Beach retreat even more affordable now

Well, it finally has happened: The price of gas has started to drop and availability is up. Off-season rates for accommodations are being offered. Now is the perfect time to sneak off for a long weekend -- heck, make it a week -- on the Alabama Gulf Coast. (Or, for you retirees, check into the "snow-bird" specials. Some promotions offer deals for stays of up to four months!)

I was daydreaming and tooling around my favorite Web site, www.thebeachiscalling.org, when I ran across the Packages & Deals page. I found getaways for families, for kids' birthdays, for couples only -- the kinds of deals I would expect to find. But did you know that some places in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer Guys Only packages? What a perfect idea! Your honey can round up some friends and head off for a long weekend, leaving you time to schedule playdates for the young'uns or spend some quality time with them.

And if your sweetie comes back from a beach retreat feeling refreshed and renewed, you might be able to get him to do a bit of straightening up in his "man cave." (I know, I know, but I can dream, can't I?)