Being from Texas, and flying mostly in the Midwest and South, I have
never
asked for nor had any need for a contact approach. If I see the runway I
tell the controller, and he gives me a visual.


That's not sufficient, a visual approach requires VFR conditions.

Well, if it is an uncontrolled airport, the airspace is Class G from 700
feet to the surface, and all you need is 1 mile and clear of clouds for VFR,
right?

Another angle; in class G you can fly IFR without a clearance (as long as
you have an instrument rating). We always cancel IFR as soon as we see the
field and can make it in clear of clouds.

Russ