I've always hankered for a good road trip and in my time I've done a few. Particularly out West, there is no feeling like the feeling of being behind the wheel and just going, the earth ahead, around, and behind and the unending, magnificent expanse of sky. Those have been times for feeling really connected to something more important, whatever that is or might be. There was a time, maybe almost fifteen years ago, when I drove two or three times across country; once from L.A. to Rochester, New York, another time from Denver to Maine. Those are some memories, there...

Maybe I'll think back on this year as a great travel year. Certainly I've done more than this year than in other recent years. Starting with Washington, D.C. for New Years', two trips to Boston, the trips to Miami and Pittsburgh and a week in Colorado -- and I have a full-time job and we're only in June.

More travel plans are in the works. Although there was a lot of talk after the elections of folks emigrating to other countries, in my little world it's a reality: In the last few years, two sets of friends have permanently left for Canada. I'm planning a trip to see them.

It was sticker-shock logging on to bargain airfare sites to pull back fares approaching $1,000. (Guess I got a little too used to under-$200 fares.) Then I thought, Amtrack and Canada-rail how romantic, but railroad tickets were almost as much or more, weaker Canadian dollar notwithstanding.

So I've decided to drive. Honda gets great gas mileage and I will get to see a part of both countries I've never seen before. Plus: Grace can come along. She loves a ride in the country as much as I do.

Tentatively, I am planning on driving North through Minneapolis/St. Paul and then head due West out of Fargo. I will drive through Montana and across the thin sliver of northern Idaho, before heading North again past Spokane to Penticton, B.C., where one set of friends have moved.

On my way back, I will travel across the Canadian plain and visit my other set of friends in Calgary. Then on to Winnipeg. Not sure then if I'll return to Fargo in one great loop there, or continue East until turning South above Great Falls and Duluth...