I have been dating my girlfriend for nearly 3 years now and here incessant nagging has finally worn me down. Just kidding! So I love the woman and I am planning on proposing to her in later September (I work in minor leauge baseball...a mostly seasonal job). For the life of me I cannot figure out the best place to propose to her. I can tell you she loves waterfalls, so that is my biggest lead. The obvious choice, Hawaii, is a bit out of my range financially. Any thoughts on the best waterfall off the beaten path here on the continental US to propose at? Keep in mind I am not looking for a mega-waterfall...nothing anywhere near Niagara Falls. Seclusion and beauty are far more imortant than size. I would GREATLY APPRECIATE some informed opinions/ideas!!!You see, if I don't do it right, she might say NO (ha! yeah right!). Thanks, and feel free to post back!

Have you thought about Yosemite samsaba? Of course I have no idea where you live so that might not be practical. Why don't you post back here and give an idea of what part of the US you are interested in. And I am sure she will accept. BTW, are you planning on staying in the minor leagues?

Yosemite is what came to mind too.

-Bill

Hi Bill, well you know what they say about great minds, lol! But I guess it does depends somewhat where in the US samsaba lives and how far he wants to travel. But Yosemite is certainly beautiful.

Samsaba -

I don't know where you're located, but if you're somewhere fairly central I've got a pretty offbeat idea for you:

The North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota.

I know, you've probably never heard of the area in reference to tourism. But trust me, it's beautiful - like California's Pacific Coast highway in a northern kind of way. And September, particularly early in the month, is perfect timing.

Waterfalls cascade down into Lake Superior along more than 100 miles of shoreline. The road has spectacular views of both Lake Superior and the falls. Rocky cliffs, wooded shoreline, lots of top-notch resorts (they host muckety-mucks from Chicago and Minneapolis, along with countless honeymooners), trails, and did I mention the rocky cliffs and waterfalls, and the sweeping views of Lake Superior?

If this holds any interest for you at all, drop me a line or post here. I can hook you up with lots of details on places to see, stay and eat.

Both of my sons proposed to their now wives in Yosemite and my nephew is going to keep the tradtion going.

Pick a weekday instead of a weekend in Yosemite in September and there shouldn't be to many people around.

Utahtea

Well . . . .,

I propoxed to my wife on the corner of 27th and 2nd (Manhattan). Not a special spot before that moment, but it'll stay with me the rest of my life.

I guess my point is that romance comes from within, so anywhere you pick will be the right spot.

That said . . . ,

How about Death Valley? No really!

Jim

You work in minor league baseball, I assume you aspire to work in the majors. How about Kaufmann Stadium in KC?

Topping for our romantic baseball player.

Every time I've been to a Durham Bulls game (AAA Tampa Bay Devilrays affiliate) there is ALWAYS a marriage proposal on the scoreboard.

If you're with the Durham Bulls or Charlotte Knights, or even the Richmond Braves, I recommend one of the waterfalls in western NC. Go to the visitwaterfalls website (not sure if it's a .com or .org or .net) and plan your trip.

Stay in lovely Portland Oregon and drive the Columbia Gorge to Multnomah Falls. It's a very nice falls.

http://trips.stateoforegon.com/multnomah_falls/

You can also go to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon which has 10 falls along 4 of which you can walk behind. It's a beautiful place. Here's a link:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php

In Northern California near the citites of Mt. Shasta and McCloud is the beautiful Burney Falls.

http://www.burneyfalls.com/pages/burnyfls.html

I couldn't agree with you more zooey91!
And don't you think your wife still gets a little smile all to herself every time she passes 27th and 2nd, trust me, she does.

Samsaba, I think the most romantic thing in the world is when a woman is ACTUALLY surprised.

Then you can whisk her away to that waterfall. Having her say, "I had no idea", will be so romantic verses anything else.

Keep that ring with you and let the moment take you away!

