Summer Sizzles

Summer is just around the corner and I can already feel the sand squishing between my toes. Maybe I'm having flashbacks of college summers past, or maybe the constant stream of sunlight has my serotonin levels so high I'd be a shoo-in for flight attendant school, but whatever the cause, summer is my favorite time of year. I love the long, long days, I love that practically everything tastes better when it's been cooked on a grill. I love the casualness. Most of all, I love going barefoot.

Summer romances are by far the sweetest, and it's a perfect time to meet your online cutie in person for the first time. Just remember to keep your head: your freewheeling summer self may not be an accurate reflection of your more straight-laced (read: fully clothed and ready for the office) fall and winter persona.

All's Fair in Love

You may remember the chapter in Charlotte's Web when Fern forgot all about Wilbur the pig, and previously nerdy Avery morphed into a dreamboat when he whisked her off for a ride on the Ferris wheel. There's something charming and old-fashioned about a date at the fair that evokes the emotions of courtship. Whether it's sitting close together on that Ferris wheel as it rocks gently in the breeze, or cheering your guy as he wins a giant stuffed penguin by tossing a rubber ring around the neck of a Coke bottle, sharing onion rings out of a cardboard box, or gorging yourself on cotton candy and blueberry pie, the fair makes for quite a romantic date. A word to the wise: make sure you skip the "guess your weight" booth.

Just add water

If you're genetically blessed, under 30, or if you've spent all winter at the gym, the beach or the lake can make for a fabulous date. And, if you're not so ready to bare it all, a spin on a sailboat, jet-ski or canoe can make for a fantastically romantic date. Just be sure to pack snacks, life jackets, and lots of sunscreen. Eating lobster on a date: good thing. Looking like a lobster at the end of your date: bad thing.

Chicken and Tchaikovsky

For those who aren't quite ready to flash the beach body on the first date, most cities offer free outdoor concerts and plays during the summer. Pack a picnic dinner (extra points to the guy who brings real wine glasses, a little vase of flowers and bug spray) and a couple of blankets (one to be the table, one to snuggle up in if it gets chilly) and enjoy a little culture and romantic splendor in the grass.

Swirling Under the Stars

As anyone who has been to one of the fabulous little wine bars that seem to be popping up everywhere can tell you, good music and sipping a cool glass of Pinot outdoors is a better aphrodisiac than three hot rum toddies in front of a fire any day of the week. In fact, it's a perfect place to meet your online sweetie for the first time. Bob McLeod, owner of The Grape in Atlanta, says "Seeing you swirl your glass of cabernet at a table under the stars can do more for your sex appeal than a push-up bra, three barrels of perfume, and an entire crate of concealer."

Me and You and a Bear Named Smokey

What better place than a wildlife park to meet up this summer? From camping to fishing to boating to hiking, wildlife parks have something for all outdoorsy types. From scenic rivers to hiking trails, campgrounds and scenic byways, you're bound to find something fun to do. Besides, nothing brings people together like roasting marshmallows over a fire.

Fight Mannequinism

Finally, a way to feel great even if the date goes bad. A volunteer date! Fight Mannequinism, a national U.S. campaign to get young adults more involved in the world around them, suggests you pick something you both care about and meet up at the event or organization. It's fun! It's meaningful! It's more interesting than another trip to the Olive Garden! Plus, volunteering together can also strengthen a connection between two people. Go to Fight Mannequinism or in Canada Volunteer.ca to find events in your area.

The Duck-In, in Virginia Beach

Okay, this one only works if you live in Virginia or are planning on visiting Virginia this summer. However, it is my all-time favorite place to go for a date. Or before a date. Or with your friends when none of you can seem to scrounge up a date. It's a tiny little beach bar (not that anyone goes inside, the beach party is outside), and every Friday from April through September, around 5 pm they roll in a couple of beer trucks and a band. Everybody stands around on the beach chatting away with the sand squishing between their toes, and the whole thing is over by 8, just in time for dinner. It's the perfect kickoff for the weekend, and practically impossible not to have a great time.

Endless Summer

While summer romances are completely divine, they also have a habit of burning out once September rolls around. So, how do you know if your summer fling will last? Liz Kelley, author of SMART Man Hunting suggests, "Listen to your gut when trying to decide if a summer fling is going to go past Labor Day. Ask yourself, are they really in to you?"

Sandra Gordon, co-author of The Shy Single (Rodale Press, 2004) adds, "You may have a gut feeling about the longevity of your relationship. But if you're still not sure, try to picture yourself doing winter things with your fling, like going to your office Christmas party, hanging out at Barnes and Noble, just reading, or even coming home over the holidays to meet your family. Can't picture it? Well, just enjoy it while it lasts. Summer flings can be good practice for the real thing."

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