The World's First National Park

YELLOWSTONE

Ethan ("E") and I packed up my Corolla a couple weekends ago and drove 6 hours northward to West Yellowstone, Montana. You see, this became a favorite vacation spot for me and my older brothers while growing up.  Now older, it still remains a favorite. My memories include stuffing our camping gear into an old, plastic luggage carrier strapped to the top of the car and making the what-seemed-like-forever drive to West Yellowstone. Even today, there are still a few soundtracks that remind me of these memorable road trips, for example Les Miserables and The Last of the Mohicans.

Wherever we travel, Mom always loves to tell us about the history of the place. So while Dad would drive through these scenic landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, Mom would point to the blackened, rotting trees and tell us about the fires of 1988.

Without fail, our family would pitch our tent at Lionshead, about a 5 minute drive outside West Yellowstone. This is where I caught my first fish! I recall Dad would ask to put us next to the stream so (of course) I followed family tradition and requested the same site (see below). 

The most predictable geographical feature on Earth--Old Faithful.

Erupts about every 91 minutes.

The bison (aka buffalo) were everywhere...

...and Mom would never have let us get out of the car and get this close.

Photo taken by Ethan while I drove

Although longer, E and I drove home through Wyoming. And trust me, the long stretches of nothingness were worth the gorgeous landscapes of Teton National Park.

A Few Shout Outs

I keep taking pictures thinking I'll sit down and post them to my blog. Unfortunately, my laptop is on its deathbed, so I have to wait until I visit my parents to upload new pictures and update this blog. I know what you're thinking...first world problems.

There are many important people in my life but I'll use these pictures to highlight only a few of them. 

Elizabeth Nelson

Holy smokes! My little sister has grown up! About a month ago, my parents were back in Washington D.C. supporting my oldest brother, Cameron, at his graduation from George Washington University (nicely done!), which left me in a pickle...to say the least. You see, I was in charge of getting my only sister ready for her senior prom. Honestly, few experiences have caused me this much stress in my life. (Hard life...I know) I think it's safe to say that dudes have no idea how much girls do to get ready for their prom. Trust me...I know now! Below is a picture of the final product in our backyard. I couldn't have done it without a couple good friends--thank you!

A couple weeks later, Elizabeth graduated from Olympus High School. It was weird. I hadn't been to a high school graduation since my own six years prior. Now that my sister will be a university student in the fall, one thing is for certain--I can no longer ask out freshman. :(

Logan Nelson

My nephew had his first birthday this past month--June 8. He visited us while his parents were in Africa. I took this shot at Elizabeth's graduation and later framed it for a nice Father's Day gift. My dad likes the photo but my mom (the real artist in the family) says he's falling out of the photo. I argued using the "rule of thirds" but mom is probably right. Good thing she never reads my blog...

Lilly & Lexi Morton

My cousins had their dance recital during the first week of June. I secretly want to be their favorite cousin, so I'm willing to do almost anything. It's a pride thing...I know...I'm working on it. Anyway, I've never been a prouder cousin. There was probably over 100 dancers at this recital but my two cousins stuck out due to pure talent. PLUS, not only are they gifted at dancing but both sing and Lexi has a rare gift for the piano. I love these girls!

Nick & Tasha

My buddy, Nick, finally married his best friend, Tasha, on June 19.  Nick and I have been friends for almost 10 years. I can't believe this is the same kid who would bully me in the hallways of Olympus Jr. High. A year later, we became friends and I became his permanent chauffeur for another year until he finally got his license. Nick was the first to kiss a girl in high school but I was close behind...and kissed the same girl a few weeks later. This time, Nick, it won't take a few weeks to get where you are. Honestly, it may take a few years...

I promise she loves him. He's just a little too rough sometimes.

Easter Sunday

It's Easter Sunday, so I wish to share a few thoughts on my blog.

It was a tradition in the Nelson home to wake up on Easter morning and immediately start looking for my hidden Easter basket. Once I found my basket, I would open each plastic, colored egg to see what kind of candy the Easter Bunny had left for me. Honestly, I could eat Starburst Jelly Beans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, however, the treat I cherished most was the large chocolate egg sitting on top of the fake Easter grass. Eloquently displaying the name "Graden" in beautiful white cursive (written in frosting) made this chocolate egg no ordinary treat. I valued this egg because it made me feel valued.

Now at college living away from home, there are no baskets nor chocolate eggs waiting to be found. Recently, I learned the word Easter comes from Eastre, a Norse goddess whose pagan festival was observed at the spring equinox. The association of this pagan goddess with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was only by adaptation and synthesis.

As a 24-year old Christian, I now celebrate Easter to commemorate and worship my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived on Earth as a mortal man 2,000 years ago. He lived a perfect life teaching people how to live their lives in a way that was pleasing unto God. Jesus taught, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." I feel valued knowing that the Savior of Mankind truly knows me, Graden Nelson.

Two millennia later, I am developing my personal relationship with Him. I celebrate Easter by remembering His life, sacrifice, death, and resurrection. I feel much gratitude knowing that Christ laid down his life for me. I love Him for the gift He has given me.

The LDS Church has brought the New Testament to life by producing Bible Videos. Here's a short Easter video. Enjoy!

Meet the Grandparents

It's been enjoyable to see my parents turn into grandparents. 

Band of (Nelson) Brothers

While growing up under the Nelson household, nothing bonded us brothers more than BYU football. We would discuss strategy from preseason to postseason, attend every home game, and every so often, travel to the away games. Although this annual tradition continues, I've found newer ways to bond with my two older brothers. One of these channels is running marathons.

