I was wondering how many states I have been to and which ones I might need to visit in order to claim all 50. I figured it might be interesting to hear how well-traveled our fellow Bears are - maybe a distraction from all the politics related posts.

Has anyone been to all 50? Has anyone spent at least 24 hours in all 50?

My number is 25, 24 if only being at the airport doesn't count (Illinois).

With a few exceptions I have never been far from the coast to see that wasteland between LA and NYC called "America."

The state I would most like to visit that I haven't is probably Texas. I can't believe I never had any reason to go, but I encountered quite a few Texans in New Mexico and the belt buckles, cowboy hats, boots, and skirts/jackets with fringe are definitely not typical attire around here.

Next would probably be Utah or Montana for the natural beauty.

I have all the "New" states covered but I am lacking in directional states having never visited any of them.

Never spent any time in the Midwest. I hear I'm not missing much outside of Chicago.

My list:

Alaska
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Virginia
Washington

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

I've not been to ND, AL, LA, MS

But a lot of those include drive throughs, some multiple times in multiple directions but also many just a spit out the window. GA is only Atlanta airport. I suppose that's cheating.

I've driven across the US 5 times. I feel like I know this country, except for the south.

How about a countries list.
I feel like mostly everywhere in Europe, but not really.
England
France
Spain
Portugal
Swiss
Italy
Monaco
Greece
Germany
East Germany
Poland
Check
Austria
Hungary
Turkey
Greece
Slovak
Latvia
Moscow
Belgium
Lux
Holland
Denmark
Ireland

I imagine there could be some pretty impressive lists here. I stopped travelling a long time ago when I realized that I was at home here. It was a good explore for a decade.

Also Mex, Cayman, Bahamas, Canada

Gosh, way less than I once thought.
I guess you could say I've cut down on my carbon footprint. Yay for me.

concordtom said:

---

How about a countries list.
I feel like mostly everywhere in Europe, but not really.
England
France
Spain
Portugal
Swiss
Italy
Monaco
Greece
Germany
East Germany
Poland
Check
Austria
Hungary
Turkey
Greece
Slovak
Latvia
Moscow
Belgium
Lux
Holland
Denmark
Ireland

I imagine there could be some pretty impressive lists here. I stopped travelling a long time ago when I realized that I was at home here. It was a good explore for a decade.

Also Mex, Cayman, Bahamas, Canada

Gosh, way less than I once thought.
I guess you could say I've cut down on my carbon footprint. Yay for me.

---

Not many countries as I just don't have that kind of time to spare. Maybe once I finally retire, if that ever happens.

Would love to go to Asia (Japan or India), Africa (South Africa, Northern Africa, or maybe Madgascar), Australia, and South America (Amazon rainforest) before I die. Also Greece and Italy.

Canada
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Mexico
Netherlands
Russia
Sweden

I've been to 27 states, and I think Alaska and Maine are the only ones I'm excited to visit. There are a few other interesting pockets in the Carolinas, but not sure how far out of my way I'm willing to go.

Sadly have not done any real international travel since my kids were born (they're in elementary school now), but hoping to get back to it in a few years when they are a bit older. Pre-kids, I visited 20+ countries.

I've been to at least 43 states. There's several I'm not sure about since as an infant I lived for roughly 6 months or so in both Boston and Norfolk as my Dad was in the Navy. In my mind, I'm thinking I shouldn't count those since I have no memory of them.

Definitely not:
Alaska
South Dakota (I lived for 3 years in North Dakota - I can't believe that I never visited South Dakota)
Michigan ( I may have had a flight stop at Detroit, but I don't think I even got off the plane)

Probably not but possible:
Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire (seems likeliest since it's not far from Boston)
North Carolina (I vaguely recall my mom mentioning stopping at South of the Border in South Carolina which would suggest we drove through North Carolina)

Oklahoma barely counts as I once drove through the panhandle for about an hour going from Kansas to Amarillo.

I'd be interested in seeing all of them though South Dakota might be the least interesting. Internationally, I've been to Mexico and Canada and that's it. Not having traveled to see other parts of the world is one of my regrets in life. I thought I'd do that some day, but my wife has developed too many disabilities to make that possible now as a couple. Perhaps on my own after I retire.

Never been to Naw'lins? You need to check it out….although at night there are some pretty salty looking dudes that hang out in the French Quarter.

New Orleans is definitely worth seeing. I'd like to go back and explore the city more. I didn't get very far outside of the French Quarter. My lasting memory of New Orleans is standing in line outside of Paul Prudhomme's restaurant in a heavy thunderstorm for an hour and getting soaked while watching it ruin women's hairdos and makeup. Then I ordered duck for some reason and I don't like duck very much. It was well prepared though. Oh, I also randomly saw Danny DeVito hop out of a cab and go into a jazz club. If it wasn't Danny DeVito, it was his similarly short rotund twin brother. I might have followed him in but I couldn't find a place to park and I had to pick up my friend shortly anyway.

