Spring Has Sprung

Here in Jasper the Prairie Crocus is the first sign that spring has truly arrived.  They make their appearance among the wild fescue grass on the airfield shortly after the snow has gone and the soil is moistened by a spring rain shower.  This year they are a sign that I have to consider my options for my outdoor trip in memory of Eva, Hazel and Lily, my three granddaughters that we lost as babies.  My original plan was to travel to Italy with my brother where we were going to walk from the north to the south of Tuscany along the Via Francigena.  All of my travel plans were organized and booked before the end of December and before Covid-19 became an issue.  So now - what to do?  At the moment we have no idea what the airlines are going to do about international flights at the end of August and what they intend to do about refunds for passengers that want to cancel their reservations.  All I can do is come up with a contingency plan to put into effect if it is inadvisable for two old guys like my brother and me to travel to the UK and Italy before the pandemic is completely under control and transmission is effectively zero.  This blog will share my thoughts on the alternative travels that I am considering with the pros and cons of each and the plans that would be necessary for each.  I'll try to make it as interesting as possible with maps and pictures of each possibility.