I want to ask my girlfriend to marry me.  I live near Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania and I am trying to find a great place to ask her
outdoors.  She loves nature so I was thinking of doing it on a hike. 
Since I am new to the area, I know of hiking in the area, but nothing
that stands out as something that is truely memmorable.  I thought of
2 places, a picnic in the middle of no where near a waterfall at
Ricketts Glen State Park and somewhere at Long Wood Gardens to pop the
question but they are both about a 2 hour drive.  Unfortunately I
can't travel too far, because we aren't sleeping together till
marriage and that limits us to just a day trip.  So I guess my
question is, are these the best nature places in the area to porpose? 
And if so then are there specific areas in each that are more romantic
and meant for proposing?  If I do propose during a hike, then is a
picnic too much or too cumbersome?  I just want to make this day
really special for her and at the same time I don't want her to see it
coming at all!  I really appreciate any help that you can give me!

Hi mpg136,

Thank you for your question.  

There's a place within your area that is the perfect romantic nature
setting.  Nature, hiking trails, a lake, birds, wildflowers, animals,
along with benches and tables for your picnic!

Wildwood Lake Sanctuary and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
serve the greater Harrisburg area.  There are 7 nature trails with
benches and picnic tables throughout - but no food is available - so a
picnic is perfect!  The area has one grill set up near the lake. 
There is no admission charge for entry to either the sanctuary or
nature center, and it's open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Dauphin County Parks & Recreation - Wildwood Lake Sanctuary and the
Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
http://dsf.pacounties.org/dauphin/cwp/view.asp?a=1167&q=444580&dauphinNav=%7C27020%7C

Wonderful wildlife diversity is found at Wildwood due to a mixture of
open lake, streamside, wetland, forest and meadow. Wildwood is home to
over 150 species of birds and abundant plant and animal life. The
American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), a Pennsylvania endangered species,
thrives in Wildwood Lake. A restored meadow abounds with wildflowers
that engage both flower lovers and a variety of butterfly species.


Wildwood Lake Sanctuary
http://www.wildwoodlake.org/

Click on Quick Links left side of page for:  Directions, Hours, Map of Lake.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania, Wildwood
Lake Sanctuary is conveniently located on the edge of Harrisburg, PA.

Wildwood Lake Sanctuary and Olewine Nature Center is located just
north of Harrisburg Area Community College off Industrial Road, 100
Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Directions:
http://pa.audubon.org/directionstowildwood.htm


http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/wildwood/wildwood1.htm


Hike for Health
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/info/hikeforhealth/03wildwoodlake.htm

Description of Nature Trails
http://dsf.pacounties.org/dauphin/cwp/view.asp?A=1167&Q=465083

 
=========

Your Romantic Picnic:

The secret of a successful picnic is simplicity, plus careful planning and packing.

5 Rules for a Perfect (Romantic) Picnic 
http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking/mp/outdoordining/article/0,13803,231257-231283,00.html
 
These tips will help you keep focus on what's important -- your picnic companion. 
   
1. Rule out any foods that are soupy, sappy, or drippy; skip anything
that might get soggy, limpy, or wimpy. (The same rule applies for
selecting a companion.)

2. Pick food that requires only one utensil--or better yet--food that
requires no utensils. (Don't worry about using your fingers, and keep
up the eye contact!)

3. Choose foods that require the least amount of fuss or assembly once
at your site. (Meddling with multiple zip-top plastic bags and pesky
pop-tops takes your mind off the mood you're trying to create.)

4. Chill out by picking dishes that taste good cold. 

5. Be prepared a day ahead. 


Tips for a successful picnic:
http://www.s4c.co.uk/dudley/e_picnics_tips.shtml 
 
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/info/hikeforhealth/03wildwoodlake.htm 

=========

Background information on Wildwood Lake Sanctuary: 

Wildwood Park was established by the City of Harrisburg in 1901 as
part of the "City Beautiful" movement. The history of Wildwood
includes a period of intense recreation through the 1920s, 30s and 40s
with a zoo, riding stables and boating opportunities both winter and
summer. Today, as you hike along the Tow Path Trail that follows a
segment of the Pennsylvania Canal, you are transported back to an
important time in Harrisburg history. Through the years Wildwood has
become a nature study area with trails and boardwalks traversing four
separate habitat areas and a haven for nature lovers and exercise
enthusiasts.

Wonderful wildlife diversity is found at Wildwood due to a mixture of
open lake, streamside, wetland, forest and meadow. Wildwood is home to
over 150 species of birds and abundant plant and animal life. The
American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), a Pennsylvania endangered species,
thrives in Wildwood Lake. A restored meadow abounds with wildflowers
that engage both flower lovers and a variety of butterfly species.

Over 6 miles of trail traverse Wildwood and many of the trails are
wheelchair accessible. Two boardwalks bring visitors up-close and
personal with the wetland community just inches below the walkway.
Bird blinds, benches and spotting scopes make these areas perfect for
wildlife observation and nature photography.

Wildwood is a proud segment of the Capital Area Greenbelt, a
developing 20-mile trail around Harrisburg linking parks and open
spaces.

Wildwood Lake Sanctuary is open every day from sunrise to sunset. The
parking lots close at 6:00 PM from October 1 through March 31 and at
8:30PM from April 1 through September 30.

CONTACT INFORMATION  

Mailing address: 
Wildwood Lake Sanctuary
100 Wildwood Way
Harrisburg, PA  17110
 
Telephone: 717-221-0292
FAX:  717-221-0318
E-mail: wwstaff@dauphinc.org

=========

Best regards and Good Luck to you!
tlspiegel

I don't live there, but drive around and pick something you know she
like. Believe me, it'll be less about the exact location, and more
about the engagement itself. See if you can set up something romantic.

That is a great idea, except for maybe driving two hours or even one
hour back afterwards, at least in my humble opinion.  Seems like a
kind of mundane follow up, and worse, if you are not absolutely sure
that she is going to immediately say "yes".  If she does say yes,
maybe it works, maybe with her telling "the world" on her cell phone
or you making plans for the wedding.  If she demures, (you've
surprised her, and you aren't sleeping together, so she might feel
that it is simply appropriate not to agree immediately - I hope not! 
But you will know if this could be a consideration.) where was I?
If she demures, ... well, I wouldn't want to be in the situation of
having to carry on a conversation for so long then.
Just a thought.  (We rushed down to the all night window and sent
telegrams to our parents oeverseas.)
Good luck  :-)

There's nowhere quite like Three Mile Island for an unforgettable - oh, never mind.