Sarah & Luke

How They Met

Sarah and Luke met while leading cycling tour… and working for the National Parks in Alaska!

The Proposal

I had been scheming for months, looking for the right opportunity, and even took the time to craft an engagement ring from a fallen Manzanita tree!

I decided to propose deep into the Ventana Wilderness near Big Sur, and lounge in the refreshing waters of Sykes Hot Springs. This was going to be perfect! So, of course, when the day arrived for us to leave on our adventure… we were both hopelessly sick!! Luckily that didn’t stop us completely. At the last minute, we changed plans to go on a shorter backpacking trip in Henry W. Coe State Park instead.

I was a bit nervous and on edge throughout our entire hike, constantly thinking, “Is this the right place? Maybe I should do it now?” But not only did our runny noses continue running all day, it also started to rain. By the time we got to our destination – Kelly Lake – it was freezing, we were soaked, and we were sick. The only respite we could find from the weather was in the alcove of a bathroom constructed on the edge of the lake.

It was in this absolutely miserable situation that, against all odds, Sarah and I found ourselves singing and dancing and laughing without a care in the world. I was having such a good time that the little voice in my head said, “This is it.” Freezing rain, mountain vistas, and illnesses be damned – this was the girl that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with! So, in the alcove of a bathroom with no view to speak of whatsoever, I asked Sarah to marry me. Sick, cold, wet, and happy she said, “yes”!

The Engagement Ring

Here is a beautiful shot of the homemade engagement ring!