I have booked a trip back to Ontario for August. It’ll be in the middle-end of the hot and humid season, but I lived in that for 41 years, I’m sure I can survive a week.

I’ll be arriving on a Friday, the Friday before the long weekend, what’s it called in Ontario, Civic Holiday I believe. I’ll head down to Niagara to start my trip and plan to spend some time out at a friend’s trailer near Dunnville Ontario. I’m sure I’ll be meeting with other friends, nothing is written in stone as yet of course.

I’m hoping to see another friend from Ottawa. We used to meet in Peterborough, which we discovered was about half way between Niagara and Ottawa.

I’ll visit my Aunt and Cousin of course, they are in downtown Toronto, right in the financial district.

One thing that I do want to do on this trip is scatter my parents ashes. My Mom passed away back in 1988 and my Dad in 2015. It’s not a significant event for me, but it’s something that needs to be done. My ex brother in law also has my sister Barb’s ashes so I plan on collecting those and scattering all three somewhere around Lock 3 of the Welland Canal where my Dad worked while I was growing up. My Aunt and Cousin will accompany me and after so long, it’ll finally be done.

The trip is going to be relatively expensive. The flight was just over $700. I’m renting a vehicle for the 8 days and that’s $900 and then there’s my dogs needing to be looked after, another $800 or so. Then there’s spending money for eating out, gas and other miscellaneous expenses.  I still need to arrange someone to look after the dogs.  Oh well, it’s just money and I can’t take it with me, can I?

The trip is in just under 5 months and I’m sure that time will fly by. Baseball season is nearly here and  I’m looking forward to umpiring again. The trip will happen after the season has ended, I’ll just miss some of the playoffs.

It should be a good trip, I’m looking forward to it.