3000 miles in 3 weeks, Route 66 and all that

[Sue]

Well here goes with my pre-trippie of what is a big step into the unknown for me, for a few reasons...

A bit of background:
Divorced in 2007 (can you believe it was that long ago!) - met J (Julian) in January 2009 - also divorced but with 3 daughters, all of whom live with him. A huge difference to childless me! They had done part of Route 66 on a previous family holiday and had decided to go back and do the whole thing. I got invited along and so here we go...
Unusually for teenage and older girls - they love rock and blues music, I am to be subjected to Route 66 and more for 3 weeks - a bit of a shock to a soul/R&B/motown fan

So here is the crowd:

Me - aged 49
Julian -very nearly 49 (in 3 weeks!)
Rachel - 21
Phil (Rachel's boyfriend) - 23
Sally -18
Charli (Charlotte) - sweet 16

We leave on Saturday and using J's much earned airmiles with Star Alliance and flying Swiss Air - we have to go via Zurich but as we are all going Business Class for less than £500 return, who's complaining?
(the girls actually don't know this bit, think we are flying economy, so don't tell them and I hope that they don't read this site!)

To Chicago - 2 nights there, then pick up our Chrysler Grand Voyager - a true 7 seater with under seat and rear storage and set off.
We are having to travel light due to limited vehicle space but it's no problem to a former backpacker like me - 'capsule' wardrobes are fine by me
We have little knowledge of what is between Chicago and Albuquerque and will take 7 days to do the first 1300 miles...
There are places like St Louis, Tulsa and Amarillo - yes we have the songs on our iPod playlists We plan to take our time and stop when and where we feel like it.

Hotels only booked at Chicago, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Vegas and Venice Beach - we plan to use Motel 6's mainly at $40 per night and hope to find "real" American towns and diners along the way, not the big chain shops/restaurants etc.

We are detouring to Monument Valley (Sally insists that we rejoin Route 66 where we left though, so that is a 700 mile detour!), Death Valley, Vegas, Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam.
Staying at the Stratosphere in Vegas, they stayed there before and want to do the coasters up top - it only cost £29 per night as well when we booked it!

Ending up at the Cadillac Hotel, Venice Beach - apparently an art deco hotel, favoured by Charlie Chaplin, recently refurbed.

Return home Sunday 11th April

It makes a change for me to being going along not having done any planning - I have no expectations, as I am not sure this is something I would ever have thought about doing myself.
After over a year with J and meeting his family regularly, I am happy that we are all comfortable together enough to get along. Not sure that I'll get used to the noise in the car though

So - see you all soon and hopefully will have fab stories and photos to share

[Heather1957]

I'm looking forward to reading this Sue.

Keep the I-pod fully charged as it sounds as if you will be needing it.

[Guest]

Wow sounds a fab trip Sue. I'm looking forward to the trippie as I love to hear all about America not just Florida. Hope you have a blast!

[Irishrover]

Love it Love it Love it,
cant wait to hear your stories...
Hope it all goes well!

Bren xxx

[Guest]

can't wait to hear more about your adventure

[alexisemma31]

Can't wait to read your trippie Sue. Have a wonderful time!

[Guest]

That sounds like an adventure Sue, can't wait to read more and see if you found the real America.

[voddygirl]

Happy holidays Sue ..sounds fab

[JudyC]

Sounds like a great trip, have a fab time

[riverdancefan]

OMG Sue... what a different experience !
cannot wait to hear all about it...sounds fab actually and something I would love to do x