I remember camping with my family when I was a kid. I loved going on hikes and walking the trails along the way with my grandfather. We roughed it like nobody ever roughed it before. I remember when I was about 10 years old, my grandpa would sneak me some coffee from the campfire before everyone else woke up. Those were the days!

Now, I have a family of my own and I wanted to share my camping experiences with them. Now, once year we all go camping at some campground that is more conventional than most. We go to Kampgrounds of America, aka KOA. There, you can rent cabins, small houses, or bring your tents. You still get the camping experience, cooking on the outside, man made fire pit and walking the trails, But, this place has swimming pools, golf courses, and horse back riding. But, for those who still want to rough it, there is a river as far as the eye can see where anyone can go fishing or tube down the river.

Now, if you are like me, roughing it with all the wild animals and snakes are not my cup of tea. At KOA, there are no wild animals or snakes. There are however, lots of squirrels, deer, raccoons, and yes, even lizards. These harmless friends don't bother anyone, though. Take my advice and camp at your local KOA. It's a bundle of fun and there's a little roughing it, too. Can't wait to smell the campfire coffee!

Roughing it sounds like so much fun when there are places like KOA. They even have spots to park your motor home so you don't feel homesick. It's your home away from home, you might say! I can go for that. Can't you?

My grandpa may be turning in his grave with all these new fangled places that call themselves campgrounds, but, I enjoy these places. I love sitting outside on my lawn chair, gazing at the stars while the fire pit keeps me warm and cozy on a cool summer night. I like sitting at the picnic table after dinner, playing cards with my husband while we listen to nature all around us, or chatting with the neighbors in the cabin beside us or the motor home across the way! We get together and play volleyball or go to the camp theater to watch the movie of the night. This reminds me of an outside movie theater.

Trust me, you will have so much fun!