Way back last fall, SVV told me he wanted to take me to some bad ass natural hot springs way up in the Sierra Nevadas for my birthday. There would be camping involved. I’m kind of a snob with my hotels these days—go figure—but I said sure nonetheless. February rolled around. There was never another mention of the getaway. So I planned my own soiree. On my birthday day, SVV admitted, “I don’t have you a present. I had this whole weekend at the springs I was banking on, but then you had to go and make other plans.” Oops. But in all fairness, he hadn’t mentioned it in, like, four months. By that time I figured it must have been an afterthought.
“That’s fine, though,” he said, “we’ll just go another time. How’s March for you?” I responded in bemusement, “surely, you must know me better than that. My schedule’s booked solid through May!” Not only was it true, but I think part of my allure is that air of mystique—I’m sometimes hard to pin down, even if you are my boyfriend, and you often never quite know where I’ll pop up next. Admit it, that’s why you like me, no?
When I got back from Florida, it was another couple days of guidebook smackdown, but SVV is out of work through mid-summer thanks to the motorcycle incident, so once I logged a couple more 20-hour work days and surrendered my Mac to the Genius doctors for a couple days of check-ups—meaning, I really had nothing else left to do—we decided to take the long-awaited jaunt to the Sierras midweek. We drove and drove and then drove some more. It was about a four-hour drive, with seventy bazillion stops, that totaled seven hours trip time. But in the end, we wound up in the barren stretch of land that is Sierraville.
I most surely thought SVV was taking me here to kill me. Other than some asinine cows for company, and the lone general store and Mexican joint, there was nothing—or no one—for miles.
In our two days at the springs, we also spotted some other friendly creatures, like the sunbathing, blue-bellied lizards.
And some more menacing foes, like this snake. Funny enough, after I spotted her, another snake slithered out from behind the rock, and they started making snake whoopie. I swear it. It was one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever witnessed, comparable to electrifying a cat: They jumped and violently twirled in the air, at times nearly standing on the tips of their tails, intertwined like a pair of vines. We tried to get them on film, but they quickly dispersed as we approached. After my experience with the belugas at the Georgia Aquarium, I should probably just stop at that. Ever since that occurence last Christmas, “animal porn” has been the number one search term that brings people to this site.
I guess I should mention that the springs…were clothing optional. And Californians, well, they take that offer seriously (hi, Mom!). Not a soul was wearing garments (in the baths, that is), and being the Southern belle that I am, I blushed more than once when an old man would strike up a friendly conversation in the pools, as his twig and berries shamelessly floated about like a couple of oversized Skittles on the International Space Station.
SVV had been to these springs before, many moons ago. They were very hippy-dippy-trippy, but in a good sort of way. And how cool to be surrounded by such barren wildlife as the sulrur penetrates your bones. I haven’t felt or heard that much quiet in such a long time ever. And the weather couldn’t have been more perfect; given my track record, that’s a miracle in itself.
The camping part of the experience wasn’t so bad either, as SVV is a fella who camps in style. Not only did we haul all the bedding from our home to the mountains, we also loaded up my car with every single blanket in the linen closet. In the end, I’d dare say it was nearly as comfortable as our brand new Vera Wang mattress.
It was a very relaxing time—heck, I was even inspired to turn off my BlackBerry for 24 hours, and I’m addicted to that thing. On the way back home Wednesday, we scenically veered around Lake Tahoe, had subpar bagels in Truckee, stopped over by Auburn to beat the 90-degree heat by taking a dip in a heart-stoppingly chilly reservoir, and got engaged. Kind of the recipe for a perfect day, wouldn’t you say?
*All photos taken by my FIANCE, SVV. He hates that word—though admits it’s better than “beau,” which I’ve used on more than one occasion, much to his dismay—but I’ll use it to my little heart’s content. FIANCE, FIANCE, FIANCE.
Story to come, kids. Hang on to your horses.
Cameras: Canon XTi, 17-85mm lens, Canon SD870 point-and-shoot.
YAY!!!!!!!!! Even though you’re a TOTAL TEASE.
I know the story and I still want to read it. Argh.