By the 24 hour rule I've been to 30 states.

I've been to 10 countries but 4 of those are Carribean - ha. I remember going to business school many years ago and all conversations around breaks were about what countries people had travelled to. I spent one spring break locally doing a one week job I found (in the World Trade Center) because I needed the money. I've barely been to Europe. Too poor when I was young, too busy parenting in more recent years.

My list:

States:
California
Arizona
Nevada
New York
New Jersey


Countries:
England
Mexico (if Tijuana counts)

I've been waiting for years to be set up with a thread like this so that I could drop this on youse guys:

I've Been Everywhere

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride"
And so I climbed into the cab, and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land"
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
I've been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
I've been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
I've been to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
I've been to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelburg, Colorado
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado
Larimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
I've been everywhere
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Geoff Mack / Michael J. Faubion

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

---

Mississippi just seems so other worldly and non-touristy and I imagine the off the beaten track food is pretty incredible. Wouldn't want to live there though.

blungld said:

---

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

---

Mississippi just seems so other worldly and non-touristy and I imagine the off the beaten track food is pretty incredible. Wouldn't want to live there though.

---

Interesting. I have family that lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I have been a few times.

It is more touristy than you think unless you head deep into the woods which I don't recommend. It is quite poor in those areas and crime is high. A relative was a home health nurse working for the state and she visited some really scary but also very sad living situations deep in the interior.

Outside of that, though, with the beaches, the casinos, the plantations (popular for touring), and the warm climate it sees its share of tourists. The food isn't really a highlight. Everything is fried and standards are low. If you want food take the drive over to New Orleans. The people there have higher expectations. All the good shrimp that fishermen catch in Mississippi ends up in Louisiana.

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

---

Mississippi just seems so other worldly and non-touristy and I imagine the off the beaten track food is pretty incredible. Wouldn't want to live there though.

---

Interesting. I have family that lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I have been a few times.

It is more touristy than you think unless you head deep into the woods which I don't recommend. It is quite poor in those areas and crime is high. A relative was a home health nurse working for the state and she visited some really scary but also very sad living situations deep in the interior.

Outside of that, though, with the beaches, the casinos, the plantations (popular for touring), and the warm climate it sees its share of tourists. The food isn't really a highlight. Everything is fried and standards are low. If you want food take the drive over to New Orleans. The people there have higher expectations. All the good shrimp that fishermen catch in Mississippi ends up in Louisiana.

---

How do they distinguish the good shrimp from the bad shrimp in the Gulf?

concordtom said:

---

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

---

Mississippi just seems so other worldly and non-touristy and I imagine the off the beaten track food is pretty incredible. Wouldn't want to live there though.

---

Interesting. I have family that lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I have been a few times.

It is more touristy than you think unless you head deep into the woods which I don't recommend. It is quite poor in those areas and crime is high. A relative was a home health nurse working for the state and she visited some really scary but also very sad living situations deep in the interior.

Outside of that, though, with the beaches, the casinos, the plantations (popular for touring), and the warm climate it sees its share of tourists. The food isn't really a highlight. Everything is fried and standards are low. If you want food take the drive over to New Orleans. The people there have higher expectations. All the good shrimp that fishermen catch in Mississippi ends up in Louisiana.

---

How do they distinguish the good shrimp from the bad shrimp in the Gulf?

---

Not sure how but the lower quality shrimp becomes cat food.

bearister said:

---

I've been waiting for years to be set up with a thread like this so that I could drop this on youse guys:

I've Been Everywhere

---

An even 30 for me using the 24-hour rule.

Ironically, that's not counting Mississippi where my friends and I spent around 6-7 hours in Hattiesburg for the Cal-Southern Miss game in 2004 (driving there and back from New Orleans where we were staying).

Without the 24-hour rule, I think it would be 34.

Oh my goodness, why did you have to bring that up? My family had massive Rose Bowl plans! Hotels booked on the best corner of the parade route. Game tickets for 20. It was to be in honor of grandfather marching with the band in '38!

I'll never forgive the Rose Bowl Selection Committee for choosing Texas over a PAC school for that year. What a f$@%ing ripoff!!!! Invaders! Destroyed tradition!!!

Well, I give you stars for going to that game, nonetheless!

All 50, but not all for 24 hours. As far as I'm concerned, feet on the ground count.

For example, I took a charter flight from the west coast to Europe in college and we stopped at Bangor Maine for 4 hours or so. Walked out of the airport and onto local road. One trip to Wyoming where we crossed over to South Dakota several times over a 3-day trip, but did not stay in SD for 24 hours straight as we overnighted in WY. Several cross-country driving trips, so the 24-hour rule would be a lot fewer than 50. (I mean who wants to stay in Nebraska overnight?)

