This place deserves a post all it’s own.  I had searched for a nice place for supper and with the aid of my app “Poynt” found a resturant listed as Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse.  We plugged the address into the GPS and headed out.  When we arrived at the address, or so says the GPS, there was no resturant.  We made a block and tried again.  Nothing. Not wanting to give up, I picked up the phone and called to perhaps ask for directions.  They answered and low and behold we were in the right place.  Hidden Valley was right.  He instructed us to the double black doors with a red light above it.  He also instructed that we would need a password after we knocked on the door.  Seriously?  What had we gotten ourselves into?  Greg and I proceed to the door and knocked, a little window in the door opens and a gentleman with a heavy Jersey accent ask for a password….what the heck.  The he asks if we are cops or wearing a wire?  Curosity has taken over the hunger and I can’t wait to see what is in store.  We enter a dark small room with a desk and walls of books…that’s it…nothing else.  This gentleman then starts giving us the fifth degree about secrecy and minding our own business and how all weapons had to be checked at the desk of which he taps with a baseball bat as he talks.  This is crazy.  But we agree to his terms and carry  on.  He opens a bookcase and we are taken to our table.  Once inside and seated, looking around I see that this is a beautiful hidden gem of a place.  The artwork is unbelievable and the subject matter is Mobs, Mafia, Gangsters and prohibition…It’s a Speakeasy.  The waitstaff is amazing as they carry out the ambience of the place.  The atmosphere aside, the food was melt in your mouth delicious.  

 
I enjoyed a Delmonico Steak, medium rare, fresh green beans pan roasted in garlic, and dirty mashed potatoes.  Greg had a Ribeye, medium, baked potato and fresh green beans also.  Words can not describe how good this meal was. It was culinary perfection.  Accompanied by a bottle of Pinot Grigio, this was the perfect meal.  

To get the best idea of what this was all about go to http://www.the hiddensteakhouse.com or go to Vernon’s Speakeasy on Facebook and check out the video. 

    
    
 

  

Plans change in a blink or with a phone call.  Plans were to go hot air ballooning today, but a call from the company told us that due to weather we would have to change our plans.  Disappointed but undertanding, new plans were developed.  We headed out to the Petroglyph National Monument. This turned into a fun physical adventure, where I climbed three trails up the side of the rocky mountains. 

  
    
  
  
    
After exploring everything we decided next on our agenda was to check out Old Town Albuquerque.  

  
Old Town was fun and informative.  Did you know that the blue/turquoise that is used so much in the southwest is to ward off evil spirits?  And the hanging peppers are a sign of friendliness and hospitality?  We went from shop to shop enjoying all the silver and turquoise, pottery and all types of indian crafts.  

We made our way to the information desk and bought two tickets for the trolley. The trolley took us all through Old Town, Museum Row, Downtown, Nob Hill, the Railyards and through the Bio Park.  Our tour guides pointed out a lot of interesting facts about Albuquerque and showed up many famous points even if we didn’t know they were famous.  Most were to do with the hit show Breaking Bad which is filmed in Albuquerque.  Others were how Hollywood has everyone snowed.  Scenes were shown on a monitor and then he would point out the same exact spot or house where the scene was filmed.  The movies could be set any number of towns, none of which were Albuquerque.  Although Greg and I haven’t seen Breaking Bad (yet) these houses may look familiar to anyone who does.

    
Albuquerque is a really nice city. Clean.  Friendly.  Well laid out.  The landscape and vista are awe inspiring.  Food is amazing.  Hospitality is spot on.  The city is very diversified. Museums, Cultural Centers, Theatres.  An  aquarium and Botanical gardens, a zoo and biopark. The University of New Mexico and Kirtland Air Force Base.  I have been totally impressed with this city.

Day three begins with Night two….and the thunder and lightening storm. The primary plans for the day are to travel to Albuqueque.  Any fun and excitement that can be thrown in, is always good.  I took a couple of minutes to walk around the Big Texan and take a few pictures in the day light.

   
    
    
    
    
 
Once we checked out and loaded up, we head west again.  With the first stop being only 10 miles down the road, it shouldn’t be that hard, right?  Wrong!  The instructions given to us by the receptionist was take exit 60 on I40 onto Arnot Road.  You can’t miss the Cadillac Ranch she said!  We even had a can of spray paint so we were prepared to see the CARS!   So we are trucking right along and the miles are clicking by. I have read the directions several times so there shouldn’t be any problems… At 70 MPH Exit 60 is coming up quick. So what should I do?  I scream at Greg “Exit..Exit”. Taking more than just his lane and part of the exit he barely makes it.  He then proceeds to tell me that I told him Exit 40!!!  No, Dear … Exit 60 Interstate 40!  So now we are off the interstate but we don’t see the Cadillac Ranch anywhere, staying on the bypass road we travel over two miles looking for these CARS.  Finally in despration we turn around and try one more time before giving up. There it is…Cadillac Ranch! 

