I’m, yet again, updating my travel plans.

IBM has discontinued my benefits for whatever reason. They’ve also said that I’m not getting severance pay, I’m speaking with a lawyer about that at 7am this morning. I can’t say more about that.

So, without travel insurance and with a pre-existing medical condition, I can’t afford out of country coverage, never mind that, I’m not eligible. So, travel to the US would be risky, to say the least.

I’d still like to visit Alaska with the dogs. We’ll be camping which will keep costs down. Not going for sure, but still thinking about it.

I am not planning on returning to Ontario although I was offered accommodations with a friend that I met in grade 7. I’m not visiting in the immediate future anyway.

I’ve officially invited other friends to visit Calgary any time this summer. They are considering driving here from Ottawa. It would be great to see them. I was in their wedding party in 1999 and have known them since 94 or 95. If that happens, it’ll happen soon, in the next two months. That would be awesome.

I’m still planning on a road trip to Edmonton on August 17 to celebrate my eldest nieces birthday. My sister in law and I will go up for the day. That’ll be in my new Ford Bronco and my first official trip using that vehicle.

The trip to Denver would be 5 or 6 days, another road trip. It’s sorta of going to depend if a buddy will come with me to help with driving. I just asked my other buddy NOT to cancel the hotel reservations so hopefully he hasn’t as yet.

I was also planning on visiting Idaho at the beginning of October and if I go, it’ll have to be a week earlier as my sister in law leaves for her winter destination of Texas at the beginning of October. I’d need to change my hotel reservations a week or so earlier. Shouldn’t be an issue, I hope.

My friends from Idaho are still coming next week, they arrive Thursday. Here’s our newest itinerary.

Day 1 – Thursday July 2

Arrival mid-afternoon. Driving tour of Calgary after checking into their suite and reacquainting with Twix and meeting Apollo. We’ll have dinner, likely out and likely at Glitch Gaming Lounge in Airdrie.

Day 2 – Friday July 3

Trip to Waterton National Park and on the trip back to Calgary, stop in Twin Butte to the General Store which has the best Mexican food north of Mexico and a stop in Cowley Alberta to Backcountry Butchers for food for the BBQ.

Day 3 – Saturday July 4

Open day around Calgary – Happy Independence Day, we’ll have to watch Independence Day on TV.

Day 4 – Sunday July 5

Drumheller to visit the dinosaurs

Day 5 – Monday July 6

Trip to Banff Alberta, ride the gondola to the top of the mountain, lunch at the top.

Day 6 – Tuesday July 7

Calgary Stampede after having breakfast in High River Alberta

Day 7 – Departure after having an early breakfast

That’s not written in stone and this is the third revision. Not that I like to plan ahead.

LOL, it’ll be a good week anyway for sure and I’m looking forward to seeing my friends.