Feb 14

Happy Valentine’s Day!—Rock, Snow and Romance

The Delicate Arch means many things to many people, and for the young couple in this photo, it represents the beginning of a new chapter—the start of a new life.

Look closely at this image, and you’ll see a man on bended knee asking for his girl’s hand. Ryder-Walker guide Ken Fuhrer and his guests stopped to admire the view during our Arches & Canyonlands hiking tour when the two hikers appeared and the guy suddenly went down on one knee.

It is no surprise that this gentleman picked the Delicate Arch to profess his love. The scenery alone is enough to make a person melt, with the red Entrada sandstone contrasting perfectly against the white, snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains.

When we look at this image, however, we see more than just a good view. We see harmony and the joining of two parts to create a more perfect whole.

It may not seem apparent at first glance, but the Delicate Arch actually consists of two parts. Red Entrada sandstone forms the base and pillars of the arch, while rock from the Curtis Formation makes up the bridge. A long time ago, there was no arch, only layers of sand and muck. The layers eventually fused, and today, sculpted, weathered and eroded by time, the formations endure, creating a unique whole and something beautiful for all the world to enjoy.

We don’t know what happened to the couple in this photo, but we hope that their relationship, like the Delicate Arch, stands the test of time and leads to something special. We wish the same for our blog readers too. Wherever you are, and whomever you’re with, we wish you love in the great outdoors, and an infinite world of possibilities.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

You Might Also Like...
Preparing for a multi-day trek in the mountains goes beyond just putting on your boots
Once a rugged mining town tucked away in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado,
For Those Who Love a Great Trail and an Even Better Glass of Wine There’s
There is nothing better than going for a swim in the ocean after a full
Food and Drink Pairings: Our Favorites from the Alps To celebrate spring, Ryder-Walker wants to
Think you know the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc route like the back of your
Ease into your next hiking trip with Ryder-Walker Picture yourself wandering through lavender fields in
Join Ryder-Walker for an unforgettable journey through Morocco’s Atlas Mountains from October 9-18, 2025, where
Discovering the best inn-to-inn hiking has been Ryder-Walker’s ambition for decades now. We, like you,
Mini-Treks: Big Adventures in Short Getaways At Ryder-Walker, we’ve handpicked a collection of mini-treks that
In the summer of 1975, Peter Walker’s journey into the Alps began with a sense
Our Favorite Lesser Known Hiking Trips That Avoid Crowds Are you looking for a unique,