Melissa Bowden and Damian Lanctot were married Aug. 16 in the first such event to be held at the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area.
"This typically would not be your wedding location of choice," said Chief Ranger John Vallet. "But these two met here, spent a lot of time here and have a big connection to four-wheeling."
Vallet noted that the wedding booked the Hollister Hills campground, which other groups have used in the past for family reunions and company picnics.
Sister of the groom, Nikkie Lanctot, believes that the unusual location was perfect for the wedding.
"Hollister Hills is where they met, and spent so much time together and fell in love," she said.
Both Lanctot and Vallet said the bride and groom have a strong connection with the four-by-four community and that it was evident at the wedding.
"It was a short ceremony and right after, the couple, wedding party and friends headed for the mud pits in their insanely big trucks to take pictures," said Lanctot.
Before and after the wedding, everyone enjoyed off-roading and camping on the 800-acre area set aside for four-by-four enthusiasts.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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