Michael and I love to camp and hike. When we decide to get away and camp for a weekend we choose Moab, Utah.  Moab has beautiful camping spots and many hikes to choose from, with its unique scenery of red rock landscape and spectacular natural arches.

On the weekend Michael proposed, we went on a hike that was a bit more challenging and further distance than we normally take on. I had no idea Michael was carrying the ring the entire time in his backpack. Michael later told me that it was because of the level of difficulty on this particular hike he decided not to propose.

The next day our plan was to find a more “mellow” type of hike and just enjoy the sun. We ended up in Canyonlands National Park and found a hike called Confluence Overlook Trail. It looked too tempting to pass up. So there we went on yet another 11 mile hike!  It was truly an amazing hike! There were intermittent climbs, and one that led up through a keyhole in the rocks and then a long stretch across the hot, open desert.

When we reached the overlook I went to sit on a rock and take pictures. Michael was about 20 ft. from me. He was kneeling down and getting something out of his backpack. I assumed he was going to check his sugar. He then walked towards me and climbed up the rock. As he knelt down next to me, he said “ouch, ouch.” (All of the hiking!)  Then Michael took out the ring and held it out in front of me and said, “I was just wondering…will you marry me?”  I guess I was so shocked and surprised that I started laughing out loud!  Of course I also said yes.

We were lucky enough to preserve our special moment with pictures  because there happened to be another couple that reached the overlook just before us, so they took pictures of us and we in turn we took theirs.

We had a lot of fun on the remainder of the hike back.  It was an incredibly memorable weekend.

On May 11, 2013 we were engaged!