A couple years ago, I was going through a rough time not knowing where my life was headed. I went to my dad for some counsel one afternoon. After sitting down in his office, he told me a few personal experiences when his life was turned upside down and then reminded me that "Nelsons do hard things." This counsel has made a HUGE impact on my life. My brothers especially do hard things, which has helped me overcome life's stumbling blocks.

Jamen (wearing all black & long sleeves) gets his personal best running in Crocs.

As an ultra runner, Jamen is use to hard things. Once I told him that there was no way I could run an ultramarathon. He replied via email, saying, "You can't fathom running for 50 miles because you've never tried it. You could absolutely do it. It's all about changing your frame of mind about what is possible! Nothing is impossible."

My very supportive mother running part of the last mile with me. She's awesome!

Cam and Ashley with Logan, their 4-month old baby.

My brother, Cameron, does hard things. Somehow, he is able to do medical school and be a dad while training for these races. However, let's be honest, Ashley's an incredible wife.

14-year old brother, Ethan

My brother, Ethan, does the hardest of things. Marathon pain is temporary. However, Ethan's pain is chronic and has been for the last 10 years while struggling with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The painful aftermath of a marathon has made me aware of what he feels daily. He's truly remarkable.

The aftermath of the St. George marathon...

Wishing I were dead.

Leaning on a branch for support.

Everything, including Jamen's pat on the back, hurts.

Never Never Land

I've traveled to many faraway places where people have used words like "paradise" or "surreal" to describe what they were seeing and feeling. However, I'm convinced these words would be used more frequently if people would put down the remote and spend time seeking such "Heavenly" places. 

These pictures remind me of the 10-year old kid inside me counting down the seconds before sprinting outside to the playground. I've grown and so has my playground.

Homeward Bound

Knowing today was my last day in Europe, I would consciously close my eyes taking mental snapshots of everything I smelled, saw, and felt. After which, I would put extra effort at storing these snapshots into the file that is permanent and unforgettable.

Nick and I strolled back to the Old Town of Prague during the morning. While walking the streets, we walked by the Torture Museum, and paid peanuts for a self-guided tour. It was interesting (and disturbing) to read about the creative ways people were tortured during the Dark Ages. Although it sounds sick/wrong, my favorite part was seeing these life size wax figures in the process of being tortured.

Later in the afternoon, Nick and I crossed the Charles Bridge to hike a nearby hill that looked over Prague. Even my loyal Cannon Rebel T2i cannot capture the gorgeous surroundings of this colorful city. Glad I took those mental snapshots!

Rubbing this plaque on Charles Bridge is brings good luck

Not until late afternoon did Nick and I decide to visit Terezin, the World War II Jewish ghetto and concentration camp located just north of Prague. However, on our way to the train station, Nick and I paid tribute to John Lennon by visiting "Lennon Wall" just a few hundred yards from the Vltava River. Lyrics like, "You may say that I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one" were spray painted all over the wall. 

Lennon Wall

I love Tasha too but this is Nick's chubby finger

Once we found our bus, we had to wait about 45-minutes for a later bus because the first bus driver was merciless to us poor American boys, who were literally running through the fumes of the departing bus. Exhausted, I fell asleep for the entire hour ride to Terezin hoping that Nick would just wake me at the right stop. It worked!

A beautiful but solemn graveyard left after the destructive Holocaust

Arriving just after 6 pm, Terezin proved to be a ghost town. We walked around the historical sites trying to piece it all together without an official tour. As soon as I saw the cemetery lined with gravestone after gravestone from innocent Jews and Nazi opposers, a feeling of reverence swept over me. As I walked between these graves, I was taken back to the Holocaust Museum, which Nick and I had visited in London. Interestingly, both the Cross of Christianity and the Star of David were placed about 50 yards from each other. To me, these religious symbols represent a bright hope for a future when a common faith in God will build a people rather than destroy.

The highlight of my trip to Terezin came at a moment of sheer panic. We were in such a hurry to get to Terezin that we didn't think about getting back. Hindsight, this was not smart. Tired of walking around all day, Nick stuck his thumb out when we found out that there were no more buses going back to Prague. Fortunately, God answered our silent prayers and sent a miracle in the form of Vlada and Radka. This amazing couple was just about to go walk Vlada's dog. Radka is from Prague while Vlada is a local to Terezin. Knowing we would be in serious trouble without their help, they told us that they would walk about half of the 45-minutes to the nearest train station and show us the rest of the way. Vlada gave us the historical tour we were hoping for as we walked through the Jewish ghetto towards the train station. I REALLY enjoyed my conversation with this young couple and hope they are okay with being friends for life. Instead of walking with us half the distance, they took us the entire way and wrote down instructions on how to get back to Prague. Seriously, I am truly grateful for this couple because no one at the train station spoke sufficient English.

After exchanging contact info with Vlada and Radka, we spent the next three hours traveling and waiting at two different train stations. It was after midnight when we got back to our hostel. However, sleep was the least of my worries because I would have a long flight in the morning.

This support crew definitely made up for the time when no one picked me up after my two-year mission

After flying from Prague to Atlanta then home to Salt Lake City, Nick and I were greeted by Tasha and the greatest parents we could ask for. Special thanks must be given to a few special people who made this trip possible... 


@Nick, many thanks for accepting my friendship long before Facebook was created. Through thick and thin, you've been there.


@Tasha, many thanks for supporting and inspiring Nick on his way to greatness.


@Dave & Heidi (Nick's parents), many thanks for treating me like your own blood. I still feel bad I threw Nick's shoe through your window.


@Mom & Dad, many thanks for teaching me to how to work hard AND play hard. I love you both.