I have been camping all my life. I grew up camping and hiking in the Smoky Mountain National Park every summer. Since there are five of us in my family, tents were not the most ideal sleeping arrangements. We started with a pop-up camper that my father had to crank up in order to make room for us to sleep. It was a pretty simple living space, but it was a lot of fun. Later down the road, we got a full size camper. Air conditioning, running water, and all the other luxuries one could think of inside a pull behind camper were in this traveling home. As usual, we took it to the Smoky Mountains and other places around the south. The summer of sixth grade is when camping really clicked for me. Prior to that, I enjoyed hikes, campfires, and s'mores, but camping was just an extended weekend trip. It was not until my whole family, five people and two dogs, got in the car with our pull behind camper to travel the nation that I really fell in love with the outdoors. Seeing the wonders of the West was an unforgettable experience that changed my view of not only camping but nature as well. Seeing the Rocky Mountains first come into sight is an awe-inspiring moment. National Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Sequoia can leave a lasting mark on anyone. Ever since that summer trip I have continued to pursue the outdoors in any way possible. I tried to get out for a hike every weekend this past summer and go on some trips with my father. Nowadays, I stick with a tent and a sleeping bag, but I thank my parents for introducing me to our beautiful country in those campers.