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by normac2
1417 days ago
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I think it's because you are going to cross through New Mexico or Utah first (unless we represent "you" as a point, line, or other zero-width object, and have it traverse a 45° line through the infinitely small point of intersection of the four states—which I'd say would be a kind of generous model for any path that happens in real life). |
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I've also flown over Labrador, and would never say "I've been to Labrador" as a result. While I have also visited Indiana, I have travelled through it by rail or car much more often, between Chicago and Michgan. If I had only done this, I would probably say "well, technically I've been to Indiana, but I drove right through it".
Leading me to the "boots on the ground" theory of visitation: a place has been visited if your feet/footware make firm contact with the ground, or an object anchored to the ground in a durable fashion.
At Four Corners, it's quite possible to step directly from New Mexico to Utah, and from Arizona to Colorado, without setting foot in the other two states in the quadrant.
At most, you fly over Arizona and Colorado, on the way from New Mexico to Utah. As we've established, flying over a place is not a visitation.
Which brings us to the fun part! Every tourist who visits four corners walks a circle around the States. Only some, and most children, do the jumps!
If you don't do the jumps you can't say "I've been to Utah straight from New Mexico", which is too bad, since that and its dual are the only topologically interesting part about Four Corners! The other pairings share long borders.
Also, Monument Valley is breathtaking. Truly a wonder of the world.