Tell Jeanie I’m happy to help with any or all wedding planning!!!!!!!!!
That sounds and looks totally refreshing. I love the shot with the little house and the endless sky.
I had to read that sentence twice! Congratulations! What a great trip!
Oh what a lovely story! Here I was thinking it was just an ordinary camping jaunt and you end it with an engagement! Congratulations! Peace
OMG, contrats! Do you think he’d planned this since first bringing up the hot springs. Which, BTW, I absolutely love and have none near by. They always seem to be far away.
Whoa! Here I was just reading along, all “la la, heh, twigs and berries, hmm, I have relatives in Truckee…” and then you sneak that in. Congratulations!
These photographs are absolutely beautiful and the post reads like a photo essay. I have never been to California but this post makes me want to pack my bag now. Congratulations on your (shhhh…) engagement!
Congratulations! What a wonderful story with great pictures to boot.
Congratulation!! What a romantic way to get engaged.
Congrats!
Congratulations!! What a great way to end the story!! Can’t wait to hear the details.
Aww! Can’t wait to hear the story. Looks like a lovely spot!
How exciting!! Congratulations!!
Yay! Congrats! Can’t wait to hear the story.
Congratulations! !!!
Tapping foot impatiently!
You are hilarious
And, YAY!
Congrats! That sounds like such a fun way to get engaged. Enjoy your engagement, it only happens once! I can’t wait to hear the details.
ps: My husband proposed to me in Sierraville. (Well, actually he proposed at home before we left for a weekend camping trip there. He was too nervous to wait!)
Awesome! LOVE your site and your travels and glad to see this guy finally snatched you up
EEeeee!
yayayay!
If you need ANY help with planning, I am your gal!
You’re getting MAAAARRRRRIIIIEEED!
Congratulations you two!! I can’t wait to hear the story.
It’s such a Californian way to get engaged! That’s what I love about it. You’re really putting down roots, lady.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Awwww! I was just reading along, thinking “Whoa, you were just a half an hour away from me!” (I live in Roseville, below Auburn) and then BAM! ENGAGED! Hooray! Congrats! Can’t wait to hear the story!
Congratulations Kristin and SVV! That is very exciting. Really happy for your Kristin. I’ll toast to your honor tonight in Hamburg.
That’s awesome. Congratulations!
YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!
Champagne for everyone!
I’m thrilled for you – congratulations! I can’t wait to hear how it went down. SVV couldn’t have picked a better location.
WOOOOOHOOOOOO!
I can’t wait to hear the whole story, and follow the journey. WOO!
Wowwie. What a vast and dramatic landscape! And a tale that will keep us all coming back in order to hear more!
Congrats, congrats, congrats! Can’t wait to see you and hear the whole story
You win. You always do. Congrats.
Wait . . . what?! UM, AWESOME!!! Congrats!!! I can’t wait to hear the whole story.
SQUEAL! You got engaged?! Can’t wait to hear all about it! Congrats to you two
HOORAY! love how you just threw that in there at the end.
Congratulations MRS. San Francisco Treat!!!! Feel free to use that on your save the dates. hehe. Cheers girl!!!
yay! congrats. i hadn’t yet read your blog post but saw your status on facebook and then was like hmmm…
fun trip and exciting outcome. yay! (again)
Oh I’m just looking so forward to the “i’m sooo pregnant” posts. Juuuuuuuuuuuust kidding!!
I totally love! (these pictures, yes! and) wandering around the house calling Chris “husband.” “Husband, will you make me eggs?” “Husband, where’s our suitcase?” He just cracks up laughing every time.
Here’s to happily ever after.
Congratulations!
Also: “His twig and berries shamelessly floated about like a couple of oversized Skittles on the International Space Station.” = HA!
That was awesome! It was like “photo, photo, trip, cows, more animals, camping, oh P.S. we’re getting married. The end!!
CONGRATS MY FRIEND!
Awesome way to spill the beans!
Many, many congrats!
(My fiance hates the word too, he thinks it sounds pretentious…but what can you do?)
Congratulations! Awesome reveal at the end there
I can’t wait to read all about it.
WHAT THE WHAT? Engaged! Congratulations!