 
But remember that rain storm last night?  It left the field a total mud bog.  You had to walk about 200 yards to get out to them.  Our shoes were caked with mud and with each step a new layer was added, weighing tons.  We made it as close as we could without totally getting ankle deep.  I got a couple pictures and was able to say that I was there, but we had to forgo the spray painting.  I donated my can to the cause and maybe somebody someday will paint their name on the cadillacs in Cadillac Ranch!

  
I did find my name already painted on the road so what the heck, I took a picture of it instead!

Greg’s nerves were back under control and we headed down the road again. Next stop New Mexico!

We try to get on Route 66 as much as we can, but a lot of times it is just taking an exit, drive through the town and then get back on the interstate until the next exit.  

   
  

The old motels with neon and 50’s deco signs were so neat, even if they were taken through the moon roof during a rain storm!  What I do for some pictures!
 But not without pelting rain, thunder and lightening.  

   
New Mexico State Line

  
We try to stop at each states Information Centers and pick up brochures, coupons and information about the areas we plan to visit. And sure enough the receptionist told us we had to stop at the truck stop up the road.  

We did! 

    
    
    
 In the truck stop is a free car museum, a cool 50’s soda shop and a gift store!  The truck stops, so far, out West are way cooler than the ones back home.

We finally make it to Albuqueque and the rain seems to be letting up some.  We are staying two nights at the Hotel Cascada, An Urban Resort.  I found it by researching the web.  I was looking for hotels/motels that were not part of a chain and carbon copies of every room you have ever stayed in.  I found it with this one. 

    
   
These last two pictures are right out side of our room in the atrium.  Waterfalls and goldfish…how cool?
As you may have noticed we skipped breakfast and lunch.  The last couple of days was just too much heavy eating for both of us.  So we opted for a late lunch – early supper and eat just one meal.  Greg found the resturant this time.  Only stipulation is it can’t be a chain resturant or fast food.  We went to Duran Station.  Another great find.  It’s a remodeled old fire station, hence the name Duran Station and served mexican cusine.  Salsa and chips are complimentary and I  know why….it’s so hot you order a ton a beer to cool your mouth off.  Food was good and service was great, could be that we were the only ones there at this odd hour.

After eating we drove around Albuqueque and made our way out to Kirtland Air Force Base.  Greg had been at Kirtland before and wanted to see if he could remember anything….NOT. And then he wants me to take pictures!  This is a secured base housing nuclear weapons…really, photos, I think he was trying to get me sent to the Brig!!!

Here’s your picture Greg Courington

  

We started the morning at the Stafford Air and Space Museum. I have been to several air and space museums with Greg being retired Air Force but this one was really good. Seems Thomas Stafford from Weatherford, Oklahoma was one of the Apollo and Gemini Astronauts.  I believe he saved everything he ever touched, but it made for a really interesting museum. 

  
Greg really got into all the planes and Air Force and enjoyed telling me all about it!

  
    
  And then I had some fun with the props they had available.   Haven’t you ever wanted to be an astronaut?  For a minute I was!

    
We left Weatherford and proceeded along Route 66 {the best we could}.  

    
Our next stop was the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. 

  
    
    
  
This museum was a lot of fun.  It covered Route 66 through the decades.  You move from room to room – decade to decade, including everything from cars to music.

The receptionist here recommended Jiggs Barbeque as an authentic unique Route 66 roadside stop.  So off we go to find Jiggs.

    We found it and the special of the day was ribs!  Two plates with trimmings and drinks!  We should have shared.  Most of this ended up in a to go box and was given to a homeless man.  I told Greg we needed to have found someone in need with a dog so the dog could have enjoyed the bones.  Maybe he had a dog somewhere.  Totally stuffed we headed west to see what was next. 
Signs along the way told us that the National Route 66 Musuem is just ahead in Elk City, who knew…we thought we had went to the Route 66 Museum.  Seems there is just about one Route 66 museum in every town.  Not to be left out we head to the National Museum.  Wow  it was really nice, not only did it cover Route 66 but the National Transportation Museum, Old Town Museum, Farm and Ranch Museum and a Blacksmith Musuem.  Glad it was this big because we defiantly needed to do some walking off of lunch.  

 
   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
The detail that was taken in setting up this village was awesome.  Come to find out Jiggs of the barbeque place back up the road, well he was a rodeo champion and one of the founders of the National Rodeo Association.  Who Knew!

Back on the road and heading to Texas, Oklahoma in our rearview mirror.

    
Nothing for a far as you can see.  I have officially seen the Prairie now!  Makes you wonder how they (the pioneers in covered wagons) did this.  You know it took them forever to cross these prairies and not knowing how long it would take….this would drive me crazy!  Good thing we had a GPS that would tell us exactly when we would arrive where!  
Amarillo, Texas

We are staying at the Big Texan Motel.  Yes, another iconic Route 66 stop along the way! The Receptionist was very sweet and cute.  She asked if we had a horse that we needed to keep in a stall!  I told her I had a husband, would that work?  She infomed me that only horses could stay in the Horse Hotel.  I told her that was fine because he was a horse’s ass sometimes!  She said you wouldn’t believe how many times women have tried to send their husbands to the horse barn!  Well if the horse barn is comparable to our “barn”  I wouldn’t mind staying there myself.

