India, Nov. 15 -- Retirement can take some getting used to, but Jim Chew found an unusual way to fill his days. The 78-year-old from Ohio decided to turn his love for state fairs into a travel challenge, setting himself a goal that would take him far beyond his home state.

After retiring at 75, Chew began thinking about how he could combine his interest in fairs with his love for travel. A regular visitor to the Ohio State Fair, he wondered what similar events across the country had to offer.

Chew previously ran a condominium management company in Columbus, Ohio. He particularly enjoyed the Ohio State Fair's attractions, from the Ferris wheel to the animal shows. Later, he came across a Facebook page called 'Visit All 50 States'. It ins...