Kei Watanabe

Hello, my name is Kei Watanabe. Nature has always been a key part of my life. Whether it was going to national parks with my family or a small local hike, nature has always helped me stay balanced in my life. This summer I took it to another level by going on a 5,000 mile road trip with two friends. Driving out west we made stops in Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Kansas City. We were able to explore beautiful national parks such as Great Sand Dunes, Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountain, and the Badlands. Experiencing places I had only ever seen through a screen was a surreal feeling I can't explain. Walking through sand dunes in Colorado, to driving for hours on end helped me understand the world better. This trip helped me become a more independent person. Tracking gas costs, planning camping sites, and making sure we weren't going to be eaten by bears made me realize how much preparation goes into planning adventures/vacations. Despite a close call with a grizzly and many arguments in never ending car rides, the nature was worth all of the hassle. In a time when most of my time is spent behind a screen, the calm sound of birds chirping and beautiful views helps me realize how big the world is. Every place we stopped by had their own charm, and helped me realize how much there is to see and learn in this world.