As a first-generation Mexican-American Chicano raised in the concrete streets of Southern California, the concept of camping and exploring the outdoors was unfamiliar to me and my family. Only in recent years have I developed a profound appreciation for the natural world and recognized the significance of treating it with the respect it deserves. After all, this planet is home to not only us but the wildlife that was there before us and will be there after we are gone.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. Let’s embrace the wonders of nature, learn from its wisdom, and foster a sense of stewardship for generations to come.