The end

I think this sign from Zion says it all. End of maintained trail. Scrambling required. Hope you had as much fun as me. Cheers!

Miles driven: 9,444

Quote of the day: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Lao Tzu

Poker conclusion: John didn't make it. Back to healthcare ;)

Based on advice from Mr. Beltz, I am doing to "trip by numbers." Enjoy:

• 0, number of speeding tickets. Boo Yeah!

• 1, alcoholic drink accepted from total stranger

• 2, completely unplanned run-ins with old acquaintances (Becky & Scott)

• $2.27, lowest price for gas, go Wyoming!

• $3.29, highest price for gas, random place in California

• 4, cases of bottled water consumed (hiking and driving)

• 4-2-1, record against Steve Clark in chess

• 5, animals won from claw machines (Santa Cruz, Woburn, Mohegan Sun, Atlantic City and Roanoke Virginia. I gave the one in Roanoke to a cute 5-year old though)

• 6, national parks visited (Big Sur, Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce, Bridger-Teton, Yellowstone)

• 12, number of nights spent couch (or floor) surfing

• 17, quotes of the day. I'm sure you noticed

• 22 casinos gambled in during trip (Venetian, Bally's, Tonopah, Eldorado, Bay 101, Commerce, Bill's Gambling Hall, Caesar's (LV), Bellagio, Fitzgerald's, Four Queens, Binion's Horseshoe, Golden Nugget, Planet Hollywood, Hooters, Palace Station, Mohegan Sun, Tropicana, Caesar's (AC), Borgata, Hard Rock in Biloxi)

• 28, number of friends/family seen by trip end (Sam, Mark, Clay, Alisa, Scott, Lindsay, David, Patti, Kim, Corey, Steve, Chris, Amy, Becky, Kris, Suprit, Kristi, Scott, Judith, Mom, Dad, Tina, Kleo, Joel, Elena, Snoop, Dan, Ann)

• 29, the number of states traversed by trip end

• 36, number of gas stops made. Probably ~300 gallons used in total

• $38, amount I still owe Thanh Dao

• 110, number of unique computers logging onto site. Who knew?

• $125, Starbucks expenses. I can track on my card

• 270, visits from Memorial Hermann computers. I can see you.

• 1,450, most miles driven in single stretch, Jackson WY to Chicago IL

• 9,444, total trip distance in a Hyundai Accent

If you've got other stats you'd like to see, just let me know. Cheers, John