Here's a rare pic of Julian in a stroller. Normally he's an Ergo backpack baby, but he likes to push this umbrella stroller around, so yesterday I put him in and took off on our dogwalking journey around the neighborhood. He liked it, but it hurt my back. Too low. I had to hunch over to reach the handles.

I went to yoga twice last week (thanks for motivating me, Laura Hagan!) and the Yoga Soreness hit me last night like a ton of bricks. I always get it after I've been away from yoga for a while, then I'm fine. I hauled my ass off the couch and slunk into the hot tub, which made it all good again. And while I was out there, I had a chance to look up at the stars, zone out, and get some good thinking done.

The good thinking was very productive. I decided to forget about flying to visit my family next month. Instead, Julian and I will ROAD TRIP! No, I'm not crazy, though everyone seems to think that being in a car with an 18-month-old kid for a week or two is pretty nuts.

Really, it will be fun! Just the cure for my bad wanderlust. I have a relatively free schedule, good maps, nice weather, and a reliable hybrid sedan that gets 45 mpg. What more can I ask for? It's the perfect solution.

I wish Dan could come for the whole thing. I'm trying to convince him to fly out and meet us along the way when he can get a few days free.

If it's awful, we can always come home. But really, with just me and Julian, what's to get fussy about? If he doesn't feel like being in the car, we'll stop and sightsee. We can drive for his nap every day, stay with family or in little motels at night. Even camp a little...why not?

So many possibilities...down the Pacific coast and up the eastern side of the Sierras? Or should we go down the western side of the Sierras and explore there? Not sure. I think I'll buy some guidebooks and get a fresh perspective on my home state.

So that's the plan and I'm excited. Late August, early September...on the road!