The Proposal Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

Nomex: No response from owner. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

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Hidden : 4/12/2007
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Alternate Working Title: Billy and Daphne's Engagement Cache

After a week or two of exchanging emails and phone calls... On April 9, 2006, Daphne and Billy (and Panza and Dingo) finally meet, in this very park. Neither of us really knew what to expect, or how we'd hit it off in person - but we had a great time exploring the bulb, finding a couple caches (of course), and then we sat down on a rock and chilled out for a while, having a nice long talk.

At the end of our first (hours long) date, we parted ways with a hug. We would meet up later that week at Jupiter's for drinks - and kissing! The next weekend, it was dinner, and last-minute tax prep, driving around just before midnight trying to find an open post office, ending up in West Oakland.

Fast-forward (and I mean FAST!) a year: We've traveled to Mendocino (for Daphne's birthday in May) Sedona, Atlanta, Catalina, North Carolina, Oregon, Indiana, Tahoe (lots), and had countless adventures right here in the Bay Area.

So - I knew it was time. I took a day off work, went and picked up the ring, an ammo can, and headed back out to the bulb, where we first met. I spent a LONG time that day trying to find just the right spot - trying to being mindful of the other caches out here. I found a few okay hiding spots, but none where I would want to 'pop the question'. I wanted a great view, some seating, and not TOO difficult of terrain... So I finally settled on this spot. I think it's a good one. So I hide the well-stocked cache, return home, and then continue working on the details of my devious plan.



The date is April 22, 2007: Daphne has a hectic day, with long meetings at work, a trip into SF to pick up her passport... and got home later than I had hoped/expected. Then, she spent some time on the phone wishing her step-father Happy Birthday - THEN started in on dinner. I was hoping to get her out on the bulb in daylight hours (figuring my odds of convincing her to 'come along' were higher) - but the timing just didn't work out.

We were finally finishing up dinner, and I decided to 'pull the trigger'. I sent myself a text message via email, and when my Blackberry went off, I grabbed it, and said: "Hey, there's a new cache out there". I picked up my computer, and pretended to look it up. "It's close - maybe out on the Albany bulb? C'mon, let's GO!!"

That's when the challenge really began. Daphne was in NO mood for FTF chasing this evening - she just wanted to enjoy a glass of wine, watch Gray's Anatomy, and get ready for bed. I really had to coax her: I played both the dog walk card, AND the exercise card - and told her how I really wanted her to come along. Of course, I didn't want to be TOO obvious: I feared she was already suspicious as I was wearing pants, and a button down shirt.

As she tells the story, begrudgingly, she agreed to accompany me. By this point, it was about 8:30pm, and we were definitely going to miss Gray's Anatomy - but she still agreed. More panic as she was asking about the description, terrain rating, access hours - I hadn't gone to the extent of actually mocking all this stuff up, so I bluffed my way through it, hoping my answers were convincing. We loaded the dogs up in the new Camry hybrid, and headed to the bulb.

I could tell she was a bit annoyed - she says as much when re-telling the story. We arrived, and started off towards the cache - power walking. We made good time out and around the bulb. As we passed by the spot where we sat and got to know each other on our first date, I pointed it out (I considered making this cache a multi, or puzzle, with that as the first stage - but there are a lot of caches out here to contend with ). We pressed on - only slowing down a bit when the footing got a bit trickier. Terrain rating may vary a bit based on your specific approach - we took the scenic route.

So, we finally arrive at the spot - and I could see that Daphne wasn't particularly interested, nor helping with the search. So... I "found" the cache, retrieved it, and opened it up.

"Hey, check it out - there's some cool stuff in here! Let's see: a Jeep travel bug, a cool geocoin... what's this?" I handed over the ring box, asking her what it was. She opened it, and...

Began crying. She was floored. It was then that I asked:
"Daphne - will you marry me? I want to spend the rest of my life with you: grow old together, holding hands. I want to be your partner, your friend, and lover." I went on a bit from there.

She accepted.

I put the ring on her finger, then we sat, crying at times, laughing, and soaking up the amazing views of the bay: the lights of the downtown San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate, Sausalito, the Bay Bridge. It was a crystal-clear night, not too cold, not too windy. We stayed for awhile, savoring the moment - then finally decided to head home. It was a more 'relaxed' walk back to the car, and I don't think she was annoyed, anymore.

As she tells her friends and family: Of course, my proposal was 'caching related', and a total surprise. I was a bit nervous about pulling it all together - and there were a couple points in time where I didn't think it was going to work out - but ultimately, it all came together perfectly. Not precisely as planned - but that, in and of itself, was perfect. Life is never exactly what you plan. So, now this spot can give all of YOU a smile, as well. Come on out, enjoy this beautiful spot, and know that history was made at this very location, at approximately 2045 on the day this cache was placed.

Please be VERY careful in retrieving and replacing this cache - as it's a fairly exposed location, and I really want this one to last. Re-hide it exactly as found, ensuring it's well out of sight -- and we'll just see how it goes.

Enjoy -- I sure did!

Geocachers of the Bay Area

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Xavtugf jub fnl "Av"!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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