Kevin and Eleesa | Yankee Boy Basin Proposal and Engagement and 4×4 adventure
Savannah Chandler Photography | Ouray Engagement Photographer
Kevin had reached out to me letting me know he wanted to propose to Eleesa on one of his favorite 4×4 trails in the San Juan Mountains. If you’ve ever been to Yankee Boy Basin, you know why it’s on the top of many off-roading lists, the views are phenomenal and the trails are world class.
I always ask the proposing partner if they have a vision for the proposal – am I involved or hiding behind a bush/pretending to be a landscape photographer until the big moment. He wanted Eleesa to be wearing specific clothes, so he told her that he wanted to book photos…. OF HIS JEEP. Her friends were in on the gig too. And once they pulled up and I saw all the offroading badges on the doorframe, I knew that it was indeed a good rouse. Eleesa came to the mountains thinking her boyfriend brought her along on a car photo shoot 🥸
When we were planning everything out, I told Kevin to have a keyword to let me know when to go into “Tour Guide” mode and start pointing out the names of the surrounding peaks. This is where the mountain geek in me comes in handy – I do indeed know all the surrounding peak names, their general altitudes, and what makes them all unique. Luckily, in this basin, there’s 2 unique peaks named Coffee Pot and Tea Kettle mountains (and you can see where the pour spout is on Tea Kettle). I figured that those names were cool and funky enough to divert her attention to the distance while Kevin got down on one knee. Our plan worked out flawlessly. I mean, I’d be wondering why the heck someone named a peak Coffee Pot. Side note – I REALLY REALLY want to hike Tea Kettle Peak – one of these days I’ll share my spicy hike from up there.
After Eleesa said YES, we spent some time wandering around the Twin Falls area and exploring all the wildflowers that were already in bloom. This year was so wildly different than any other I’ve ever experienced in Colorado – by mid-June all the flowers were already blooming even at high altitudes.
Congratulations again, Kevin and Eleesa! I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how many amazing 4×4 roads you end up taking in your future.
Cheers-
