It came to my attention a few years ago that there is an online community of people who "collect counties," attempting to visit as many of them as possible – sometimes all 3142 in the U.S. "I could be one of them," I thought, and proceeded to do many hours of research to determine which ones I had already visited. This was a not insubstantial total, as I'd been on three cross-country road trips with my family when I was younger, in addition to sundry and varied drives between New England, Virginia, Minnesota, and/or Oregon, all which regions I've lived or attended school in.

My tally now stands at 1752 counties that I'm sure I've visited, or 55.7% of the U.S.'s total. I am now at the point where I intentionally take spur side trips to spend two minutes tagging the corners of very remote counties that I doubt I'll ever actually pass through on my way to something (Owyhee in Idaho or Jewell in Kansas being examples). They all count. Airports I flew to as a passenger do not (for me). Trains, cars, and foot travel do. My map at mob-rule.com differentiates between mode of travel when I most recently visited each county. I am proud to say that I have literally only walked through some counties (the dark green ones on the map). 

My interest in long drives is definitely hereditary, as I have a grandfather whose county tally would have numbered, conservatively, in the bajillions if he had bothered to keep track over his quite remarkable life. He never flew anywhere, period – while I do – and his method of moving or helping family move around the country was to make as many runs as needed with possessions piled into the back of his pickup truck. I fully intend to continue that legacy.