Weeks before Memorial Day Weekend, Devin was adamant we go camping. BTW, there is no spell check on this site, so I apologize  in advance for my many typos/spelling & grammar errors! There was nothing left to book in So Cal.  Devin was certain there would be places in the Angeles Forest based on a first-come basis. I wasn't so sure, but I knew he was serious, so I went along for the ride--a very long ride.  After several hours of driving the entire length of CA Highway 2, we ended up near Wrightwood (near highway 138 and I-15).  He was desperate to find a place for the weekend, and take me on a sunset hike.  After he made a few phone calls, we both knew it would just be silly and expensive to find a place to stay for the weekend, so we decided to hike Mt. Baldy, and head home.  We took a short two mile hike on Mt. Baldy trail.  At the top, in a meadow, Devin pulled out a bottle of wine and plastic glasses for us to enjoy the view.   We had a glass of wine, and after Devin got his nerves up, he got down on one knee, in the dirt, and proposed to me.  It was sincere and touching.  Couldn't have been better. Devin is wonderful! I'm blessed for knowing him, and even better, he and I will be life-long partners! I can't wait for the many adventures we will share. 

So turns out it takes 3 weeks to finish a wedding ring, so my first idea of proposing to Lisa over a brunch in San Diego was out. Back to the drawing board. Memorial Day weekend was just around the corner, so all I had to do was think up a good 3-day weekend plan. With my imagination running wild, I pictured proposing to Lisa at the top of a mountain, the sun going down below the valley, a picturesque sunset, and a bottle of wine as I get down on one knee and propose. I haven't camped as much these days as I did as a kid. But I remember Bukhorn Flats in the Angeles Mountains was a favorite, and we never had any trouble finding a spot. Spoiler alert ... the population of LA has grown a bit in the past 20 years, so when we got up there, it was packed. And same story at the next few campsites. So after a beautiful drive through the Angeles Forest, I'm trying to think up a plan B. As we're completing our circle, we decide to hike Mt. Baldy, I know a perfect space 2 miles up with a nice view along the hike, and a shady meadow to propose. I'm hoping she isn't hearing the wine bottle in my backpack clink as we ascend the mountain. With our puppy in tow, we get up to Bear Flats, I open the bottle for us to have our picnic (and calm my nerves). Then I propose right there. Lisa shares my love of hiking, and this is the best hike we've ever had. Mt. Baldy wasn't the destination, it was part of the journey, and I am excited to continue our journey together into marriage and beyond!