, one smile at a time.

June 6, 2019August 3, 2019

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World Oceans Day: What it Means to Us and How You Can Help Conserve Our Oceans

June 8th is World Oceans Day, a day delegated by the United Nations to raise awareness, and to protect and celebrate the major role that oceans have in supporting everyday life. Our oceans are threatened and we as travelers can follow these guidelines to help protect the future health of our planet.

May 28, 2019May 31, 2019

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EOS International: Bringing Safe Drinking Water to Central America

Did you know that 85% of people in Central America do not have access to safe drinking water? EOS International is working to empower rural families in Central America with access to safe drinking water and opportunities to generate income through simple technology solutions and education. Since their founding in 2008, EOS has accomplished 2,325 installations of simple, inexpensive, and locally serviceable technologies have helped over 534,167 Central Americans access safe drinking water and opportunities to generate income. Learn more in this interview with Wes Meier, CEO and co-founder of EOS International.

August 14, 2019

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Focus on the Bay Area with Jane Lurie Photography

Meet San Francisco-based photographer Jane Lurie, the creative mind behind Jane’s Lens. Jane shares her favorite places to photograph in the Bay Area and also shares her tips on how she shoots so beautifully in the fog.

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.