The house will hold the five of us for $214.79 a night for 7 nights. This is a $1,500 charge for rent alone. With added fees for tax, service, renting, and housekeeping, our total housing budget for the whole trip will be $1,947.

The distance between Columbia and Dauphin Island is approximately 678 miles as well as about 51 miles to accommodate driving on the island. This bring us to a total of 1407 miles (788 to and from) + 51. If gas prices averages at 3.30 x 1407 miles / 25 mpg (suv with good gas mileage) = $186. The total for an oil change scheduled after our arrival will be approximately $65. This brings the total of our transportation costs = $251.00

• Fort Gaines: Self-guided tour of the site of the Battle of Mobile Bay. $8/person
• Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium: Public aquarium showcasing the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats. $11/person
• Battleship USS Alabama: Self-guided tour of the World War II battleship USS Alabama, and the submarine USS Drum. There are also various planes and tanks available to see. $15/person
• Mobile Duck Boat Tour: Amphibious tour vehicles viewing Mobile and its surroundings, as well as its hisory. $29/person
• Total activities budget: $315

The breakfast budget per person is $7 a day and $49 for the week. The lunch budget per person is $8 a day and $56 for the week. The dinner budget per person is $10 a day and $70 for the week. The total of the week per person is $168. Total Food Budget: $875

• Leave St. Louis at around 5am
• Stop to eat in Meridian, MS at around noon
• Stop at the WalMart in Mobile and get food for the week
• Arrive at our house, and follow check-in procedure. This will allow us to be in the house at approximately 6-7pm.
• Spend the evening relaxing.

• Leave at around 9am, arrive at USS Alabama at around 9:45 - 10am.
• Tour the Battleship USS Alabama and Submarine USS Drum
• Eat lunch at Panini Pete's
• Return to the house at around 4pm
• Spend evening on the beach

• Head to Fort Gaines at around 9am. Arrive at 9:15am
• Tour Fort Gaines
• Return to house at around 2, eat late lunch
• Spend rest of day on the beach

• Leave for Estuarium at around 10am, arrive at around 10:15am
• Tour Estuarium
• Return to house at around 3-4pm
• Spend evening on beach

• Leave for Duck Tour at around 8am. Arrive at approximately 9.
• Duck Tour of Mobile, Alabama
• Return to house at around 4pm

• Spend day at the beach

• Check out and leave at 6am
• Stop for lunch in Jackson, TN at around 12:40pm
• Arrive back in St. Louis

Our designated budget was $3400. 1947 + 251 + 315 + 875 = 3388. Considering how many things were rounded up in anticipation of issues or emergencies (anticipating gas prices to be $3.30 a gallon, potential oil changes, anticipating expensive meals), saying that we are $12 under budget is likely unrealistic. We are more likely 50-100 dollars under budget.