Watch the Sun Go Down

One of nature's basic laws insists that what goes up must come down. But when it comes to the sun, it only seems like it's up and down. As the world turns, it's really round and round.

Sometimes we get so busy that we take for granted the simple things in life like sunsets. Yet sunsets are one of nature's finest cinematic productions. During certain months of the year, sunsets easily outshine anything you can pay $8.00 at the theater to see. And maybe if you play your cards right by tacking on a romantic dinner or nice bottle of wine, the sun won't be the only thing that goes down.

COST

The looking is free, plus libations and dinner if that's your pleasure.

PREPARATION

Make sure it's a time of year when the sunsets are worth watching. Check the local papers for the official time of sunset. Will you need to cut out of work early?

Find a good spot where you can watch the sun set—your backyard, a park, hilltop, the roof of your apartment building, a balcony, or maybe from your living room.

Will you be driving to a cool location where the vistas are inviting? If so, clean out the inside of the car, wash the outside, get it gassed up ahead of time and make sure to set the parking brake once you get there. (If you can't be bothered to clean out your car for a date, why not just drive to the county dump and view the sunset from there?)

Arrange comfortable seating: chairs, blankets, whatever.

Will you want to include a bottle of wine, champagne or sparkling grape juice? If it's champagne or white wine, be sure to include an ice bucket. If it's wine, you will need an opener unless you get the twist-off kind, in which case you should try to really enjoy the sunset because you'll probably have serious problems focusing on the next morning's sunrise.

CAVEAT

When it comes to the displays of nature, you always need to remember that prediction and planning can only go so far. There will be times when nature will deliver and deliver and deliver. There will be other times when clouds get in the way. So make sure you're prepared for the occasional panoramic no-show.

MORE?

How about dinner afterward?

SUNNY DAYS—STARRY NIGHTS

After the big ball calls it a day, maybe the little balls will get to come out and play.