RIVER COULDN'T deny how excited he was to go on this trip with you. The two of you were heading to Yosemite National Park for your first anniversary together. Now, usually that isn't what people would expect.

But the two of you were quite different, he loved nature, and so did you. He felt so in love every time you told him about your childhood adventures at the Sierra Nevadas, camping and hiking with your family. Now, he wanted to spend the same adventures with you. He also knew how much you wanted to get married at Yosemite, and perhaps one day, you'll marry him there. River hopes you'll marry him, especially since you're the love of his life.

The first night was a new experience for River—camping. Sure, you guys could've gotten a tent cabin or an actual cabin, but you insisted he experience real camping.

"River, that's not where that stick goes!" You laugh, as the two of you try to set up the small cozy tent.

He shrugged, "I'm trying, aren't I?"

And you simply rolled your eyes playfully, but the tent eventually did get set up!

The sleeping bags and pillows were already set up in the tent. There was a small propane heater in the tent, just in case the dozens of blankets you brought weren't enough. Currently, you were setting up the small portable kitchenette, while River was placing the cooler, bathroom essentials, and food inside the bear locker.

By the time the two of you were done, the sun had set. For the rest of the evening, you spent it by the camp fire, talking about anything that came into your minds. River loved you so much, and he could already picture himself with you here in a few years but with kids.

"[Name]?" River called out, looking at how you gazed at the night sky, stars littering the sky.

"It's beautiful out here, River." You mumbled softly, awe in your beautiful eyes.

And River smiled at you, "You're beautiful too."

He loved the way you blushed, smiling back widely at him.

The next morning, the two of you got up earlier, ate, and began your day at Yosemite. River loved this place, and it gave him a source of inspiration. You took many photos, especially of Half Dome, Curry Village, and the dozens of waterfalls around.

After lunch, the two of you went on a hike, and after awhile, River felt himself getting tired. But you seemed so happy, and he was too.

"Babe?" He spoke, taking a sip of water afterwards.

"Yeah?" You responded, the two of you hiking side by side.

"I can't believe you convinced me to do this." He tells you, and you chuckle at his comment.

"Oh shush, you love this, Mr. Phoenix." You answered back, continuing on with the hike.

River had to admit, he also loved visiting the visitor centers, or any center within Yosemite. He loved reading about the animals at the national park, and the visitors center was the perfect place for it. There was also Youth Programs, and he wondered if his future son or daughter would enjoy trying it out.

River looked around the gift store, looking for souvenirs for his siblings, and he thinks they'd enjoy it out here. It's just such a nice break from the bustling city of Los Angeles, and he wouldn't even mind living out here.

"River, look!" You excitedly exclaimed, approaching him with a small book. It was your stamp book for every national park, and it was filled with dozens of stamps from various of national parks.

"This is like my fifteenth Yosemite stamp!" You clarified with a grin. River's heart swelled with love, and man, he just couldn't believe how much he loved you. It was nuts, honestly.

"Wow, that's a lot, babe." He replied, peering over your shoulder to see the amount of stamps you had.

"We should go there next." You say, pointing at the stamp page that read: Yellowstone National Park.

"We definitely should." River mumbled in agreement, he would go anywhere with you.

Afterwards, the two of you headed back to camp, relaxing for the rest of the evening. For River, funniest part of the evening was helping you make this smoky charred cauliflower and potato soup with kale. The small kitchenette, with the portable stove, turned out to be super handy. While Camp Curry was awesome, it didn't have much options for a vegan to eat at.

And River thinks back to you, he remembers when you decided to adopt he vegan lifestyle. He was so proud of you, especially because you grew up eating meat and dairy products. It wasn't easy for you to give it up, but he supported you.

As the two of you ate the soup on the table, he noticed your loud sigh.

"What's wrong, [Name]?" River questions in concern, looking at you.

"You know what's not going to be fun?" You ask him, and he could see the dread on your face.

"What is it?" He asks once more, preparing for the worst.

"Washing the damn dishes! I hate doing the dishes while camping!" You complain, and River sighed in relief. You were ridiculous, but he understood your pain.

There wasn't an actual place for you to wash the dishes, so River grabbed a large plastic container, finding the nearest water faucet, and filling it with water. He carefully walked back to the campsite, being cautious not to spill he water.

As you poured soap into the container, you yelped, "Damn, this water is cold as hell!"

"You'll survive, [Name]." River told you, citing you off as melodramatic, as he passed you a dirty dish.

"You don't know that! I could like die of hypothermia!" You pointed out dramatically, scrubbing the dish in the soapy container water. You gave the dish back and River dried it, it was a good system going on.

"No you won't, I would let you die." River tells you softly, and your heart swells.

"Because you love me?" You mumble, looking at him, and he glances at you.

"Because I love you to death, and I can't imagine a world without my partner in crime." River confesses, and you're quick to stop what you're doing to pull him into a kiss.

After the dishes are done, you're cold and decide to chill by the campfire before retiring for the night. River joins you, and the two of you enjoy the nature together.

"I don't want to go home." You state, looking around yourself. There's redwood and sequoia trees surrounding you, and they're everywhere. The smell out here was nice, the sky was clear, and there was no rush like there was in the city.

"I don't either,"River says, before adding on, "It's so peaceful out here."

"Yeah, it is. River?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you to death too." You confess to him, referring back to earlier.

And River smiles, wondering how he ever got so lucky, "I'm glad."

River loved it out here, in Yosemite National Park, with you and the nature surrounding the two of you. It was the perfect way to spend your first anniversary together, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Unfortunately, the next morning, the two of you hurried to pack up the campsite.

It was your day to leave the beautiful campsite within the scenic and gorgeous national park. But the your campsite reservation finally came to an end, and the next family using the campsite was coming in the afternoon.

After placing the the cooler, the last thing needed to be pack in your car, you sighed as the work was done.

"River, we're going to need a truck if we go camping again. We packed the car to the max." You inform your boyfriend, finding it a miracle the two of you managed to fit everything snugly into the car.

"Maybe! Hm, I'm really going to miss this place." River says, looking at the now empty campsite one last time.

"We can always come back together. I mean, it's only a five hour drive. It isn't too bad, and maybe we can bring your siblings or Keanu!" You suggested.

"Yeah, they would love it here." River nods in agreement.

"But before that, our next trip is to Yellowstone! There's so much to do there!" You exclaim excitedly, and River couldn't wait. He was excited too.

The drive back was long, and a bit boring as you left the Sierra Nevadas, and went through Bakersfield, California. You claimed Bakersfield looked like an armpit, and River snorted at the statement.

He'll miss this adventure, but there's always next time. He's just so glad he got to spent this camping experience with you. After all, you're one of his favorite people on Earth.

Author's Note:

I went to REI today, and thought, "River would love camping!" So, this imagine was born. It was suppose to be a gif imagine but it got too long, oh well. I based this on my experiences at Yosemite National Park, a place a visit very often and hold dear to my heart. My family LOVES camping, and I've been to a lot of the major national parks.

Anyways, I apologize for the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.