I’ve got 15 minutes before I have to leave for work, and I’m sitting on my couch in my PJs drooling over the REi website. After spending the last two days on a solo trip to Joshua Tree, I’m feeling bit by the outdoors bug bad (and luckily NOT feeling bit from the tarantula I spotted when I went off-trail on one of my hikes). Plus, REI gave me a $20 gift card—a reward for dropping wayyy more than $20 in prep for this last trip—can’t let it go to waste! But the money I do regret wasting is what I spent on my lodging. While I stayed in a perfect tiny cabin with sheep (!) and horses (!!!) roaming the land freely, I felt guilty spending so much when I didn’t need electricity, I didn’t need a shower, and I certainly didn’t need a mini fridge. I grew up a confirmed “indoor kid”. My parents were far from outdoorsy never took me to the beach, let alone to a campsite. But as I got older I fell in love with the ol “great outdoors” and started spending my weekends exploring new hiking trails and g