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I am making plans, more of a guide than a strict schedule, for how my summer will unfold. What will I do to make the most of my discretionary time? Where will I go? What will I do?

I remind myself that I am fortunate to have discretionary time. Many heads-of-family don’t have that luxury. I always try not to take that freedom for granted.

I am firming up plans with my son for a 10-day trip to the Maritimes. We are now determining the travel dates before filling in the blanks between departure and return.

It’s been many years since we last visited the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia to enjoy the weather and wine. Exploring over 100 wineries was a great excuse to travel along the back roads and take in the stunning views. Getting lost was all part of the adventure.

Last year, I bought a book about small museums across Alberta. Visiting some of them could make for a fun 3-4 day trip.

My new discovery for things to do is a website that lists information, locations, and pictures of roadside attractions across Canada. I remember that during a road trip across Canada, my wife and I were near Wawa, Ontario. I had seen pictures of their famous Canada Goose. We took a quick detour to see it and enjoyed the rest.

I think a break from the helter-skelter of sitting on the deck with a glass of wine, red or white-oh, the pressure of decisions—is well-deserved. One or more 3-day trips around Alberta and perhaps into British Columbia or Saskatchewan to enjoy roadside attractions, sample local coffee, and taste various flavours of ice cream in small shops. I can’t wait.

I believe my interest in small, off-the-beaten-path attractions stems from family trips when I was very young. I was visiting a small country museum with my parents. It had an Indigenous lens before that was trendy. There was a line that the museum curator said while sharing stories about the items and historical figures – “The thin skin of civilization peeled right off of him.”

I don’t remember the context, but the imagery has stayed with me for 70 years.

There are so many lists of interest that I’ll need another lifetime to explore; national and provincial parks, mysterious trails, waterfalls, a revisit to the Ancient Forest located an hour out of McBride, British Columbia, and small towns highlighted by Jonny Harris on CBC’s ‘Still Standing.’

Please give this a bit of a think. What is a list you can create that sparks your curiosity? Can you plan a trip this summer to enjoy one of these items on your list?

Please comment by sending me an email with your bit of a think. I am curious about your thoughts.

Photo by Lois Love

Click here to explore this list: Canadian Roadside Attractions

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