All continents except Antartica which is on my bucket list.

> All continents except Antartica which is on my bucket list.

many decades ago a sierra club hike led us from Alaska's Kenai Tustumena Lake days up hills then cross country onto the 700 sq mile Harding Ice field, in Kenai Fjords NP. good thing for us, the weather on top was two tone boring, blue sky above endless flat white.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tustumena+Lake/@59.9564215,-150.3947311,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x56c6effc15dfadff:0x8b46c31ef000413!8m2!3d60.1968105!4d-150.8891803

All 50
Drive-thrus : Mississippi, Alabama, Delaware
Day visits: Montana, Idaho (I plan to explore both more)
Significant time (at least 6 months cumulative) :
California, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Virgina, Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, Hawaii


Countries :
Japan
Taiwan (graduated from high school)
Philippines
Bahamas
Canada
Mexico (just an hour trip across the El Paso/Juarez bridge)

Hope to visit at some point :
Costa Rica, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania

I've been to all 57.

Once had a colleague who claimed to have "been in" ~25 countries (in all continents). A different colleague said he had been to all 50 states, but some were drive throughs and some of those were detours to cross state lines (to add one more state).

That is so unimpressive. (If I thought it would attract chicks, though, maybe worth it, but I doubt it works that way.)

Better to know 5 different states really well, or five different countries.

States I know pretty well:
New York and West Virginia (mom and dad, respectively, were from there... relatives)

States I know kinda well:
Alaska and Hawaii (job sent me there multiple times... worked with locals and also traveled)

Country I know well: France

Countries I know kinda well: Germany/Austria

49 of 50 have spent a night in. missing only Maine.
Philippines, Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Taiwan, South Korea, France, Italy, Spain.

Yet to visit Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, both Carolinas and WV.

I've traveled in or through Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, USSR (Leningrad), Holland, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, and Spain.

I took this picture at the Dingle Peninsula in July, 1976, when I backpacked through Europe with a buddy after we graduated Cal:


I took this photo when
I returned there in August, 2017, with my wife, son and daughter:

blungld said:

---

dimitrig said:

---

blungld said:

---

Using the 24 hour rule criteria, I have been to 37. Of the ones I haven't visited I would most like to go to Alaska and Mississippi.

---

Mississippi is an odd choice.

Why Mississippi?

---

Mississippi just seems so other worldly and non-touristy and I imagine the off the beaten track food is pretty incredible. Wouldn't want to live there though.

---

I have been to Mississippi. Don't go if you are trying to lose weight.

Strangely, I have been to more countries than states.

CA, OR, WA, Hawaii, Utah, Ariz, New Mexico, Nevada, NY, Florida, MD, VA, Maine, NJ, Tenn., North Caroline, Illinois, Arkansas, Mississippi, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. State I want to see most: Alaska
Edit: forgot Wisconsin and Indiana for football games.

US, Mexico, Canada, Grand Cayman, Fiji, Cook Islands, Belize, DR, US and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, Bermuda, Aruba, Australia, Spain, France, UK, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Greece, Denmark, San Marino, Andorra, Malta, and Luxembourg. Countries I want to see most is long list, but New Zealand and Ireland top the list.

Good thread.

bearister said:

---

I took this picture at the Dingle Peninsula in July, 1976, when I backpacked through Europe with a buddy after we graduated Cal:


I took this photo when
I returned there in August, 2017, with my wife, son and daughter:

---

Nice pictures. It appears that you now have a better camera.

I had a decent Minolta 35mm in 1976……but that first photo is almost 50 years old. There was a heat wave in Europe during the summer of '76 with lots of hazy days. I took a photo of that photo with my iPhone so I could post it. The photo has a glossy finish which also caused glare when I shot the iPhone image of it.

The 2017 photo was taken with my iPhone.

We are planning a return to Ireland this summer. After a couple of days in Dublin to visit wife's sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews, we head down the coast, taking our time, and then 3-4 days in Cork. Sooo much black stuff awaits!

Newport, Rhode Island.

One of my favorite places ever.

~ was staying at the Irish Club near Sloane Sq and skateboarding London '76 during that last incredible heatwave & British Isles drought, felt like a regulation East Bay summer. Love Eire SW Co Cork, Sheeps Head, etc, good times

Co Monoghan, Monoghan Town, pop. ~ 8k to this day,; where are the fans of Guinness Extra Stout

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/oct/20/london

My dad's father's family was run out of Belfast for Republican activity and they settled in Baltimore, County Cork. My dad's mom was from Doneraile, County Cork. My mom's mother was from Cloonacool, County Sligo and her dad from Aclare, County Sligo.

All four of my grandparents immigrated to America just before WWI and ended up in Oakland, and got married and raised their families there.