Hi...I'm going to be asking my girlfriend to marry me soon, and I want
to make sure I get everything right.  Her ideal setting for my
proposal is somewhere in the mountains (preferably during a
hiking/camping trip).  As a Virginia resident, this immediately means
to me somehwere in the Blue Ridge/Shenandoah Valley.  However, for
various reasons, this has to occur in mid-March 2005, which I believe
is probably a little too cold for a romantic camping trip.  I have
racked my brain trying to come up with an alternative but everything I
can think of is either too far away (i.e. very expensive plane tickets
-- the ring is setting me back enough) or has weather issues. 
Assuming you agree with my assessment of the weather in Virginia in
mid-March, can you think of any alternative spots for me?  Thank you
very much!

Hello vka2b-ga,

Congratulations on the engagement. I've found a few places that may
meet your needs. You could stay in a private cabin in the mountains,
to hike during the day, and cuddle by the fireplace at night and keep
warm.

"Little Schoolhouse Rentals - Damascus, Virginia
-A remodeled schoolhouse located in the foothills of Mt. Rogers -
highest peak in VA"

Rates:

    * $75.00 nightly
    * add $20 per stay for pets
    * $125 nightly on race weekend

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_damascus_010/va_damascus_lsr_010.html

------------------------------------------------------
"River Trail Cabins - Damascus, Virginia"

"These Grand-Room cabins provide everything you'll need to relax after
that day of activities in the mountains. All cabins come with a fully
furnished kitchen, dining area, enclosed bathroom with shower, Bedroom
area, living room area with 32" satellite TV, gas logs, Jacuzzi tub
for two and a back porch over-looking Laurel Creek and The Virginia
Creeper Trail. Just a short walk to the Appalachain Trail."

There's also winter activities such as skiing and ice skating

Rates:

    * $125.00 per night plus tax
    * 3 nights or more 100.00 per night plus tax
    * 7 night week 650.00 plus tax
    * Bristol Race weeks 250.00 per night (3 night minimum)plus tax
    * Call or email for other pricing options!

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_damascus_011/va_damascus_rtrail_011.html

------------------------------------------------

You may also want to check out...

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_stanley_002/va_stanley_skyline_002.html

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_mouthofwilson_005/va_mouthofwilson_rbows_005.html

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_shenandoah_002/va_shenandoah_treetop_002.html

http://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_whitetop_004/va_whitetop_hmc_004.html

Google Search:romantic virginia getaway mountains 
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c2coff=1&q=romantic+virginia+getaway+mountains&spell=1

If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Thanks for your well wishes and your response.  The reason I rated
this 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is that I essentially got the same
answer from a comment from another user.  I was expecting that since I
was actually paying for the answer from a researcher, it might be
something a little more unique than a list of the same type of
locations from a Google search.  But thank you for your suggestions!

How about a visit to Williamsburg? There are lots of charming,
romantic locations there.

http://www.history.org/

I grew up as a good ol' Virginia boy myself and my favorite spot in
the world is just west of you... atop of Seneca Rocks
http://www.seneca-rocks.com/
The hike isn't as grueling as the picture makes it look.  It's a
moderate sloped trail that winds up the mountain that takes no longer
than 90 minutes up(at a slow liesurely pace) and 45 minutes down. 
There is a beautiful overlook deck near the top of the mountain where
some hikers stop.  Then is a small amount of rock scrambling to get to
the very peak, but you're never hanging over a clift or anything.  And
I assure you the peak is something you'll never forget.

There are nice mildly rustic cabins very close to the mountain for
just over $100 per night.  Both the cabins and the mountain overlook
the North Fork River (nothing spectacular but it adds to the scenery
and the fishing if you're into that).
http://www.wvlogcabins.com/

The average high in Seneca for the month of March is 56F and the
average low is 29F.  A day hike is definately pleasant at 50F as long
as you can find an unrainy day.  And then you can stay warm by the
fire in your cabin at night.
http://www.weather.com/activities/other/other/weather/climo-monthly.html?locid=USWV0675

Seneca is 65 miles west of Harrisonburg on Route 33 (1 road the whole
way, but the road turns a couple times and you go over a couple
mountains so stay awake on the drive).

Best of luck to you 2 in your life together!

jack_of_few_trades,

Thank you so much for you suggestion -- that actually sounds like an
incredible idea (I really liked the description of those cabins on the
website).

If you don't mind, I just have 2 questions for you.  First off, how
many days do you think I can realistically spend there?  Is it the
kind of thing where pretty much 1 day and 1 night is all I'll need, or
is there enough to do/see so that I can stretch it out over a few
days?  Also, based on the Seneca website, it seems like a pretty
popular place...one thing I should have mentioned in my intial
description is that since I'm going to be popping the question, it
would be nice if there weren't many people around -- do you think if I
went in March it would be enough of an off-season so that it would be
relatively private?

Thanks again!

There isn't much to do there...  It's definately more of a getaway
kinda place.  I'd suggest 1 or 2 nights and hiking during your (more)
full day.  Take your time on the hike and carry lunch with you to eat
at the top.  There are some caverns close by that should be nice but I
haven't been there to say for sure.  The restaurant at the caverns
looks like a good place too.
http://www.senecacaverns.com/

I usually go there on weekdays and tend to see just a couple people. 
On a March weekday I'd guess you'd see between 10 and 20 people during
your hike and time at the top, the weekend brings alot more climbers
and hikers.  The peak is big enough that you won't be right next to
other people unless you choose to be.

vka2b, 

  This link might give you a few ideas on locations:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=396212

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to all who responded with their comments!

We will be expecing a $2 update by the end of March :)

jack_of_few_trades,

I've been trying to figure out what you meant by '$2 update' and since
I still don't understand, I thought I'd just ask?!!

vka2b

Sorry for the confusion...  I have my moments of terrible explainations.

I meant that you'll have to post a new "question" for $2 and give us
an update on how your proposal went.  Maybe you can even include a
wedding question in the post to get your money's worth :)

Pssst Vka2b,

Have you proposed yet?

Wow jack_of_all_trades -- such good timing!!  I am actually leaving in
about 1 hour for exactly where you recommended -- first to the cabins,
then to Seneca Rocks.  I will surely let you know how it goes!  Thanks
for following up!!

Fabulous!!  I hope you're having an amazing time as I type.

jack_of_all_trades,

Just got back -- first off, she said YES!  Secondly, you're a genius
-- Seneca Rocks was beautiful, but even more impressive to me were
those cabins you suggestd -- they were so beautiful, so clean, and so
romantic.  So much so in fact, that I decided to propose to her on the
deck at the back of one of the cabins because it just felt right.  One
interesting thing to note is that what we thought might ruin our trip
turned out to be a great stroke of luck due to the accomodating owners
of those cabins -- when we went into the cabin we rented, despite the
fact that it was really clean, cozy, etc., it was SWARMING with
ladybugs -- they were all over the bed, sinks, windows, kitchen, etc. 
The owners decided to put us in one of the family cabins instead, so
we got a huge cabin with an outdoor hotub and everything -- looking at
the stars at night while in the hotub was amazing!  Well, thanks again
for your suggestion -- this was a really special place and I owe it
all to you!

Congratulations Vka!! 

I'm so glad everything went so well.  Treat her the best you know how
for the rest of your lives, and I wish you 2 a truly splendid
marriage.