My most thrilling experience with nature was when I studied abroad in New Zealand. I've always been a big fan of the outdoors and for this reason I chose to travel to New Zealand because of the country's beautiful scenery. Everything there was breathtaking, but the place I remember the most is my trip to Able Tasman National Park. My friends and I took a 4 hour hike through the forests and the views were absolutely amazing. The water was bluish green and the sand was a yellowish color. At various points throughout the hike it would rain and five minutes later it would be warm and sunny. One of the best parts of the hike was one of the side trails which lead to the beach. It was there that I was able to take in how wonderful nature really is. Something about being by yourself on a vast stretch of land with the sound of waves crashing in the background allows you to completely relax. Nature allows our imaginations to grow and provides a place where we can escape from the difficulties of the real world. In a way it allows us to slow down time and appreciate life's beauty. For these reasons, whether you're an environmentalist or not, I think nature is something we should value and work hard to preserve. Whether you simply like to take a break from a hard day at work and go for a walk in the park or you're an avid hiker, nature fits into everyone's daily routines.