"We've been here" maps??

porscheracer · 09-08-2008, 09:19 AM

OK, time for a little light entertainment. Sometime we get too serious.

I know about the little maps that show where you've been, and where to get them, etc.

The question is: what is the accepted requirement for you to "fill in" a state? I know that in my own mind, for me to have "been in" a state, I have to have eaten there. (Silly, I know). Just driving through (like my experience with Montana) doesn't count.

I would assume that one should have actually spent one night in that state in the RV. Is that pretty much the rule of thumb?? And, I'd assume the map is proprietary to both the motorhome and the current owner . . . correct?? (We happen to have 2 motorhomes - but I'd assume crossovers would be "cheating".)

porscheracer · 09-08-2008, 09:19 AM

OK, time for a little light entertainment. Sometime we get too serious.

I know about the little maps that show where you've been, and where to get them, etc.

The question is: what is the accepted requirement for you to "fill in" a state? I know that in my own mind, for me to have "been in" a state, I have to have eaten there. (Silly, I know). Just driving through (like my experience with Montana) doesn't count.

I would assume that one should have actually spent one night in that state in the RV. Is that pretty much the rule of thumb?? And, I'd assume the map is proprietary to both the motorhome and the current owner . . . correct?? (We happen to have 2 motorhomes - but I'd assume crossovers would be "cheating".)

Route 66 · 09-08-2008, 09:40 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">what is the accepted requirement for you to "fill in" a state? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are no rules.

That's one of the best things about this lifestyle, you can have it your way!

My rule is, if I have had my MH in the state, I fill it in.

FrankO · 09-08-2008, 10:08 AM

Rule for me is to fill in the state if I/we camped there with current and past MH. Works for me but may not work for others which is fine.
Frank O.

GaryKD · 09-08-2008, 10:10 AM

Hi Norm,
Rules, we got some stinking rules. One needs to have rules with children or endless discussions erupt. So here it goes with our rules.

1. To put a state on the map, one needs to put one's feet on the ground in that state.
2. To put a star on the map, one needs to see something in that state, unique to that state.

A few states, this means stopping at the welcome center rest area; getting out of the coach, finding some grass or dirt and putting our feet on the ground (pavement or does not count).

When we visit the historical attractions (we don't take the g-kids to amusement parks,,,,,except DW of course) we put a star on the map. This signifies we did something unique to that state at that location. I am amazed that after 3 years and about 1/2 the states visited, the g-kids can name what we did for each star. Now why can't they seem to remember their homework or spelling words?

We have three maps in the coach. One for the wife and me. One for 2 g-kids (brother/sister) and one for the 3rd g-child.

UFO Pilot · 09-08-2008, 10:11 AM

I'm with Dirk. If the MH is in the State I fill it in.

Frankie · 09-08-2008, 10:24 AM

One of my favorite topics to razz some of our friends we camp with.Personally,its all up to you.Us, we need to spend the night.Thats us ,though.I dont disagree with anyones method. We have a friend who was showering(another can of worms)while his wife drove through a mid-west state.He slapped the stcker on as soon as they stopped for gas.

Fiver Get You Ten · 09-08-2008, 12:04 PM

What? "Fly-overs" don't count?

SeeTheUSA · 09-08-2008, 12:31 PM

We don't have one of those state maps things - but I like them. We do keep track of where we've been and count states like this:

If we drive (MoHo or Toad) or even set foot in a state as a result of a trip with our motor home, we count that state as "visited."

For example, we recently took a trip to the Virginia Eastern Shore, and although the MoHo stayed at the park in Virginia, we used our toad to visit Maryland and Delaware. So MD and DE now count on our list. Earlier this year we walked across the bridge into Mexico, so we count it as visited, too.

Anyway, that's how we do it.

blacktie.shooter · 09-08-2008, 12:49 PM

I call upon the "No Potluck" RV . . . (club? Group? What the hey, who needs a formal name for it?) to invoke their view (can't say "rules"): NO: Officers, rules, group photos, scheduled rallies, unscheduled rallies . . . or imposition of my methodology on filling in the states map (I don't have one; don't care; I just go.) If you want to wave at Washington from the Oregon side of the Columbia, then slap on both states, works for me.

BTW, the "No Potluck" crowd does have one custom - if they run into one another anywhere, they'll get together at toddy time . . . if they feel like it, of course.

porscheracer · 09-08-2008, 12:57 PM

Ken / Carolee - I like your club. Where do I join . . . errrr . . . recognize another member??

Warren / Debbie -
Ah, so I can mark off Mexico. Walked across at Nuevo Progreso while we were in Alamo.

Dirk, etal. - Works for me. Woohoo!!

LindaH · 09-08-2008, 01:05 PM

Our "rule" for filling in the map is we have to have stayed there at least overnight in an RV (which means that one of the states we've actually LIVED in hasn't been filled in yet).

GraciesMom · 09-08-2008, 03:41 PM

So if I drive through a teeny tiny corner of a state and don't stop, it counts? No!!!! I've only listed states that I've stayed in, did sightseeing of, etc.

porscheracer · 09-08-2008, 05:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GraciesMom:
So if I drive through a teeny tiny corner of a state and don't stop, it counts? No!!!! I've only listed states that I've stayed in, did sightseeing of, etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's my experience with Montana - and why I don't count it.

OK - you win. Only if we've spent the night.

Fakrwee · 09-09-2008, 04:37 PM

I use mine to motivate me, so I only fill in states that I've actually done sightseeing in.

That way when I look at the map the empty spots talk to me. "Get your butt over here" and before you know it I'm on my way.

Tom

JC2 · 09-09-2008, 04:44 PM

We count those states only when we actually camp
there.

lthrnk · 09-09-2008, 05:24 PM

If the jacks go down and I get to sleep there, it counts.

Nathan Focht · 09-09-2008, 06:01 PM

As new fulltimers (just hit our one year anniversary), we have yet to hit every state but I guess I look at it this way. If we are legally in a state, we place a sticker.

But, I keep a road atlas where I mark every route we have taken. On this map I only mark "true campgrounds" as stops. Once we have hit every state, I am sure we will buy a second map and come up with a new and more restrictive set of rules.

jhanan · 09-09-2008, 08:24 PM

New MH? then New MAP! (e.g. start over)

GaryKD · 09-10-2008, 04:11 AM

Hi jhanan,
For me, the answer is no. The map is a tail of people travels. It may or may not apply to the current coach. I did start a new map, for the wife and me, when we filled in the previouse map and the stars were getting crowded. Hind sight says I should have started it earlier, right after we completed the lower 48 states. Still haven't gotten to Alaska. For those wanting to know how we "drove to Hawaii"; we went, didn't drive and counted it due to the definition of the map being people places.