Welcome to Iowa, the Tall Corn StateSeptember 18th, 2007 @ 5:01 am
The guys in my team at work travel. They travel a lot. Every other week two groups of two guys board a plane and head to one of the same midwestern states they’ve been a dozen other times. They do a lot of driving while on these little trips, which means they get to see a lot of these same midwestern states. Over and over again. Nothing against places like Nebraska and Iowa, but I hear there isn’t too much to see there time and time again.
In an effort to spice their travels up a bit the guys have started little games with each other. They keep spreadsheets to see how many frequent fryer miles they can amass and where they could go with all of their miles (which, of course, they never do). They see who can stay in the nicest Hampton Inn. They see who can eat the most unusual food item. They try to visit wacky places and take picture proof to share with the rest of the team. Or they visit places that most of us may never get a chance to see in our lifetime.
(The Oklahoma City Memorial, picture taken last week by my coworker.)
The last few years they’ve taken it up a notch. Instead of just trying to get over 200,000 frequent flier miles they decided to see who could visit the most states. And since that wasn’t enough, they’ve also taken to visiting each state’s capital and taking pictures in the capital’s rotunda. Each team will come back from a trip and force ask me to look at their pictures of the capital and choose which one I think is the best for the yearly powerpoint presentation. (Oh, you think I’m kidding. But I am not.)
These guys are very specific on what it takes to check a state off the list. You can’t check it of if you’ve only visited it via an airport. There is even a gray area if you’ve only driven through the state. Even if you’ve stopped to get gas and have lunch, they might not let you count it. It just depends.
They take this very seriously.
Since I don’t travel to the extent that they do, I’m a little more lax on my interpretation on the rules.
Before The King and I got together I had only been in a plane two times. Once when I was too young to remember and once when my first husband and I went to Disneyland. When my ex and I went to Disneyland, we had to change planes in San Francisco. If anyone ever asked me if I had been to San Francisco, I totally told them I had been. I mean, technically I had. (I’ve since been on vacation twice to San Fransisco, so there is no more gray area on San Francisco.)
I’m always giving my coworkers a hard time and telling them it totally counts if you’ve only been to the airport in a state. I mean, technically you’ve been there. I truly believe that. Of course they get all defensive and tell me how lame I’m being and that no, you can’t count it. Loser.
The King knows all about this little game my coworkers play. While on our latest vacation, when we had some down time, we tried to decide how many states we had visited in our lives.
And that’s when we had to make a final call on whether or not we would let these gray areas into our lists. Even though The King has never really been to Pennsylvania, he’s had a layover there. Will he count it? What about the time my family drove to Yellowstone National Park? We drove through a number of states to get there, but didn’t actually stop in any of them.
And what about train rides?
On our train ride from Washington D.C. to New York City last week we went through four states (and one Federal District). While we have visited some of those states before, Delaware was a new one. So do we count it?
I brought this up with my coworkers today. They just laughed and said that train rides are just like airport visit; they don’t count!
I begged to differ stating that at least on the train we could see the state’s landscape, the people outside the window, and cars driving on the street. It was much more personal then being in an airport. While my feet weren’t actually touching the state, I was there. I was a part of it.
I thought surely they would see my side of things.
Alas, they did not and I was not allowed to check it off my list of states visited.
So tell me, do you think I should get to count a state that I only traveled through via a train? And if not, how can I convince my coworkers that I’m still cooler then they are?
Work · Me · Vacation
Steph
said,
September 18, 2007 at 6:48 am
I think it counts. I had a layover in Spain once for 8 hours, but I bought something there, so I can say “Hey look what I bought in Spain.” It even has a matador on it to prove its Spanish roots. I also inhaled so much smoke during the 8 hours that I was there that I feel that it took years off my life. Totally counts. Your train ride counts. Don’t let them cheat you out of it.
Operation Pink Herring
said,
September 18, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Airports do not count! Train/driving through doesn’t count either! But you are still cooler than they are.
Carhenge is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
Amy W
said,
September 18, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Airports, train rides, everything like that TOTALLY counts.