Congrats!!! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story! Happy wedding planning!
Congratulations, just better make sure you have a say in planning the honeymoon. I try and avoid camping in the UK as it’s always rains when I try.
http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/camping-in-sunshine-and-showers-on-the-gower-in-wales/
Congratulations! This was a great post – really fun, and lots of good photos. And of course, you can’t go wrong with a surprise at the end like that. Am I right in guessing you made him wait months to propose to you by delaying the trip?
How about Photo Friday: MY ENGAGEMENT RING!
Yay – tres excited for you guys!
Can’t wait to hear the whole story, I’ll be right here, waiting. Congratulations! What a way to tell a story!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I wonder if he had planned to ask you on your birthday?
Congratulations!! Sounds like an awesome trip and I LOVED your Skittles reference! Hilarious!
GAAAAAAH! CONGRATULATIONS! I bet that photo only reveals a mere fraction of your bliss. I wish you both all the best!
Congratulations! Sounds like a perfect trip, and the last picture with the two of you all smiles is wonderful.
I also hate the word fiancé. It bothers me that there aren’t any suitable synonyms.
So damn happy for you two! Enjoy engagement. Enjoy marriage. Enjoy life. One thing’s for sure, you two will be a well-traveled married pair
Congrats!
Yay! Yay! Yay! Many congrats to you both!
Yaaaay!!! I’m so happy for you guys!! We need to get together so I can give you a hug!
And I second the Photo Friday suggestion.
Congratulations!!
Um. What! Congrats! Can’t wait to hear the story.
Congratulations!!! Talk about a buried lead. TEASE. I can’t wait to hear more.
As much as I’d like to take credit for anything Kristin does… unfortunately, I can’t. This also goes for the upcoming “event”. In the annals of wedding history, I will probably only be a pocketbook , so any offer of help should be directed to her! Thanks tho… and am I ever EXCITED!
Congratulations! How fun is that? What a wonderful trip! What a shame you didn’t take this trip months ago
oh. and how about calling him “my betrothed” would that be better than fiance? haha.
I am so happy for you!
I saw this on facebook but way to slip it in at the end there! And congratulations again! I’m so happy for you.
That is so wonderfully fantastic!! Congratulations! Great story, and great ending — looking forward to more details (and perhaps a picture of the ring???)
You know better than to bury the lede like that.
Delightful news. Couldn’t have happened to two nicer people.
Congrats! Sounds like a very relaxing weekend with an awesome surprise.
i told you this already, but YAYAYAYAYA!
big, fat smooches to you and THE FIANCE!
Engaging article, to say the least. Photos were a draw as well. Congratulations!
I’ll add my congratulations here!
Great story, although the image you conjured up in my head after describing the “twigs and berries” guy isn’t so appreciated
congratulations to both of you!
Congrats! I was reading along and had to re-read twice. Hooray! I’m as happy as a person can be when she doesn’t actually know either person involved but sometimes feels like she does because she reads along with every adventure. Good luck on the best adventure of all!
I know I’m very, very late, but wanted to send you a big CONGRATS!! I’m thrilled for you
Haha, can’t wait for the story! Congrats!
Waiting not-so-patiently for the story!! Can’t wait.
And, of course, CONGRATULATIONS!
Congrats!!! You’re the second Sewanee person this weekend to get engaged (that I know of)!
Whoa!! This is what I get for ignoring my feed reader for the long weekend. CONGRATULATIONS!!! So happy for you. Can’t wait to hear the story
squeee! engaged! I’m so excited for you!
Oh goodness! I didnt expect that at the end, holy cow that is EXCITING!!!! BEST WISHES! Can’t wait to read more about that! on the other note, hotsprings rock and I am psyched to know there are places in the US where clothing can be optional. If you ever get to Buena Vista, Colorado, there are some great hotsprings there. (I spent many many summers there)
Great story. Just think…he’d been sitting on it since February.
Wow! Way to slip the big news in at the end!! Congratulations to you and SVV!! That’s fantastic and I’m very excited the proposal story is coming soon!!
Oversized Skittles in the international space station…I like this!
Oh and yeah…umm, a BIG Congrats!