Final Post
August 2, 2008
Coast to Coast to Coast USA Alger Tour of America 2008
Hello Everyone,
We've been home now for more than a week and are just now settling in again. Russell and I have been driving down to San Jose for goalie camp all week and we will all take Grace to music camp early tomorrow morning. I've tried to let my emotions settle before making this last blog entry. The trip was fantastic but it has been good hanging out at home. Enough of that. Let's wrap things up.
First, a few numbers related to the trip.
We covered about 9050 miles in 35 days while visiting 35 states (Russell says only 34 states as the District of Columbia is not a true state, according to him). I like my tabulation better.
We burned about 950.9 gallons of gas. If you do the math, The Big Rig got pretty close to 10 ( a
little less) miles to the gallon of gas. Not so bad.
The most we paid for gas was $4.85 per gallon in Lee Vining, CA on the western entrance of Yosemite. The least we paid for gas was 3.89 per gallon in Vining, MN and Hot Springs Village, AR. Maybe The Big Foot should raise their prices.
The following fotos may not be the best foto-wise from the trip but they wrap things up properly.
The kids and I are so glad that Aunt Diane joined us on the 1st leg of the trip. Aunt Diane is so cool and we love her so much. Here she is shielding her eyes from the wicked Yellowstone sun high above the Lower Falls. You are so great Aunt Diane! Off to Alaska next year. Maybe Matthew can join us then.
Spike is only 9 months old and he's been to 34 states. Pretty good for a puppy!
Here's a shot of Russell and Grace rooting around in a recently downed tree. This particular tree was the last one ever planted by Thom. Jefferson (or one of his slaves) at Monticello. It was a huge tulip tree knocked over by a storm earlier this year. Darned Founding Fathers!
After Atlanta, we decided to turn the RV into The Obama-Mobile. 200+ positive responses. 3 or 4 negative responses. Looks like a landslide in November. 
Here are Grace and Russell at the very spot where the Union was saved. Fort Donelson in TN. They may not not know it yet but this IS the place where US Grant stopped the Confederate tide of the Civil War. The exact spot. The politics continue ...
Buck Alger high above The Grand Canyon.
JohnManHorton wading out to take the waters in Yosemite. Nice shorts!
Grace and Russell rounding out the Big 3. Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and Yosemite! All in one summer!
On our way home. Our favorite slogan on the trip was "Hey George, where's Dick?"
Our window where we listed the states we had visited. In our driveway in Moraga, CA. Count 'em ... 34 states. 
The trip was awesome. Thanks to Aunt Diane, Campolindo Heather, and Thetford John for joining us. We also thank Clio Maggie and Get-Out-Of-Town-Quick Alice for their contributions. We were also glad to see all of our people. We love you all but next year, you come see us, OK?The Recent Road Trippers
Grace, Russell, & John Alger
