With the end of his career drawing nearer by the day, Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross is trying to savor every moment he has left. He has had a bucket list of sorts, and with a three-city, 10-day road trip starting this weekend -- his last to the West Coast, in the regular season at least -- Ross is going to take full advantage.

The Cubs' road trip includes a stop in Los Angeles, where David Ross broke in with the Dodgers in 2002. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

“When I’m in these stadiums for the last time, that’s when it hits me,” Ross said Thursday before taking off for Denver. “Sitting on the bench in that last game in each series.”

The Colorado Rockies are the only one of the three teams on the trip Ross hasn’t played for, and the 39-year-old admits stops in San Diego and Los Angeles will be more “emotional” for him. He’ll feel it particularly strongly when he walks into Dodger Stadium next week: It’s where he broke into the big leagues in 2002.

“Where it all started,” Ross said, smiling. “I’m going to go up and do a presentation for Vin Scully from the Cubs.”

Scully, the Dodgers' longtime broadcaster, is also retiring, and Ross’ participation in saying good-bye is just one of many things he has planned for one of the last long road trips of his career.

“So in Denver I’m going to something outdoor-adventure-type thing,” he said. “I’ll tell you afterwards. Then in San Diego, I’m going to my favorite burrito place to get some for the boys. Then we have an off day before L.A.; I was thinking about taking a helicopter over there, but we might play Torrey Pines instead. Thursday I’m going to Jimmy Kimmel then to see our comedian fan Brody Stevens do stand-up. I’ll try to crash Dave Roberts' press conference. Then present with Vin Scully. I’ll be busy.”

The Summer of Ross has taken him to the "Rocky" steps in Philadelphia, on a helicopter ride over New York City and to Pebble Beach Golf Links. He has gone to the top of Willis Tower in Chicago and been on Lake Michigan for fireworks. On some trips he has brought his family, but with school starting for his kids, Ross will bond one last time with his teammates before saying good-bye in a couple of months.

“I’ve enjoyed every second with him,” an emotional Anthony Rizzo said. “I don’t want to think about it.”

Rizzo can't help put Ross’s retirement off for a while, but the only question when Ross walks away is whether he’ll do it as a winner in his final game, or end up like every other Cub who has come and gone before him -- at least since 1908.

“When that time comes, it’s all business,” Ross said of October baseball. “We have something special to do here.”

In the meantime, Ross has a few items to get to on that list before hanging them up.

“I’ve had a super busy summer,” Ross said, smiling. “It’s small moments throughout the trip that I’ll get nostalgic about. It’ll overcome me, then I’ll snap back.”