Too Young for Beale?

As a Christmas present last year, my good friend and Alaska resident Brian 'Rozey' Rozell gave me a years subscription to Alaska Magazine. A fantastic gift and a peek into the wild west that is Alaska living. A recent article was written by some young parents, probably not unlike Lisa and I. This couple was an adventurous sort, living an outdoors life in the wilds of Yukon Territory. When their little one was born, they scoffed at those that told them their lives would not be as adventurous as before. They were determined to have their little one participate in as many outdoor adventures as they could muster. The article culminated in the author reflecting on a cross-country ski trip wherein she was pulling a sled with baby inside across the snow covered countryside...at something like 10 degrees below. And all the while she's wondering, "what am i doing?!".

I had one of those moments last night.

It was a Saturday evening. My mom and my cousin Tory are in town to meet the newest Watson and provide 'back up' to me and Lisa. After a great dinner at the Flying Fish in downtown Memphis, we hopped a trolley for a ride around our fair city and along the river. Lisa and I, Momma Bear, Tory, Nate-Dog, the young Prophet Eli and about 15 bikers from Effingham, IL. all packed into a trolley. And all 15 bikers wanting to peek at Baby Elias. And although it wasn't 10 below, it was about 90 above.

We hop off the trolley at Beale St. just to feel, again what its like to walk (and push a stroller) with your feet 10 feet off. And this is when it hit me...what am i doing? I'm pushing a stroller down Beale Street on a Saturday night. I'm surrounded by hundreds of bar hoppers holding 32 oz. plastic beer troughs with the words, "Big Ass Beer" emblazoned on the side. Now, I'm the first to believe that it's never too early to get your kiddo exposed to some good Blues music, but...maybe I've overshot this one.

And then, through the crowd, walking around folks like he's strolling comfortably through his own neighborhood, I spy Nathan, leading his mom, cousin and 'Grammie D' through the crowds on Beale. I'm not sure if to be proud or terrified. or both.