Andrews Bald. Charlie’s Bunion.

Sometimes places in the Smokies can sound like medical issues people face.

Well, a bald in the Smokies is just a mountain meadow. No trees grow there, hence it’s “bald.”

But back in 1929, Horace Kephart went up to survey damage left by a storm. He was accompanied by a moiuntain guide, Charlie Conner. This area of the Smokies is some rough terrian; in fact, Kephart had described it as “so rough that you could not make seven miles a day in it to save your life.” When the two men reached this point, Charlie showed his buddy the sore spot on his foot, to which Kephart said,"I'm going to get this put on a Government map for you."

And so he did. And now, Charlie’s Bunion is one of the more popular hikes in the Smokies - and one of the hardest. It is an 8.1-mile round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 1,640’, and done at an elevation of 6,122’, meaning the oxygen in the air is not as rich as it is down in Gatlinburg. It is listed as a ”strenuous hike.”

But what’s a little sweat when the end result will be some magic?

I belong to the group Smoky Mountain Photographers. We are professional photographer who also hold Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) from the National Park Service that allows us to photograph clients in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A few days ago, the call went out to the group: a young man needed a photographer willing to climb to Charlie’s Bunion and photograph his wedding proposal to his beloved. In two days. Last minute. And it was last minute because he had contacted another photographer who agreed, then bailed on him citing the excursion to be “logistically impossible.”

Grrrr. No one who is planning a moment as important as this needs that to happen and I am sorry Michael had to go through that stress. After exchanging several emails, Michael and I had a plan how this was going to happen. Details are important in these situations.

Michael: “We’ll be camping in Elkmont.”

Me: “Wait, you’re camping?”

Michael: “Yeah.”

Me: “Make sure that ring is well hidden, in case she needs to get something from your pack.”

Michael: “No sweat - I got it hidden in a sock . . .”

Saturday morning came and it was go time. I headed north on the Appalachian Trail ahead of Michael and Andrea.

I knew it wouldn’t be an easy hike, not with a pack full of glass and optics. I had to bring two camera bodies and two lenses, “just in case” of that unpredictable moment a shutter on a camera decides to crap out - I couldn’t “run back to the car” for another. And, like every trail in the Smokies, it was mostly rocks and roots, with the rare occasion of a stretch of level dirt.

But what a beautiful day! The sun was shining, the temperature was warm, but not hot - in short, it was a great day for a hike and was going to get even better.

Two hours later, I arrived at Charlie’s Bunion. As I expected, there was a group of hikers present. No problem, I addressed the group and you know, most people are good at heart - everyone agreed to keep an eye out for Andrea and Michael (miraculously, along the trail my cellphone managed to get a few seconds of reception where Michael sent me a text of what they were wearing) and to move out of the way when they arrived. Folks were excited - how cool is it to witness a marriage proposal at nearly 6200’?

Before long, our happy couple arrived. People casually sauntered off the Bunion, then got into place to watch this unfold . . .

Michael led Andrea up on the rock. It seems in their courtship, he would write poems for her. The last time she asked for one, he told her he would write her a special one for their Smokies trip. Along the way up, Michael had pretended to “find” a rock that he wanted to keep as a souvenir. He pulled out the rock and recited his special poem to Andrea:

This will be your favorite poem yet.

On that, I am willing to bet.

Not because it follows a beautiful hike,

But because in my bag there is something you’ll like.

Remember that rock I picked up on the trail? It’s very unusual, with one hell of a tale.

No ordinary story of heat and pressure.

This one has secrets we will discover together.

On top it looks broken. Maybe long-term corrosion?

But what’s on the bottom...? A compartment to open?! My heart is now racing; let us see what’s inside!

I love these adventures with you by my side!

I need you, best friend, for the rest of my life. I need you without end, as my future wife.

Now it’s time to get down on one knee.

Love of my life, will you marry me?!

Well, hell’s bells - what do you think she said?

Cheers all around and congratulations abound!

What a sweet couple! Andrea and Michael are Miami natives, and both attended the University of Texas (hook ‘em, horns!). Being outdoors is their passion; in fact, the day before the hike to Charlie’s Bunion, these insane people hiked to the top of Mount LaConte and back - some 11 miles!

We stayed a short time at the top to do a quick photoshoot (andto take the time for some water and nutrients).

We started back down to the parking lot at Newfound Gap, taking the time to stop for more pictures along the way.

Andrea: “Stephanie, I haven’t showered in two days!”

Me: “No sympathy fro m me - you still look gorgeous!”

Speaking of gorgeous, I would say Michael did one fine job picking out a ring for Andrea. In fact, one of the other hikers at Charlie’s Bunion even remarked, “Girl, I saw that sparkle all the way over here!”

What a hike but what a story! Here’s to a beautiful couple, Andrea and Michael! May their future together be a happy one - and I expect it will be because they have shown that no matter how hard the trail may be, they are willing to go it together. Hiking can be hard. There are obstacles to overcome and sometimes you have to really pull from within to grab the stamina to continue on. And patience - you only get to where you are going step by step. I think their mutual love of the hike will prove to be an apt metaphor for their marriage.

UPDATE

A huge thank you to Mariel Oswald, part of a group where one of the fellows caught the proposal on his phone, which she forwarded to me. Here, in living color, is the proposal!

Are you getting ready to pop the question? Let’s talk about it!