We are always up for a few days at a cabin or small family fishing resort, etc. when we travel. Nothing over $150 /night, and cheaper would be great. but it is not easy to find a really special one.. kind of hit or miss without a recommendation.

This summer we will be in the williamsburg area for several days at a reunion, and would like to go someplace within 6-8 hours drive in any direction and do a loop for another 5-7 days.

Next year we plan to do the same in california.. so.. please list some of your favorite spots.. i thought anywhere.. to help others, too, and not be restricted to our two destinations.

thanks in advance!

In California, the northern gold country sounds like it is just what you are looking for - along Hwy 49 in the vicinity of Downieville and Sierra City. Plenty of places where you can rent cabins. The Yuba river is there along with dozens of lakes.

If you want rustic, look no further than northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. The area within 60 miles of Lake Superior is some of the quietest, most peaceful place you'll ever see. On the Minnesota side, anywhere around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area can be spiritual and calming.

My favorite lodges are on the Gunflint Trail. A google search will pull up a few of them.

Major activities up there include fishing, hiking, thinking, daydreaming, and talking (if you are with someone). A great getaway if you're looking for rustic.

One of my most vivid memories of total relaxation and "getting away from it all" was a weekend of canoeing on the Au Sable River in Michigan in October.

the gunflint, itself, has been recommended to me by a minnesota friend. i hope we do get up there again one day to try it out.

anyone have any ideas in the east..pennsylvania, or south of there, virginia?

thanks for the exact names of the resorts.

neo patrick.. was your canoe trip "guided" or did you just go on your own?

Maybe North Fork Inn in West Virginia....Seems to fit around your budget.

http://northforkmountaininn.com/index.php

Have you taken a look at the state parks in Md, PA, and WV? Lots of them have rustic cabins and lodges in beautiful settings.

Here's another suggestion for a quiet and laid back place. Tangier is an island in the Chesapeake that's only accessible by boat.

http://tangierisland-va.com/bvi/inn/

Check out the Chestnut Creek Cabins on the New River Trail in Virginia. Super clean, no tv/etc, great walking and biking area.

if you ever decide to try maine take a look at the moosehead lake/greenville area. great fishing. very laid back. very beautiful.

The area around Pendleton County, WV and Highland County, Va are about the most beautiful you can find. The Highland County Chamber of Commerce site has some links that fit your budget:

http://www.highlandcounty.org/lodge.htm

Hocking Hills, Ohio. Cabins in the woods with hot tubs at most all of them. Great hiking. http://www.heartofhocking.com/

thank you so much so far.

keep em coming! i assume there must be some beautiful places in the hills of pennsylvania. anyone have any suggestions?

Many Kentucky state parks are located on lakes, and we have quite nice ones. Cabins are available, or you can rent houseboats.

I can't think of a better area within your driving distance than Smith Lake area near Roanoke. Give it a look.