    
    
  
Rough wood walls, rustic furniture, suede bedspreads, and wooden shutters on the windows.  Every aspect of the place was “westernized”.  I loved all the special touches that were added.
Across the parking lot was the Big Texas Steakhouse.  So after wondering around town a bit we moseyed on over to the kitchen for some vitals! 

•   After all that food and our full day, my partner and I decided to throw in the blanket and call it a day. 

This no schedules and no agendas is pretty nice! I didn’t have to get up before the sun did this morning and I was able to leisurely enjoy my cup of coffee before loading up and leaving.  Loaded for sure…throw out that last post I did regarding packing!  Because I totally took everything!  Usually we are flying or cruising and I am limited on what to take but this trip we are taking my Jeep Grand Cherokee so I totally have lots of room (and I used it all).  I let my OCD kick in and took bunches of bags for everything (I will post pictures later of the ride)!

On the road, we headed west toward Oklahoma.  Our first stop was the Oklahoma information rest stop and then to Sallisaw.  Lunch was at the 18 Wheeler Cafe.

   A eclectic little cafe that served home cooked meals.  We opted for a BLT and a grilled ham and cheese…that was so we would have enough room for dessert!

 Back on the road we headed toward Oklahoma City where we could get on the official Route 66. After several “recalculating” from the ever so annoying GPS we discovered that it is not possible to follow the original Route 66.  Sometimes we found ourslves in sweet little neighbourhoods and other times we were actually on I40.  The books and websites I researched really doesn’t go into details only that this city or that town is on the route.  What we found is you go to each attraction or site that you want to see.  El Reno was our next stop and then on to Weatherford, where we are staying the night.  After checking in we back tracked back up I40 to Hinton, Oklahoma.  The information stop earlier informed us of the Red Rock Canyon-I had ideas of sunset photos and really wanted to try this.

  
  
 Got some nice photos but it definitely wasn’t what I was hoping for.  No sunset either!

After chasing that idea, Greg decided on chasing supper!  Lucille’s came recommend and was an original Route 66 stop, so that made it a must do.

  
My review of the food was so-so, eatable but nothing to write home about.
Keep following us as we head to Amarillo tomorrow!

Schedules, itineraries, maps, list….it doesn’t matter how prepared, how organized, how much you pack or don’t pack, you are going to forget something.   Just knowing that, eases the tension and stress and makes way for an enjoyable trip.  I’m more concerned with my electronics and there connections than I am clothes or toiletries,   My camera, laptop, iPad and phone are my connection to  you.

I have packed for two to three week trips and  I have packed for overnight jaunts, still neither gets easier.  This trip, with all the unknowns, is even harder to pack for.  We will be going from a high of 90’s in the day to around 30’s at night, from desserts to mountains.

As the date nears, luggage needs to be packed. It’s always such a hassle to pack. What to pack, what do I need, what if I need this or don’t need that. If you just throw it all in; then your case weighs a ton and your constantly digging for what to wear. With airline restrictions – a ton of luggage could cost you a “ton”. If you stay state side and are traveling by vehicle (as we are this trip) – well then you have storage space as an issue. We will be traveling in my Jeep Grand Cherokee.  We have a little more space but in reality I can take everything.  So the bottom line is take what you need but need what you take! I am trying a new item this trip: these are packing cubes from http://www.ebags.com
There are smaller versions of these that you can organize by day or event. What I have tried is packing by day, everything from jewelry to flip flops that will be needed for each outfit for that day. I know previously I said double duty items and you still can but it has to go in somewhere so say your going to be wearing the same pair of shoes on Monday and again on Tuesday, pack them in the Monday bag, the first one you would pull out. By organizing and pre-planning you will have a hassle free vacation with no “where is this or that” and you will see that by planning each days outfits that you are least likely to forget something. Remember while you are packing to complete you outfit, do you have all the accessories that you would like with that outfit? belt, jewelry, scarfs or wraps? Have fun packing – dream about the vacation that you have saved and waited so long on.

In two short weeks Route 66 will be hot again.  No schedules, no reservations, no timelines.  Heading West. Stops along the way tentatively  are hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, train ride around Grand Canyon, a little gambling in  Vegas, maybe some white water rafting in Colorado and who knows where or what we will find.  Stay tuned right here and read the adventures of our Greatest Escape!

Greatest Escapes Travel is advancing to new heights. Not only do I still offer any type of travel from hotel and flights to cruises to all-inclusive resorts now if you can’t get away from the office you can follow me as I blog about these journeys. And who knows I may even take you along with me. Join me or follow me as I take you on my travels through this blog.
My intensions are to share with you the ups and downs of traveling. Secrets and hints that I have learned as I go along these new journeys.