Drive-By Tourism Isn’t the Same as Truly Visiting

I hate to burst staff writer Kristina Sauerwein’s bubble, but simply driving through a state does not constitute actually visiting it (“Hitting 30--by Way of All 50,” Aug. 29).

I have driven cross-country on three occasions, taking various routes and going through different states, yet I would never claim to have actually been to all of them. If that’s her criterion, then what she has accomplished really isn’t all that impressive.

I managed to drive from one coast to another with three friends in less than three days by driving nonstop, going through about 12 states. And it took her 21 years to go to 50?

While she may have supposedly achieved her 50th state on her 30th birthday, it was technically the last day of her 30th year, not the first day.

Happy traveling.

CHICO BONDS

Los Angeles