We’re setting off tomorrow for our first ever family road trip, around California. Since moving here in 2006, I’ve only ever driven as far north as San Simeon, and only visited San Francisco once. This time, we’ll be exploring more of the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Big Sur, and up to Sacramento before heading back to L.A. Aimee and I have planned this trip in different incarnations over the last few years, but we kept re-scheduling it for various reasons.

Now we’re excited to see how Grace will enjoy it; she usually begins yelling “All done!” after about 15 minutes in the car, so that first day’s drive, five hours to Big Sur, is going to be an interesting one. Napping in the car and sleeping in a different hotel room every few nights will also be interesting, but I’m sure she’ll enjoy the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other kid-friendly sights along the way. I have lunches at Apple and Pixar planned, plus we’re taking a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory, so there’s a little something for everyone.

And yes, this is the only entry I’ve posted for the entire month of March. I’m not going to come out and blame Grace, but let’s just say the free time I have isn’t being spent the same way it used to be. More doing, less writing about doing…which is a good thing.