February 14th is a day set aside for love. So what better way to celebrate than by sharing your love of the outdoors?
Think kayaking instead of candy, conservation with your calla lilies, and dinner plus a little neighborhood discovery. We think the sweetest days are the ones spent getting out there to explore your world and make it better.
Here are four ideas to make it an even better Valentine’s Day this year:
You know the saying, couples who play together stay together. Think two-person kayaking, side-by-side paddleboarding, and meeting at the trailhead for some quality time in nature. Or when’s the last time you went flying down the sled hill? Dinner for two is extra satisfying after a little adrenaline and exhilaration.
Here’s a great way to spread the love: while you’re out exploring or having a picnic dinner, grab a trash bag and help clean up the beach, shoreline, or trail. According to Leave No Trace, things like cigarette butts and food wrappers can take up to five years to decompose, with fishing line and aluminum cans taking up to 100 or more. KEEN is a longtime partner of Leave No Trace, which helps educate the public about enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Get involved and find out how to volunteer in your state at the Leave No Trace website.
Dinner in town is still an opportunity to get outside and explore. Find a restaurant in a new part of the city and make time before or after your meal to get a new perspective of your world. Scope out any nearby parks, gardens, murals, overlooks, and walking paths. Or simply enjoy a scoop of small-batch ice cream al fresco.
Nothing compares to gazing at each other across the table, except for maybe catching a great view of the sunset beforehand or gazing at stars after dessert. Find a good vantage point, and load up your phone with an app that helps identify the planets and constellations you see in the night sky, such as SkyView.
