“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life” ― Michael Palin, comedian, actor, travel writer and travel documentarian
I haven’t had enough business yet to be inundated with the question: “Why did you name your travel business Two Herons Travel?” So I figured I’d answer it now—before the inquiries roll in—so I can spend more time planning your trip of a lifetime!
The heron idea?
Remember those adventurous parents I mentioned in Blog Post #1? Well, they often left me and my sister in the loving care of our maternal grandparents—Avery and Marion, aka Grandma and Grandpa. They had a sweet little house in Fort Collins, Colorado, but also a cozy cabin an hour away in Meeker Park, just 15 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.
We loved spending time with our grandparents—they were adventurous spirits too! I vividly remember one stay at the cabin when our parents were off exploring somewhere new. I was feeling a little sad and lying on the couch when Grandma Marion noticed my teary eyes fixed on a map on the wall, dotted with pins marking all the places they’d traveled.
She immediately brightened the mood. “Let’s find where your parents are!” she said. The distraction worked, and soon after we were off feeding chipmunks and walking among wildflowers. Grandma and Grandpa were both nature lovers and birdwatchers. Sadly, we lost Grandma Marion far too soon—when I was still in high school.
Fast forward to adulthood...
My sister Suzanne and I have become the friends everyone hopes for their children. Over time, we noticed a funny trend—one of us would text, “Oh cool, a blue heron just flew over!” It started happening a lot. Eventually, we decided blue herons were Grandma Marion’s way of checking in on us, and now we often text each other BHS (Blue Heron Sighting).
Fast forward again…
When I decided to retire from teaching and dive into this new adventure as a travel advisor, Suzanne and I talked about eventually conquering this business together. We’ve shared some hilarious and life-changing travel experiences, so it felt natural that we’d make a great team.
Naming the business, though? That was a journey in itself! Have you ever tried to buy a domain name? It’s not as easy as you’d think. We spent months trying to find one that wasn’t taken. We really wanted “Blue Heron Travel”—but of course, that was taken. So we decided: I’m Heron 1, and she’s Heron 2. And that’s how Two Herons Travel was born.
We know Grandma Marion would be proud of this adventure. And though the name might be personal, the mission is universal: helping others discover their passion through travel—just like Grandma passed on to our mom, and our mom passed on to us.
Reflecting on this story…
It’s amazing how much the world has changed, how small it has become. Travel is more accessible than ever, and I often think how incredible it would’ve been to take a vacation with our parents and grandparents together. These are the kinds of experiences that give life its meaning.
Whenever I’m talking travel, I always say:
“If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen.”
So—what are the chances I can help you plan a multigenerational family trip?
-A European river cruise? Yes!
-Rainforests in Costa Rica? Absolutely!
-Alaskan cruise? Let’s do it!
-Caribbean beaches? Of course!
There are so many ways to explore the world together—don’t let time slip away. Let’s plan that family trip now.
My parents are self-made adventure enthusiasts and my older sister and I went along with them, happily. I don't think I realized how much I enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone, watching how cultures were different and seeing how my parents navigated the thrills of travel. I wish I had a better memory of the early days, sitting in the backseat in my dad's 1969 fastback Mustang with pink plaid upholstery, my parents sharing the driving from Evergreen, Colorado to Playa De Cortez, Guaymas, Mexico. I regret the times my older sister and I fought, despite the funny stories it created. I remember loving the tuna fish on crackers, but not letting my mom know, as I knew it wouldn't be as good at home. I can't forget the late afternoon of our family photo session, where my mom made dresses out of this odd material that we had to wear (I still don't ever wear dresses) and wearing the matching sandals made my sunburned feet feel even worse. The resulting photo makes me laugh, despite the pain. I remember never wanting to get out of the water, whether it was snorkeling or the pool. I remember loving the waiter at the restaurant by the pool, as if he were my own grandfather. I know the area isn't what it was then, but every place has its time. While writing this, I looked the place up, and I'm surprised how much the "resort" hasn't changed, but I swear one of the rooms has the same bed spread. The greatest thing about it is that I don't have to remember it all to remember how those trips were the happiest time for all 4 of us! That's the beauty of travel.
In this blog, I hope to share different locations and experiences that I have had. But also inform readers of aspects of travel that spark a passion in the same way that I feel. Thanks for reading.
June 11th, 2025