Aug 2008

A romantic getaway for two sounds sooooo nice. No tween changing moods at the speed of light, no bills nagging me to pay them, no calls from work, no dishes, no laundry .... Sigh. There's just one little problem: My idea of a romantic getaway and my spouse's idea of one are VASTLY different. He wants to shop (I know, crazy, isn't it?) and learn about local history. I want to unplug my brain and my cell phone and just relax on the beach or at the pool. When we visited the Alabama Gulf Coast, though, we finally found a compromise, though. We set aside one afternoon to do everything together and another afternoon for some alone time. It has turned into the perfect solution. We've found out something that a lot of married couples already know: Even a little bit of time apart can make the time together even more special.

You know the expression, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? Romance is sort of like that, too. If the two of you enjoy it, and it draws you closer, then it's romantic ... even if it involves frozen squid. A few years back, we decided to spend some time at Gulf State Park. We rented a cabin, and we noticed the lake as we drove in. After some swimming, shopping and a great meal, we decided to pick up some bait and try our hands at fishing. I had packed an ultralight rod-and-reel combo, so we baited the hook with some squid pieces and cast into the water. WHOOSH! The bait was gone and the hook was empty. The more times we repeated the process, the funnier it got. We never did figure out what was grabbing the bait and eluding capture, but whatever it was, it got a good meal and we got a good laugh.

Is there anything more embarrassing than to be all set for a romantic night and then realize you have dishpan hands, chapped lips and garlic breath? Even if you've been married since the dawn of time, your honey deserves your best effort for a truly romantic evening on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Here's a little secret for skincare: Petroleum jelly. When you step out of the shower, while you're still wet, apply the barest bit of petroleum jelly to your skin (start with those chapped lips). Use the absolute minimum and rub, rub, rub. When you dry off, your skin will feel so smooth and there won't be a fragrance to compete with your favorite smell-good stuff. As for the breath, well, pack lots of mints. P.S. Petroleum jelly also makes an excellent makeup remover and night cream. As always, to avoid a greasy feeling, less is more.

No one knows how to set the perfect mood for a particular couple better than the two people involved. So take some time to pack a picnic basket with favorites for each of you. Start with the basics: Pick out two or three varieties of crackers of crispy breads and choose a cheese to complement each one. Add a bit of fresh, seasonal fruit grown near the Alabama Gulf Coast. Visit one of the unique boutiques in the area to pick up some decadent chocolates. Top it off with a bottle of your favorite wine or sparkling water. Even if your choice is non-alcoholic, some plastic champagne flutes make any beverage better. Plates, utensils and napkins finish off your basket. And remember, the perfect spot for a picnic for two might just be on a blanket in your condo or cabin.

It's the perfect setting: The moon is bright in a cloudless sky, a breeze is stirring in off the Gulf of Mexico, the blanket has not a grain of sand on it. But something is missing. Ah, the tunes. What songs are the perfect “mood music”? It all depends on the couple, of course. Maybe it's something old-school sensual such as Marvin Gaye or Barry White – or even older school, with some torch songs such as “Fever.” Perhaps something more upbeat is in order, such as classic beach tunes from Jimmy Buffett or the Beach Boys. No matter your taste in music, though, be sure to listen to the best sound Gulf Shores or Orange Beach has to offer: Waves crashing on sugary sands.