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By Kristin Kloberdanz

The days are getting shorter and the breeze is starting to bite, but that doesn't mean it's time to pack it all up and head for the sofa just yet. Autumn is a wonderful time for outdoor improvisation -- there are plenty of romantic endeavors to be had, and the chill in the air gives you all the more reason to hold your honey close. Whether you're asking someone out on a first date or if you just want to get out of the house for a bit with your mate, here are a few fall flings:

Get picking: It's apple and pumpkin season, so find an orchard near you and spend an afternoon in the country. You'll have a great time drinking spiced cider, filling bushels and carving pumpkins. And, at the end of the day, treat your sweet to an old-fashioned hay ride.

Root for your home team: Football provides an enthusiastic, lighthearted atmosphere for a date, plus it holds the nostalgia from homecomings past. All you need for the stands is a heavy blanket, a warm thermos and a snuggling companion.

Fire up: Hit the beach or a nearby camping ground and build a raging bonfire. Surprise your lover with a bag full of goodies and plenty of hot chocolate.

Go for a ride: Look up trails in your neck of the woods and find a place where you can go for either a bike or horseback ride to see the fall colors. Many bed-and-breakfasts will arrange to drop you off at the head of a trail so you can spend the day trekking back. The activity will keep you warm and the prospect of a cozy hotel at the end of the road will keep you moving.

Play in the leaves: Hey, it's not just for kids. Especially not when all the tussling leads to a make-out session!