Wake her up in the middle of the night...... get down on one knee after buying her an ice cream.... Sit with her on a park bench... show up at her place of employment unannounced.

Be spontaneous! Wherever the place, it will be romantic!

Have fun! Tiff

I think you should propose to her on the fodors board. We've never had a real marriage proposal here. I'm not even sure if we've budded a romance.

There's a lovely waterfall, the only one in the state, outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico. It's Sitting Bull Falls.

We visited several lovely waterfalls while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. While most were fairly small, the setting was beautiful.

Whichever you decide, good luck and congratulations!

Tracy

I have a question - how can someone be taken by suprise with a marriage proposal? If a couple is to that point in their relationship that they are thinking of getting married, wouldn't they have talked about it already? Wouldn't the proposee know the proposal is close at hand?

Gosh! Sooo many replies and so many good ideas. Let me try to respond to everyone that asked a question.

I live in Michigan but anywhere in the continental US is no problem.

I do plan to stay in the minor leagues. I am not a player but I work in the front office. I actually don't want to work in the major leagues because you get pigeon-holed into just one duty and the major leagues don't have a sense of humor...you can be so much more creative in the minor leagues!

The North shore of lake superior in Minnesota? The way you describe it, it sounds like Pictured Rocks state park in Michigan's UP...ever been there? Are there any particular towns you suggest up there? I would like to look into that a little more. It certainly is "off the beaten path".

Awesome waterfall reference Ryan (Kaufman Stadium). I don't think she would dig it though.

All excellent ideas folks! I think I have the candidates narrowed down to Yoesmite, Northern Minn (intruiging), and the Pacific Northwest (Olympic National Park). As most of you agree, setting really doesn't matter but I might as well make it one she will REALLY like. Thanks all! Feel free to keep posting ideas even if they are contrary to my top 3! I am also taking more input on my top 3!

Baby, it doesn't matter - it really doesn't. Just ask!

Won't the waterfalls be dry in Yosemite in September? They were when I visited at that time of year several years ago.
The North Shore in Minnesota has some very pretty waterfalls....Gooseberry Falls is one that I can recommend, not too far from Duluth. I also would recomend Olympic National Park...the rain forest was quiet magical & I remember some very nice small waterfalls.

Samsaba -

You need to start in Duluth, which admittedly has a bad rap, but doesn't deserve it. It's a pretty cosmopolitan town for a small city -- probably a function of being both an international port and a longtime refuge for free-thinkers, artists and other interesting types.

Then, drive north on the North Shore drive (Hwy. 61), right along the water. There are numerous places to stop,

Dang! Slip of the mouse. I hate it when I do that.

Anyway, as you travel toward Canada on the North Shore drive, you'll pass at least 6 major waterfalls and lots of little ones.

Gooseberry Falls State Park is a highlight, as is Temperance River Cascades & State Park. But remember, you'll see lots of impressive waterfalls just outside your car window.

I'd have to say my vote for the place to pop the question is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park & Historical Center, about 48 miles from Duluth and 20 miles from Two Harbors. Do a Google for images and you'll see why. Here's a sample: www.claymera.com/ split-rock-lighthouse.jpg


There are lots of good places to eat. My favorite, if you should make it all the way up to Grand Marais, is the Angry Trout. In Duluth, Fitger's comes highly recommended, but I can't vouch for it myself.

My recommendations for lodging are probably irrelevant for you - I mostly head north to canoe camp, so when I need a hotel, I'm primarliy interested in the shower (because it's generally the first one I've had in a week). But Bluefin Bay near Tofte is said to be very posh (and from what I've seen, it should live up to that reputation), Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas and has been popular since Sinatra was on the charts, etc., etc., etc. You can also find dozens of B&B's, rent private homes, etc.

As a starting point, hit northshorevisitor.com, www.exploreminnesota.com and www.61north.com.

There are many other sites dedicated to tourism in this area as well.

If you need more specific info, let me know. And good luck!