I think the one thing you really need to plan for is "the unplanned". What do I mean? Well, don't become so ridged in your schedule and travel plans that you're completely rattled or disheveled if something happens to change or alter your plans. That could be anything from a mechanical failure, to a ... "Hey! Why don't we go (there) instead of (there)! But we can't because we have plans to go (there) and want to stay stick with our plans!" ... um ... be flexible. Nothing is written in stone. Its your trip, make it meaning for you.
I think the next thing is, take your time and smell the roses, or the baked bread, or the fried chicken! In other words, if and when you see something interesting or unplanned along your route, take some time and go ahead and stop. It's these momentary and instantaneous decisions that REALLY make the trip.
We were traveling to Florida for Christmas week (2015). We were somewhere between Indiana and Florida and we passed a road side sign that advertised a foot high pie! I made a comment to my wife. About 5 miles up the road, I pulled in. She wasn't expecting this. Turned out to be a delight, and a really GREAT pie! We talked about that stop for days afterwards. And every now and then, my wife makes a pun, it's always something about "a foot high"... Price less moment that would have been missed if we would have simply stayed on schedule and pushed onward instead of stopping (to eat the pie!)
So, take each day on your trip as that is is the only day of the trip, and get the most out of each and every moment. You'll have a wonderful time! And lots of experiences to share with the grandkids some day.
