Navigating Nature

While every season has its charm, spring has a buzz to it that can’t be beat. Animals come out from hibernation with brand new babes to teach how to survive, we finally shed a layer or three of winter gear when we leave the house, and as snow melts and flowers bloom it’s the perfect time to pack some bags and hit the road to explore the wonders this world has to offer.

Maybe you’ve been traveling for years in a custom camper, or perhaps you are just now starting to understand the importance of some “you” time and want to shake things up. Challenge your norm and start researching and planning now, so you get the most from your getaway.

Picture the Plan

Tattoo conventions happen worldwide, during all seasons, and can give a traveler a focal point for trip planning. While American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver may not have been thinking about tattoo conventions when she asked, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” it’s fitting nonetheless. With almost 2,000 conventions in 2025 around the globe, many of them taking place in spring, this is a great time to craft your perfect tattoo getaway.

Andrew Alexander King, adventure traveler and founder of the Between Worlds Project, breaks down travel into three categories: city, beach/island, land/mountain. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: New Zealand, New York City, and Nepal all have conventions the same weekend in April, for example. With the kind of trip you want pinned down, the rest can more easily fall into place.

King recommends breaking out of your current environment. “If you’re not from an island, go to an island, and if you’re from an island, go to a mainland. The contrast is very, very pronounced,” he says.

Islands are likely to have a strong sense of community and culture because while people come and go, they rarely stay or even circle back continuously, so the culture and community of the island can stay more unique to itself. “The more remote the island, the more likely it’s going to make you understand what life is about,” King says. And if you grew up and live on an island, visiting a mainland city can be equally perspective-shifting. Pick a place, and let it change you.

If something breaks during your stay, King says, “You have to be a human being,” meaning, if you need help, friendliness and open heartedness will go a long way, especially when there’s a language barrier. “And that’s the cool thing about traveling: it makes you humble yourself in a place where no one can speak your language, understand what you’re saying. But they understand kindness and just being rude — those are two things that are fundamentally always there.”

Pack Intentionally

Wherever you go, soak in the newness with an open mind. If you visit the beach, try surfing, suggests King, or rock climbing if you head to the mountains. An outfitter in the area can provide you with gear, lessons, and support. Search around for reviews at a few different locations — travel sites, guidebooks, local blogs — to be sure your needs will be adequately met, especially if there will be a language barrier.

“You have to be a human being”, Meaning, if you need help, friendliness and open heartedness will go a long way, especially when there’s a language barrier.”

You may need to purchase gear that focuses closely on your particular adventure. “Any foam board will do the trick,” King says regarding surfboards. “Most of the time you would like to get balance without breaking your board when starting out.” And climbing harnesses are similar. Something that is simple to use and can hold your weight is more important than the latest technology.

Good gear is still recommended for less specialized activities, like a hike or walk around a city. For shoes, a wide-toed sneaker can be a great option for all-day wear: they’re lightweight, offer full toe coverage, there’s enough cushion to withstand hours of walking on hard surfaces, possibly with a backpack, and have room for your toes to wiggle even as your feet expand throughout the day.

A duffel bag for traveling and a comfortable backpack for day trips will make your trip easier to navigate. The duffel bag should be durable enough to withstand being treated like cargo. The backpack ought to be comfortable and have adequate weight distribution. What’s inside is most important: a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and a secret stash of cash.

A few additions should be added to your bag as well. “A good journal for sure, because it’s cool to see as you’re evolving, moving through it,” King, who routinely journals his outings, says. “At the end of the year, I read through that journal, I’m like, ‘Wow, you’ve definitely grown.’”

Traveling is a great way to distill and process our world and how we interact with it, and keeping a log of those moments can help you remember all the cool stuff you see and experience, as well as the incredible ways we learn, grow, and adapt. Also helpful is a good phone for navigation, translation, and photos. The Instax app allows King to print photos akin to Polaroids to give to friends as memorabilia of shared experiences.

Budget for a few tokens of your experiences. Buying a painting, musical instrument, or other item from a local artist will not only prolong your connection with your trip by pinging your memory at home, but it will also enrich it through the interaction with the maker.

Personalize and Prioritize

You don’t need a plane ticket to have a perspective-altering experience. A van or truck bed can become a makeshift bedroom with some pallets, and a car can be a comfortable place to rest with a vehicle-specific air mattress that fits your back seat if you don’t have a vehicle designed to accommodate sleeping. If you travel by motorcycle or bicycle, a tent can provide even novice travelers with shelter and privacy without too much weight.

