How it all began
“I She stood on a dusty mound in Randsburg, sunlight cutting across her like a sign I almost missed. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would reroute the whole map of my life.”
— Dickson
“TBD”
— Amanda
Amanda and Dickson
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Our story began with a serendipitous meeting in a dusty, nondescript lot in the middle of nowhere—otherwise known as Randsburg, California. This quiet patch of earth served as the rendezvous point for Western Trails and Wilderness Camping’s Eastern Sierra overland sampler. It was meant to be a simple 4x4 and camping excursion, a weekend of navigating rugged trails and sleeping under the twinkling stars. Little did we know that what started as a desert to mountain expedition was about to transform into the ride of our lifetimes!
While the MeetUp group assembled among the rigs and gear, Amanda’s Prince Charming rolled in—not on a horse, but behind the wheel of a white Jeep Rubicon named Starlight. Surveying the scene with a watchful eye was Amanda, the group’s latest addition, joined by her ever-faithful sidekick, Mojave (woof!).
The initial sparks may have been ignited in the California dust, but the true slow-burn began months later as we crossed state lines into the rugged beauty of Arizona’s KOFA National Wildlife Refuge. Under the vast, obsidian sky, the roar of engines gave way to the crackle of a campfire. Between sips of wine and hours of deep conversation that stretched long into the desert night, a new shared passion emerged: archery.
It didn't take long for Dickson to realize he was aiming for more than just a bullseye. He was so "struck" by the experience that he famously traded the next off-roading excursion for the chaos of Black Friday—not for Jeep parts this time, but to gear up with his very own bow.
By the time December arrived, the rugged wilderness of the Sierras felt like a distant memory as we transitioned to the manicured ranges of Oranco Bowmen. What started as a simple introductory class quickly evolved into a season of friendly competition at archery tournaments. Between the thrill of the hunt and the magic of the holidays, our "sampler" trip had officially become a permanent expedition. We traded trail maps for romantic dinners, falling completely in love while spinning to Christmas music, and realizing that, while we both loved the ride, we had finally found our favorite destination in each other.
The Paws Who Paved the Way: Mojave & Sierra
No story of "Us" is complete without the four-legged friends who guided our path.
Mojave, Amanda’s loyal Husky/Australian Shepherd mix, was the silent witness to our first meeting in Randsburg. At nearly 15 years old and facing a cancer diagnosis, he joined that July expedition with a spirit that refused to quit. He was there to vet the "Prince Charming" in the white Jeep, ensuring Amanda was in good hands before he peacefully passed away just three weeks later. We like to think he knew his mission was complete.
In 2024, our pack grew once more with the arrival of Sierra. Born on the 4th of July, our spirited firecracker of a Golden Retriever, was named in honor of the Eastern Sierra mountains where our journey first began. Sierra carries the torch Mojave left behind. While Mojave saw the spark, Sierra is here for the fire—joining us on every new trail, archery tournament, and campout as we head toward the biggest adventure of all: marriage!
