Sunday, August 17, 2008

And we're back!

...in Chicago!

We got up early, had a bite to eat in Madison, WI (a lovely Midwestern imitation of Ithaca), and then barreled through the last leg of the trip.

As our glorious (and automotive-failure-free) trip comes to a close, we offer you the following facts, figures, and opinions (Simmie and Elise will be following up with their own highs and lows soon).

Roadtrip 2008!
Fuel
-Total distance: 4,605.2 miles
-Fuel efficiency: 43.1 mpg

On the Road
-States visited: 10 (Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, & Wisconsin)
-Homework assignments completed: 1
-National parks/monuments visited: 8
-Blights on the National Landscape/Human Spirit visited: 2 (The Mall of America and Casa Bonita)
-McDonalds' bathrooms frequented: 12*
-Number of times we listened to the song by "Panic at the Disco": 12*
-Number of times we listened to the Mamma Mia soundtrack: 4
-Number of friendship bracelets made: 3 (Because we were in the car for 40 hours. And we're 12.)



Food
-Total trail mix consumed: 4lbs
-Total trail mix consumed by Melissa: 3.75 lbs*
-Total Wheat Thins consumed: 32 oz
-Lifesavers consumed: 98*

Miscellaneous
-Number of magicians pitied: 1 (1 very, very sad young man at Casa Bonita)

The Best and the Worst (according to Melissa)
-Best State: Colorado!!! I am buying a bike, strapping it to a Subaru, and never turning back!
-Worst State: Wyoming. It stinks.
-Best Attraction: Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon (just wait until you hear what Simmie has to say!)
-Most Disappointing Attraction: The Mall of America (it has nothing on King of Prussia. Plus, there were no bald eagles in cages.)
-Highest Ratio of "how good it turned out to be" as compared to how horrible you thought it would be": Camping! (that is, once I figured out that we probably would not be eaten by an elk in the night)
-Best Rest Stop: The McDonalds in Denver--it had a fireplace in the middle!
-Worst Rest Stop: The scary Dairy Queen in Nebraska. Who ever said that toilets needed to be functional?

Well, I guess that's all. Thanks so much for reading our blog!

*These figures are approximations

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Aw, some of Wyoming is pretty nice, Melissa! Next road trip you have to hit the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, which is charming if you enjoy historical re-enactments in the center of town.

Unknown said...

Fantastic! Thanks, guys, for blogging on behalf of the vicarious set. Next year: Road Trip Across Asia!

beth said...

Mamma Mia!!!!

Was there a giant shoe on top of your car? Drag shows at seedy taverns? Kangaroos?