Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/930077
62 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018 Out There by Gregg Losinski Mention February and what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you are like most people, you will probably say "Valentine's Day." Starting with covering shoe boxes with construction paper hearts when we were just young school children, to awkward Jr. High dances, we were all pro- grammed to think that February is all about romance. While Idaho Falls at first blush might not seem as romantic as Paris or Rome, if you tilt your head just right and squint, you might be surprised at what you see. Back in the late sixties, an ad campaign began that is still run- ning today. The catchphrase of that campaign is, "Virginia is for lovers." I'm not going to knock Virginia, but if they're going to claim they are the spot for lovers, then Idaho Falls can at least claim it's "The place for people who have been married for a really long time and still even like to do things together." The problem is that it might be hard to fit all that on a bumper stick- er. Judging by the number of couples strolling up and down the Greenbelt, this is a boast that while unscientific, can at least be considered as plausible. This anecdotal observation is further bolstered by checking out one of the few remaining reasons that anyone still subscribes to our local paper. The obits are chock full of people that not only lived long lives but were married forever, presumably happily. As someone who has been married for over 32 years, I still have a vague recollection of what romance is supposed to be about. If Valentine's Day were looming upon me and I needed to rekindle the smoldering embers of romance, then heading to the Greenbelt might just be the ticket. Of course, while the falls are romantic any time of the year, they are probably more so on a balmy summer evening than on a dark, cold night in the middle of February. The Sportsman's Japanese Garden is also beautiful when everything is in full bloom, but not so much when buried under a few feet of snow. After a very quick romantic walk along the Greenbelt, it would probably be a good idea to head somewhere indoors with that someone special. There are lots of fine drinking and dining estab- lishments in Idaho Falls, but one place that has a great ambiance to match an incredible menu is D'railed. If you've never taken your spe- cial someone to eat there, then Valentine's Day is definitely the time to do it. Be forewarned, however, the quirky little gastropub inside the old Union Pacific crew house is extremely popular on Valentine's Day and reservations are a must. For those who might not be as sentimental, but are looking for some- where warm to share a meaningful experience with their significant other, there is Guns N Gear on the other side of the river. What better way is there to share time with the person you love than blasting holes in paper targets with high powered handguns? The neat thing is that you don't even need to own a gun or know how to use one. The folks there will not only rent you one at a reasonable price, but they'll also instruct you how to safely use it. Virginia may not need to worry about losing its claim to fame to Idaho Falls, but for a place that can get so cold in February, it's full of people who have warm hearts and the forti- tude to stay together. So take that, Virginia. Idaho Falls— Cold Weather, Warm Hearts IF