@13ft

I'm actually the subject of the entry. The numbers are indeed correct: I have documented 2,700 post offices over the past three years, and have the photographs as well as a substantial collection of hand-stamped postmarks to show for it. You're right in that takes a LOT of time, though a person motivated is capable of uncommon feats.

Keep in mind, it's not as though I spend four hours at every location. Sometimes my stops last five or fewer minutes, especially if the clerk is busy or if there are customers on line. I won't keep them all waiting so I can shoot the breeze, and frequently the historical knowledge of a location is simply not known by anyone at the P.O. That said, to write about a location I enjoyed, I'll always conduct my own [additional] research after the fact. At minimum, while a PO is open, I'll go in and get my postmark for my collection, go outside and take a photo or two, and move on.

Sometimes I could spend an hour at an office if the Postmaster feels like chatting, s/he has some time, and the place is of particular interest.

Lately I haven't had the luxury of being able to operate during the week, so during weekends (and especially on Sundays) I have to bite the bullet, just go out and photograph, leave notes where I can, or mail back later to see if they have anything to contribute.

It helps to have your stops (or at least your general geographical area of interest) mapped out in advance; so yes, while they get more spread out over time, it's still quite possible -- especially if you make a weekend trip of it and use your nightly stops as a geographic base for explorations in a new corner of the country. It just requires the care and effort.

Hope you enjoyed the article in any case. Take care,
-- Postal Santa

13ft, a year is 365/6 days. Are you saying that over three years, or 1,000 days, you couldn't drive to an average of two or three places each day, even if it meant a stop in to say hello and a photograph at each place?

Sadly, my magic is not at work here.