We eloped!

❤︎ After nearly nine years together, we decided it was time to tie the knot! We were working on a wedding plan in the hopes of celebrating with our loved ones, but due to COVID-19 there was no safe way to gather everyone in the near future. We didn't want to wait, so we eloped! We wanted to backpack somewhere in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Emigrant Wilderness was a great choice because it was new for both of us. We asked our dear friend Spencer Montgomery to be our officiant, and he gladly agreed! The three of us embarked on a 34 mile loop trail in granite high country. Our adventure brought us to numerous lakes, granite mountains, blooming wild flowers, sunsets, and panoramic views. On day three, we took a break from hiking and explored the Wire Lakes. We spent the morning relaxing and swimming, and then meandered to the top of a nearby mountain. We had a small ceremony and exchanged vows with an amazing view of Emigrant Wilderness. It was a beautiful experience that we all cherish. On our final night in the backcountry we camped with a view of Bell Mountain. Watching the sunset over Bell Mountain was the perfect end to a wonderful trip. ❤︎ Life is complex. Our trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains was a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm one of the simple things we do know... That we love, respect, trust, and admire each other as partners, and look forward to our next chapter, and what the story holds. ❤︎ - Skyla - I've been called Skyla Belle my whole life. My parents would sing 🎶 "She's our little Skyla Belle, and we love her so!" 🎶 The nickname stuck, and now I'm officially a Bell! - Ryan - One of my dreams since childhood was to get married on top of a mountain. Little did I know that one day I would get married at 9,000ft!