Word has it Erie will be feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Ernesto this long Labor Day weekend. Rain is forecasted for the entire weekend. Unfortunately, we've got several picnics and a canoe trip down the Allegheny River scheduled for this weekend. Looks like it may be a washout on all fronts.

I think we're going to have to move our annual canoe trip from Labor Day weekend -- we've been striking out in the weather-department for the last few years. Last year it was cold and drizzling which makes for a miserable day on the river. We're used to lazily meandering down the river -- our caravan of canoes -- drinking lots of beer, talking lots of smack and trying to tip over every one else's canoe. Last year, we just paddled, paddled, paddled to get it over with and get back to camp where we could drink lots of beer and talk smack in a warm, dry cabin.

I have a feeling we'll be mad paddlers this weekend, too.

I suppose I shouldn't complain -- we could be in the path of the storm and be worried about much more than a few ruined picnics and a cold canoe trip. But, we all have our burdens to bear -- the south has tropical storms and we have lake effect snow and bitter winters.

Which is why it's that much more annoying when our summers get cut short by a tropical storm that is no longer tropical by the time it reaches us.