Changing seasons are a wonderful time to change the scenery and flavor of your dates. Gerry Ellen shares six date ideas for the cooling, autumn weather.

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Whenever that fresh sense of a seasonal change is looming on the horizon, moods begin to shift, the smell of coziness is all around, and love seems to take precedence once again. Just as the onset of summer has a carefree and breezy air to it, autumn begs for warmth and change and closeness.

I have always deemed autumn as my favorite month, the transition from a long warmer-than-usual months of summer into one of grounding and calm. It’s a time to seal those relationships, or to nurture the ones’ which are new and struggling, or to find the inner beauty and worth of valued partners who have gone the distance.

Ushering in autumn with all of its color is also a time to get inspired with our love. I’ve chosen several ways to be together with your one and only and create memories to last a lifetime.

1. Long Drive to Watch the Trees Change

Depending on where you live, this experience of autumn is at its pinnacle in late September/early October. Sometimes the turning leaves can extend into late October, but meandering around mountain or country roads, or anywhere that a show of color is off-the-charts can be one of the most romantic dates you’ve ever had. Swaths of oranges and yellows and reds are some of the most scenic rides ever on this planet earth. Your date will be enchanted and photos are a definite must.

2. Painting and Molding

Every city usually has a quaint spot where you can stop in and play with ceramics and paint, and leave with a new creation of a decorative coffee mug, or a new soap dish, or a funny figurine that elicits laughter when picking out colors and shapes. Often large parties are held at these unique, community establishments, however I feel taking a date after dinner to a late night painting and creating fest is about the sexiest thing there is. Humor is always involved and what’s better than guffawing until your belly hurts? Exactly, nothing.

3. Long Walks

Taking a long stroll is the most perfect antidote to boredom and needing a loving dose of hand-holding through the woods, on the beach, or through the forever stretch of city energy amidst the lights and tree-lined streets. Many wellness professionals tout the healing effects of a long walk, and if accompanied by another chosen heart, all the better. Getting those endorphins fired up, conjuring up the words together in communication, or simply remaining quiet and soaking in the beauty, long walks are an incredible medicine for everything mindful and healthy. Take along your partner and the date just amped up for the better. Whether morning, afternoon or evening, the weather in autumn is way more conducive to walking in all three times of the day, and inhaling that fresh air helps everything.

5. Wineries or Breweries

Again, this is a destination-type thing where visiting at harvest time and sampling some of the finest spirits made in any city or country could be cast as the date to remember. Something about the intricate display and tastings of both wine and beer straight from the source is very intelligent, and has more to do with the knowledge shared by the vintner or brew master, and even sneaking away as a couple in between the vats of simmering spirits to snuggle and kiss and be part of the process on an intimate level. I have done it before in Napa Valley, and I assure you that driving through growing grape fields, stopping in for a sip or two of all the varietals is sure to keep the fire growing in your relationship, as well as while away the hours together being part of something new.

6. Farmer’s Markets

Summer and spring aren’t the only seasons chock full of nourishing goodies at the local farmers’ markets; there is a trend towards autumnal harvests of potatoes, squash, leafy greens, apples, pumpkins, even citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges, and they are all at their peak during the autumn months. The vast display of color is sure to tantalize the senses, and meandering through row after delicious row of garden eats grown by local farmers is the most abundant feeling.

Usually there’s a set up of tables and chairs somewhere within the market to have lunch and enjoy breaking open some of the new purchases. It helps the growers and it helps your health. Plus, strolling and chatting through tented tables of vegetables and fruits deciding on what to make for dinner is a sure fire check in the *positive* column for a date. It gives you a glimpse of what appeals to each of you, and from there you can get inspired and create dishes for dinner and beyond.

Let’s celebrate the changing of the season with love in our hearts, kindness towards each other, humility when warranted, and a gracefulness with our abilities to do the best we can alone and with each other. Make a date, take a ride, and go for it. Some things just never go out of style, thank goodness.

[image: via shutterstock]