Chocolate, flowers, candy, plush stuffed animals, and romantic dinners are definitely the buzz words this week. With Valentine’s Day on the 14th, you are probably either giving or hoping to get something special from your Valentine this year. But what if you have grown tired of the same gifts year after year? Perhaps you are just looking to spice things up a bit. I have a great idea for you.
Surprise that special someone with a day trip this weekend. You can print it out and stick the itinerary in a romantic card and be set to hit the road this weekend.” Virginia is for Lovers” and this is your chance to show your loved one how special and loved they are.
Picking a town to go to shouldn’t be hard. Virginia has dozens of small towns and big ones just waiting for visitors to come and feel a part of the love and romance waiting there. You can make it a short drive from Lynchburg or Roanoke to towns like Bedford, Clifton Forge, Rustburg, Appomattox, or even Buena Vista. Of course slightly further drives to places like South Boston, Martinsville, Christiansburg, Radford, Lexington, Covington, Staunton, Charlottesville, Lovingston, and Amherst will also be rewarding. You may even find yourself going to cities like Richmond, Virginia Beach, or somewhere in Northern Virginia.
The weather this weekend is supposed to be cold so even a day at Wintergreen, The Homestead, Massanutten, or Snowshoe, WV, could be fun and adventurous. You don’t have to be a snow skier or boarder to enjoy the mountain resorts. They all have lodging should you decide to make it an overnight trip. The resorts all have at least one restaurant and some have more. Other dining choices can also be found nearby for any of these great places. Check out their websites for more information and available activities.
“Getting there is half the fun”, goes the adage. So be adventurous and get out a map, or use one online, and plan a route that avoids the major, boring highways you’ve seen many times before. Discover the back roads of Virginia. I don’t mean you should find the smallest, dirt roads on the map, but there are usually several alternative routes to get you to where you are going. With the leaves off the trees this time of year, you can see things in the heavily wooded areas that you would not see in the summer. I am always surprised at how many streams and ponds I can see that are often hidden by the foliage during the warm months of the year.
Don’t forget the camera. Take time to make stops along the way and snap several photos at each stop. I love to stop and take pictures on my trips. Every season has its own unique and beautiful qualities. You can wrap up the romance of the weekend by putting together a slide show and giving that to your special someone. My wife and I love to go back and look at the scenic pictures from trips in the past. When we get in a rush and don’t take the time to get those extra photos, we later regret it and promise ourselves to take more pictures on the next trip. But once the moment has passed, you cannot get it back.
Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you. May your heart be warmed with the love from someone special and may your trip of love be fabulous. And guys, an unexpected day trip is a great time to make that proposal! Just don’t forget the ring.
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