Anna
said,
September 18, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I used to count states that I had flown over. I was that hard up to say I’d been somewhere. Therefore, I totally agree that train rides and airports count.
Abbie
said,
September 18, 2007 at 1:56 pm
That would mean I have been thru half the continents of Africa and Europe. Riding or driving thru in a train or car counts as much as an airplane flying over places to get to its destination. It does not count.
Airports: I once spent 12 hours in a lay over at Amsterdam, and one time at Heathrow…I toured the airport, it was nice, and I tell people that I’ve been to England and Amsterdam but conveniently leave out the airport part….because IT TOTALLY DOESN’T COUNT EITHER. lol
alison
said,
September 18, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I’m sorry to say I don’t think airports or drive through’s count. Your coworkers game sounds like one of those things that takes up way too much work time.
Carrisa
said,
September 18, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Yeah I’m sorry. I think you can say you’ve been through a state, but you can’t really say you’ve visited a state.
It doesn’t count as per the rules of your co-workers. But I’m still impressed by it. I’ve never been on a train.
-R-
said,
September 18, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Driving or taking the train through a state counts. Landing the airport does not.
So did the coworkers enjoy Carhenge? I have never seen it but secretly kind of want to.
Frema
said,
September 18, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Hmmm. I don’t know that I would count it, either. I mean, when you say you’ve been to a state, that’s implying you’ve had some sort of experience there. Sitting in an airport isn’t really an experience!
Laurel
said,
September 18, 2007 at 3:40 pm
These guys sure are uptight about their rules!! I say, you can totally count Delaware. Why not?
Nic
said,
September 18, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Driving through counts more than a layover, but just barely. And I don’t even know then that it really counts…
If I counted layovers and drive/train-thrus, in the past year I have been to: CA (San Fran, Berkeley, Oakland & Half Moon Bay), Nebraska, Minnesota, Tennessee, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts (Amherst and Boston), Maryland, DC, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Without the layovers and drive-thrus: CA (Berkeley, HMB, Oakland), Nebraska, Ohio (technically it was a layover but I had to spend the night so it counts), Massachusetts, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania.
Rachel
said,
September 18, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Either way, you are totally cooler than they are, but, I have to say that airports and train rides (without stops) do not count.
Keri
said,
September 18, 2007 at 4:36 pm
My husband totally tries to count airports, but now that I think about it, probably shouldnt - especially if you never stepped outside to really see anything. Which then means trains & driving dont count.
It seems like a fun game, but whoa they are into it w/their rules. Either way, you are a ton cooler than them. esp since you get to judge!
HollowSquirrel
said,
September 18, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Sorry, Isabel, train rides and airports don’t count. Now, as to whether or not you’re cooler than them, of course, my dear…that’s not even negotiatiable.
Marriage-101
said,
September 18, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Our rule of thumb is: If you’ve eaten a meal there, then you’ve been there. I had to go to Calif. once for work - for a DAY! - I didn’t even get to stay the night. So therefore, I don’t count it. I think I maybe ate a meal at the airport, but I don’t count airport meals either.
Jackie
said,
September 18, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Tough one - I can see both sides. But, I don’t think airports count. Airports are pretty much the same anywhere. You don’t get a feel or a flavor for the place by being in some grey terminal.
As for driving through or “training” through, if you stop and visit something significant (not a McDonald’s or gas station), I think it can count.
As for being cooler than your coworkers, the fact that they take this seriously and have concrete rules and shit makes them totally not cool.
You rock, Isabel!
Not the Queen
said,
September 18, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Aren’t airports technically international zones? If so, they definitely don’t count towards visiting a state.
I think the fact that you took a train anywhere makes you way cooler than your coworkers.
If they can’t see that, so what? You know you’re cool, we know you’re cool; does anything else really matter?
Emily
said,
September 18, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I hate to tell ya….but I don’t think airports, train rides, or drive thrus count. Not even if you stop at a gas station. If you go sight seeing, shopping, or spend the night, yes. But you’re still cooler.
