ROMANCE WITH A CAPITAL “P”
Grab your coolers and blankets: It's time for romance!
Ahwatukee Monthly
May 2003

Spring is in the air! Skies are blue. The sun is shining. Trees are covered with bright green buds. Desert plants are filled with colorful blooms. The landscape surrounding you is jubilantly ablaze with color. It is the perfect season to celebrate renewal and rejuvenation. It's only natural that you will have spring fever! So, what are you waiting for? With light, breezy days and cool, calm nights, there is no better time to kidnap your love and escape together for a romantic picnic.

There are no hard and fast rules when you go on a picnic. After all, it's almost impossible not to feel wonderful while you walk hand in hand, barefoot on lush green lawns, or lay on your checkered blanket daydreaming as you gaze up at the sky. But, there are a few things that you can do that will help to heighten your romantic interlude.

Clue into your quixotic side and bring along your sense of humor. Laughter is one of the greatest aphrodisiacs of all. Share a smile, a kiss, and whisper in each other's ear. This is a perfect opportunity for you to appreciate and reconnect with each other, taking time to close out the world and focus only on each other.

Wherever you have your picnic, choose a place that provides some privacy; whether it is by a cool mountain stream, one of the many popular lakes nearby, a city park, a remote spot in the desert, or your own backyard! The great outdoors provides an idyllic setting for your romantic jaunt.

A picnic doesn't have to be a lot of work; you can keep it simple and make a box lunch with sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit - anything you can find in your fridge and pantry. Or pick up all of your favorites at AJ's, Jason's Deli or one of the many other gourmet shops and grocery stores in the Valley... and then hit the road.

Dress is casual - no shoes required! Or, if you'd prefer, you can enjoy your picnic in style. Forget the plastic silver-ware and paper plates, and pack silver, china, and two crystal champagne flutes. It's time for a toast!

WHEREVER YOU HAVE YOUR PICNIC, CHOOSE A PLACE THAT PROVIDES SOME PRIVACY; WHETHER IT IS BY A COOL MOU NTAI N STREAM, ONE OF THE MANY POPULAR LAKES NEARBY, A CITY PARK, A REMOTE SPOT IN THE DESERT, OR YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

Have plenty of candles available. Candles are wonderful mood enhancers. Don't forget a lighter or matches!

You can also bring a book of your favorite poetry. If the mood is just right, you may really enjoy reading to one another.

Take a portable CD player (with extra batteries) and your favorite CDs. Great music always enhances the romantic ambience. It helps you capture memories of time spent together for years to come.

Flowers have long been linked with romance. Scents capture moments and emotions like nothing else will. You can bring a rose to lay across the blanket, daisies to place in a makeshift vase, or have fun picking wildflowers.

Remember the childhood joy of flying a kite? Now is your chance to recapture that innocence, with your love at your side. Make sure to take a kite with you. If you are at a park, swing on a swing or slide down the slide! Imagine the fun you'll have!

Your menu can be as basic or extrava-gant as you desire and your imagination allows. Food always tastes better when eaten outdoors! There are the old standbys: cold fried chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, egg salad, chips, carrot sticks, sliced watermelon, homemade brownies, and freshly brewed iced tea or lemonade. But for those of you with more lavish tastes, try the following: French baguettes with brie, foie gras, steaks, chilled asparagus salad, fresh berries with whipped creme, Godiva chocolates - the ultimate in decadence, and your favorite bottle of champagne. In either case, make sure you have enough food so that you can linger as long as you'd like.

For any picnic, you won't want to leave home without these essentials: a cooler, picnic basket, lots of bottled water, sunscreen, corkscrew, cups, plates, napkins, condiments, camera, folding chairs, a blanket and pillows.

Grab your coolers and blankets! Spend a carefree afternoon or romantic lazy evening under the stars! There are many ideal locations to dine al fresco. Be creative when selecting your spot. Of course, there is always the neighborhood park or your backyard, but there are also many natural settings as well as outdoor venues where music, art and film festi-vals take place that could be absolutely perfect.

Here are suggestions for some local favorites...

Fountain Park: Relax on lush lawns by the side of the lake that hosts a world--famous fountain. Located in the Town of Fountain Hills on Saguaro Boulevard.

Superstition Mountains: Enjoy the wild-flowers, search out the fabled treasure of Lost Dutchman's Mine, or simply relax and enjoy the view. Located east of Apache Junction (take US Hwy 60 to Peralta Road exit).

Behind the Pinnacle Peak General Store are lovely gardens with winding walkways where you can sit on benches and have a picnic. Stop in the general store for a thick creamy milk shake or banana split! Located on Pinnacle Peak and Pima Road.

The Phoenix Zoo: You can buy food there or bring your own. There are lots of spots to rendezvous. Located in Papago Park off McDowell Road.

Scottsdale Civic Center/Scottsdale Center for the Arts: Offers lots of grassy areas with fountains and flower gardens. In addition, you can wander through the art gallery found there. Located two blocks east of Scottsdale Road, south of Indian School.

Squaw Peak Park: Fabulous hiking in the center of Phoenix with established picnic areas. Located off Lincoln Drive at Squaw Peak Drive.

Kiwanis Park: Enjoy a romantic meal under large shade trees near the lake. When you are done, feed your bread crusts to the ducks. Located at 6111 S. All-American Way in Tempe.

Tempe Town Lake: Have a picnic lake-side, then go for a walk along the shores of Tempe Town Lake. For some water fun, enjoy a Rio Lago Cruise or rent pedal-boats. The ticket booth is located inside Tempe Beach Park on the south shore of the lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe.

Desert Breeze Park: Have a catfish fry/picnic at Desert Breeze Park as you catch your own in the stocked lake. Enjoy the fruits of your labor while you watch the sunset, or have a bagel and cream cheese picnic and watch the sunrise shimmer across the lake (we won't tell anyone if you play on the swings!). Located one block south of Ray Road on Desert Breeze Boulevard, Chandler.

Phoenix Art Museum: You can sit at a table outside with your picnic lunch (you can purchase food there or bring your own), then wander inside to enjoy the current exhibits. Located at McDowell Road and Central Avenue.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park: The Southwest's oldest arboretum and botanical garden. Located east of Phoenix (on US Hwy 60) in Superior.

McCormick Railroad Park: With train and carousel rides you'll awaken your child within. Located at Indian Bend and Scottsdale Road.

Apache Lake, Lake Pleasant and Bartlett Lake offer nice alternatives for picnics.

Take a leisurely drive to Carefree or Rio Verde and pick any spot that entices you.