Most of the defining moments of the courtship with my wife took place outdoors. Those little, notable interactions between us, the character traits that defined her, those things that seemed so enchanting, and, yes, the proposal, they happened under the sun and stars, on the trail or in the water. Of course, we spent as much time as we could outside, but still, there’s no denying that watching shooting stars on a Utah mesa or catching snowflakes in Mammoth went a long way toward creating the right atmosphere. I mean, really, what’s romantic about a fancy restaurant or a date to the movies compared to riding mountain bikes in the pre-dawn light and watching the sun rise from atop a hill?
Of course, it hasn’t all been milk and honey. Both of us have needed stitches (surfing, mountain biking), both of us have hurled from going too high too fast (backpacking, skiing), and we’ve been sunburned, bug bit, and poison oaked. So, on this week of hearts and chocolates and sales of technical base layers from Victoria’s Secret, as we consider the elements that lead to a zip-together sleeping bag, let’s also consider those that don’t.
What do you guys think is the most romantic thing about the outdoors? And what’s the least?
Pick up to three.
WIN SMITH GOGGLES JUST BY VOTING!
This week, one poll participant will receive Smith Optic’s I/O snow goggles. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) — all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, February 17, at midnight PST.
Photo by Shutterstock
Historical Badass: Yosemite Pioneer Warren Harding
The AJ List: 19 Awesome Hikes Under 5 Miles
AJ Is Launching Photo Tips Series – What Do You Want to Know?
The AJ Poll: What’s the Best Thing About Summer?
Thoughts on Dads and Dreams
The Flying Bike that Could Change Everything
The Storm that Ate Texas…Or Nibbled Around the Edges Anyway
Short Film Captures Hypnotizing Clouds from Above
Historical Badass: Climber and Author Peter Boardman
The AJ List: 17 Of The Best Songs About Mountains
The Lonely, Endearing Journey On ‘The Road From Karakol’
Living a Life Well Lived
The AJ Poll: What’s the Most Disgusting Thing You’ve Eaten?
Are You Ready for Your Summit Photo?
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
woo!
Bugs are fine as long as they aren’t thick and biting/stinging.
Definitely sharing adventures. That’s the best.
being with the person you care most about..
Aslong as you have a lady with you nature gets more and more beautiful.
sunshine and waterfalls!
Yes
sand everywhere. ugh
I think it is assumed that bugs in this poll are of the biting/stinging variety, nothing worse than mosquitoes to kill the moment. Also, I would put hot springs in the least romantic section…
nothing like some backcountry lovin
Once again, these type of polls always look the same! the most votes at the top and each item after that declines.. Steve, how about randomizing the order each time the page is opened, or something to that extent?
Kyle, I’m sorry, but I don’t get what you’re saying. When you view the page, it displays the possible answers in alphabetical order. It’s not until you click on “view results” that the poll shows them in order of popularity.
Being along together including no bugs.
Nothing’s better than being out alone in nature with someone you care about. It’s a bond not everyone gets to experience.
…..give me free goggles……
If rain/sleet/snow/cold are a romantic buzzkill, you’re doing it wrong.
The outdoors. Blowing minds daily!
Everything about the outdoors is romantic!
One day last summer, my boyfriend and I set out with some friends to explore a new rock climbing crag. The day included: 90 degree heat, 100% humidity, bush wacking, hundreds of mosquito bites, several ticks attached, and to top it off, our bodies covered in poison ivy. It was super romantic.
i love being able to share adventure stories with my friends, and have my lady chime in where i left off with the same enthusiasm.
Nothing like poison oak-caused pus oozing from your face to kill the mood.
But being alone in the backcountry…nothing better.
I would have said “simplicity” Being alone together is a close second though. Bugs aren’t nothing son…ever had the poison ivy???
Never Stop Exploring!
Love an evening with some shooting stars.
Certainly the alone time helps … but something about the natural musk that you both get removes all other worries about bugs, etc and you can just focus on how much you love each other. A nice chocolate bar pulled from the bottom your pack also helps to set the mood!
Sharing time alone on an adventure… doesn’t get too much better than that!
Nothing more romantic then a couple days without a shower! That is when the true relationship tests happen.
Shared adventures takes the prize for sure.
I feel like there’s a lot of un-romantic things that weren’t listed. i.e. the bo that’s inevitable after 5 days in the back country, pooping out in the open and the shared knowledge that we’re wiping with leaves, etc.
Sharing an adventure with your favorite person makes it 100x better and more fun! Especially when you have done it alone before and get to show them a really cool ride or place.
I also like “Simplicity” … there is no better way to find peace than being *almost alone in the wilderness
Bugs are the worst!
bugs kill the mood
Without a doubt, insects can drive you CRAZY!
Being in your element is sexy!
Everything!
Sharing is caring.
Primal experiences.
finest memories of watching shooting stars with someone special
Being in your element with someone who is also in their element
Being alone together especially in spring.
voted
Nothing more romantic than the outdoors!
Of all the things I love to do outside, backpacking with my wife in the wilds is #1.
the phrase “seeing animals doing it” just took the cake
Sunsets … cliche, yes, good definitely.
getting after it with somebody
Nothing quite like sharing some amazing adventures with someone you love!
Losing your s.o. in a whiteout because you are without goggles wouldn’t be very romantic at all.
There is just something awesome about the open space, the sound and the connection with it all. soil in your hands and between your toes…does something for me
Sunsets above tree line so you can really see the wilderness change from day to night. Poison ivy itches really bad.
Thanks. It would be cool to win!
Nothing like a romantic goggle gift to give my valentine….
Solitude
Beats work
Most everything’s great if it’s with the right person.
“Sweat” and “Sand in bathing suits” should be on the opposite side of this poll. But just getting out there and being so far away from anyone is the most romantic thing about the outdoors!
the outdoors!
Oh the sweet sounds of Kenny G
gotta love the wilderness
I just want to win some goggles
When she’s happy, I’m happy.
But really, when you’re both out in an amazing place, just absorbing all the beauty with smiles on your faces, that’s pretty romantic.
And a perfect way to ruin it is bugs. You’re sitting there in your own private place, the sun is setting, you start thinking some boinking might work well right now, and….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt, whack – the skeeters take over and ruin it.
Nothing wrong with a little sweat!
it’s all pretty great. except maybe poison ivy and bugs that want to drink your blood.
sand in bathing suit is the MOST romantic part.
Solitude enjoyed together, doesn’t get much better than that.
My date bought me trail crampons and he packed dried milk and sugar for my hot coffee on the mountain top…. he got the JetBoil going and I unpacked my homemade oat bars…. best foreplay ever!!
Definitely Poison Oak. I don’t even want to sleep by myself when I get it.
…and the time it affords you to focus on each other!
How did sleat not make it into the top five yet?
Sweat ugg
mmm girls that like gear too…
Can I vote for bugs three times?
Contrary to Dave, I suspect “The way some waterfalls sound like Kenny G” should have been an option in the Least Romantic Things.
Yeah, that was an egregious oversight. Mea culpable.
Bugs are definitely the worst here. But worth it for the above mentioned positives.
Sleeping bags zipped together, confined to a tent.
Sunsets and bugs
outdoors blow my mind off.
Had to go with snowflakes in her hair. Having that right moment with a light snow falling is perfect.
Boomshakalaka!
I wish I could have selected more than one, but sharing adventures came out on top. Nothing more romantic than that.
light rain in summer, snow in winter.
I almost feel like sweat is a romantic thing, is that wrong?
Adventures together!!!!!! Yahoo!!