The car soon filled with laughter as we pulled off the highway, turning beneath a sign labeled, “Glensburg.” This was a far more familiar sight to me as rows of towering buildings passed us by, alight with glowing windows and buzzing business signs. There was something homely about being in a concrete jungle once more; still, I was finding myself missing the trees.

Once Aiden found a parking spot, we all piled out and started for the nearest crosswalk. Noah and Laura were quick to fall in ...