Midwest Texan
said,
September 18, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I think driving and riding a train counts, but being in the airport does not. The whole point is to experience something about the state and I think that what you see of the state while driving/train riding counts as an experience, but airports are so sterile and most lack any kind of local influence that it doesn’t really give you a sense of the state/area you are visiting.
and your co-workers sound like they don’t like to work!
Steph
said,
September 18, 2007 at 8:57 pm
My parents goal for my sister and I has been to visit all 50 states. As of now, I have visited 49, and Hawaii is next summer!!!! Our unofficial rules are that you have to do something in the state, preferably a national park, or two, or four, etc.
Beth
said,
September 18, 2007 at 9:39 pm
So… wait. Where were you all the time you were in Delaware if you weren’t in Delaware?
Isabel: BethFish is smart and brings up a very good point. Where was I if I wasn’t in Delaware? This comment makes the most sense to me. And therefore, Delaware is going on list of places I’ve been to!
Laura
said,
September 18, 2007 at 11:31 pm
This is so funny to me! I have always debated this with myself. I decided not to count airports, because you don’t really see the state. But I do count places I’ve driven through, because you get to see the state, the landscape. I mean, what about back in the days of covered wagons when there wasn’t much to see but the land? People would still count it then, wouldn’t they? However, I do sometimes feel that if you can say you’ve been to a state, you should have a memory of that state, an experience you can talk about. Which is when driving through doesn’t really cut it. But who cares! I’m still counting it!
Laura
said,
September 18, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Oh and by the way, I’m from Nebraska, but unless you’re in Omaha, maybe Lincoln, and of course my hometown Fremont, I have to agree, there’s not a whole lot to do. Still love it there, though.
Durga
said,
September 19, 2007 at 12:55 am
I think it counts. Coz the question is ‘how many states have u been to?’
and well driving through, training through, stopping at the airport counts.
The lawyer in me says that ur co-workers should be more specific in their question. ‘How many states have u spent over 24hours in?” or somethin….
anyway, u guys caught the train frm DC to NY? how long is that? How did Babboo go with that? Would u recommend doing long train rides with a baby?
Amanda
said,
September 19, 2007 at 1:30 am
I count any visit- whether layover or driving though. When I was younger my goal was to visit all 50 states before I was twenty, so my dad would go out of his way to drive through them. Like once we went to Chicago and he kept going,so I could cross Wisconsin off my list. It totally counts! Just the opinion of someone that has based her entire life of checking states off and countries for that matter by this rule!
Lizzy
said,
September 19, 2007 at 1:52 am
You didn’t VISIT Deleware, but you were THERE.
It totally counts, albeit on what some would call a technicality. But you were there. Absolutely.
Closetmom
said,
September 19, 2007 at 2:43 am
As a native Nebraskan, I love to see Carhenge getting some publicity. It’s a crazy, crazy thing. I sort of count places I’ve only been in transportation vehicles. I always qualify them though, such as “I’ve been there once, in an airport.” And honestly, for some locales, that’s enough for me.
janet
said,
September 19, 2007 at 2:54 am
putting in a vote here for train counts, airport doesn’t. and DC double counts cause it’s not even a STATE!
Christar
said,
September 19, 2007 at 10:56 pm
It totally counts. When someone asks, “Have you been to Wal~Mart”, if you’ve stepped inside, or even made it to the parking lot, you’re on Wal~Mart property. The same goes for cities and states. If you stepped foot, or drove, or whatever in a state/city, you have BEEN there. Have you explored it and gone sight~seeing? No, but you have indeed been there.
I have always counted the places I’ve gone, even if it was just a drive through to get somewhere else, or when we stopped in Dallas on our way to Disney World. It still counts!
meritt
said,
September 20, 2007 at 2:17 am
I count the airport layovers… because that is the only way I can count Frankfort, Germany!!! (I bought t-shirts and chocolates there! I’ve been there!)
But then I feel guilty of course because I know darn well airport layovers don’t really count.
PS: What I really wanted to say? DUDE! I CURRENTLY LIVE IN IOWA. So if you do stop here - call me. We’ll do coffee.
hola, isabel » Blog Archive » Is Tupac dead?
said,
December 27, 2007 at 4:02 pm
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