As travelers and digital nomads, we take on a lot of blame for not being sustainable, being selfish, and not caring about the people who live in the places we only visit. Some of the blame is misplaced, but some of it isn’t.

The hero’s journey. If you didn’t learn this in school, then count yourself lucky. I spent hours analyzing books for their call to adventure, mentors, ordeals, and rewards.

For those new to the party, I took my first car camping trip recently and learned a lot. Getting on the road was so fun, and knowing I only had myself to keep me company left me with a lot of time to think. I chose my destination based on proximity and landed on Croatan National Forest, a short three-hour drive. The forest was stunning, and seeing the ocean alongside the trails was an experience I’ll never forget.