Since I can remember, I’ve had a goal to visit all 50 states and 50 countries before the age of 50 (there are 196 to choose from, after all). The 50/50 club is a badge of pride. An accomplishment reserved only for the elite wanderlusters who have a travel addiction so bad they have been bitten by the need to see the world. It's an addiction as much as a need. A lifestyle as much as a passion.
Without cheating, I don't count airport layovers as visits. Use your best discretion as to how long you must be at a place to officially check it off the list, but I say you have to at least make a stop, not just pass through on a road trip in the middle of the night (yeah, we know you did that with Iowa). As for me, I’m a little over halfway on the states and ditto with the countries. How far along are you?