Adventures with Cindy

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.