Six cubes, each an inch on an edge, are fastened together, as shown. Find the total surface area in square inches. Include the top, bottom, and sides.
[asy] /* AMC8 2002 #22 Problem */ draw((0,0)--(0,1)--(1,1)--(1,0)--cycle); draw((0,1)--(0.5,1.5)--(1.5,1.5)--(1,1)); draw((1,0)--(1.5,0.5)--(1.5,1.5)); draw((0.5,1.5)--(1,2)--(1.5,2)); draw((1.5,1.5)--(1.5,3.5)--(2,4)--(3,4)--(2.5,3.5)--(2.5,0.5)--(1.5,.5)); draw((1.5,3.5)--(2.5,3.5)); draw((1.5,1.5)--(3.5,1.5)--(3.5,2.5)--(1.5,2.5)); draw((3,4)--(3,3)--(2.5,2.5)); draw((3,3)--(4,3)--(4,2)--(3.5,1.5)); draw((4,3)--(3.5,2.5)); draw((2.5,.5)--(3,1)--(3,1.5));[/asy]
$\textbf{(A)}\ 18\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 24\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 26\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 30\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 36$
Count the number of sides that are not exposed, where a cube is connected to another cube and subtract it from the total number of faces. There are $5$ places with two adjacent cubes, covering $10$ sides, and $(6)(6)=36$ faces. The exposed surface area is $36-10 = \boxed{\text{(C)}\ 26}$.