“When it comes to roughing it, I don’t have any major deal-breakers, as adapting to the environment is part of the adventure,” King says. However, he has three essential pre-expedition considerations. First, shelter and warmth. “Whether in a tent or an RV, having protection from the elements is crucial. Temperature control, wind resistance, and insulation make a significant difference in rest and recovery,” he explains.

Second, King seeks shelter where noise, such as extreme wind, and other disturbances are minimized. Lastly, an adequate setup where one can rest weary muscles is ideal for proper recovery. “A quality sleep pad and an insulated sleeping bag are non-negotiable when in extreme environments,” he says.

“Ultimately, while a good night’s sleep is valuable, it’s often a luxury rather than a guarantee on expeditions,” King says of sleeping accommodations. “The key is preparing the body and mind beforehand so they can endure long days in unpredictable conditions.”

Curiosity is your guide. When you have an open mind and interest in the people and experiences around you, everything is an opportunity. If you want a tattoo from a local shop to commemorate your experience, there are a few factors to keep an eye out for — no matter where in the world you are. King recommends checking out the art being done in the moment, how clean the workstations are, and how the artists treat people at every step, from scheduling to explaining aftercare. “The main thing is, you’re getting a permanent gift.”

Bedrock XT2

Set Off with Style

KRUG Expedition embarked in the United States in 2024 for the first time with its new Bedrock XT2 Expedition Truck. The Austria-based auto builder combines the durability of an adventure vehicle with the practical accoutrements of home.

“Our customers are quite literally at the center of any and all outdoor adventures with the way the Bedrock XT2 is strategically configured.” ~KRUG Expedition CEO Slawa Knorr”

KRUG Expedition and Arctic Trucks collaborated to develop this road and wilderness warrior, reengineered from a Ford F-550. The Bedrock XT2 boasts a tri-axle 6×4 drivetrain, multi-purpose tires, and an air suspension system that can be adjusted quickly from inside the cab to accommodate changing terrain. On the inside, make yourself at home with a kitchen, bathroom, and king-size bed with plenty of room to dream about tomorrow’s adventure. krugxp.us

Gotta Go!

Trelino toilets offer on-the-go convenience and portability.

When you set off for an off-road adventure, you need simple, compact, and easy-to-clean solutions for your messes. With a Trelino composting toilet, you can take care of your dirty business wherever your journey takes you, without chemicals or electricity, leaving you free to travel to your favorite places for longer.

Easy to store in your trunk or a drawer, the Trelino portable toilet is a convenient restroom option that can go with you wherever you roam. Manufactured in Germany, Trelino toilets are meticulously designed and engineered, prioritizing ease of use, longevity, and aesthetics. In addition, Trelino touts a thorough, top-notch customer support team that is ready to assist customers all over the globe. mytrelino.com

Go the Distance

Rig and ready yourself for a spectacular adventure.

The TOBIQ Sleek Vik 60L travel bag equips you with ultimate organizational and versatile carrying options when you’re on the go, meaning more convenience. Wear it as a backpack, carry it like a duffel bag, or simply grab the handles and go.

With four compartments and 18 organizational options, including two exterior pockets and a padded laptop sleeve, you can locate important items quickly and easily. Its durable recycled ripstop polyester has an easy-to-clean, sleek, waterproof coating that protects belongings from rain, spills, or whatever wet conditions come your way. The Sleek Vik meets most airline standards for overhead storage, which makes it a great travel companion whether you’re flying high, on the road, or covering ground by foot. tobiqtravel.com

Luxury Undercover

Vistabule’s simple yet sexy design offers a wealth of ease and convenience.

Vistabule’s teardrop trailers connect travelers to the world surrounding them, integrating large windows in its designs that beckon passengers to absorb the magnificence of the outdoors. The family-owned business has earned accolades for its high-quality craftsmanship, sleek retro-modern design, and functionality, with comfortable sleeping space, headspace, and legroom.

Pop the hatch and discover a galley kitchen equipped with a stovetop, sink, cooler cubbyhole, and counter and storage space. The original Vistabule design utilizes every inch of space for your home away from home, with a 10-speed fan, interior and exterior lighting, flip-up tables, and a queen-size bed with underbed storage that converts to seating space with a pop-up table.

Or keep amenities simple and spacious with its lighter-weight DayTripper model, which offers a minimalist aesthetic with more leg space and a smaller price tag than the original. vistabule.com