Brad,

Sure it could be the head gasket, but unless its been overheated hard a bunch of times or you have 2 or 3 hundred thousand miles on it, I would take a close look at that water pump. I had one leak through the weep hole and by driving the air would sent the coolant under the car onto, you guessed it, the hot exhaust (thought I was losing a head gasket due to the anitfreeze smell). My point is look carefully before a mechanic takes your hint (and money) on the head gasket. Unless you run very low on coolant or overheat it, your not doing any damage (though its not the time for a 700 mile trip). Good luck.