That works, too! As a trainer, you should know that you'll need badges in order to use moves like "Fly" and "Surf", which make travel easier - which is one reason a lot of people try to get them. Your pokemon may be able to swim or fly, but they can't take you along until they learn the move via HM, and if you aren't a breeder you need the badge for it to work.

[ SHRUG. She's never been one for questioning the mechanics of games - at least, not in her current state. ]

Very good! It was, but people do still try it.

[ ...or they just don't read the guide... ]