Bud, flying VFR cross countries using your GPS to get a hamburger is going to get you little to no real experience. Don't get me wrong, I am a proponent that hours are a great way to gauge experience, but VFR x-countries are not high up on the list of "quality time", IMO.

I know that you prefer the 61 experience, but any FBO with a "141" certificate is pretty much the same thing. Yeah, you'll kinda follow a syllabus, but really, if you get a good instructor, why would you spend the extra 50 ish hours of money and time to get your COMM? Honestly, I think that doing the COMM 61 is a dumb route. How much "quality" time are you getting acting as safety pilot or running to get a hamburger? Now how much MONEY are you spending to build that time? To me, its not a wise use of $$$$.

So, that long explanation was just to say...if you've got the money to continue on with your IR, do it. There's no reason to take a break. Plus if you really really wanna go the 61 route for the IR and COMM, build your time after your IR. At least then you'll be able to get some actual out of your $$$$ (if you're smart and bring an instructor along for safety).