Valentine plan? Hurry, clock’s ticking

Tick, tock, fellas.

This is the last remedial Valentine’s Day lesson you’ll get from me. Hereafter, you have the con.

And don’t lecture me about how women could just as easily take charge of the big romantic gesture. I don’t make the rules. (But if you can sell that idea to her, good for you.)

Let’s review some of your options:

Cave B Inn at SageCliffe opened its spa in December, bringing a whole new level of indulgence to the Quincy, Wash., area. Just be careful when suggesting a total exfoliation body polish to your lady love; you don’t want her to think she’s not shiny enough as she is.

That’s not all, of course. The Spa at SageCliffe (I have complained in the past about this propensity for “creative” spelling, apparently to no avail) offers hot-stone scrubs, massages for individuals or couples, moisturizing facials, full body wraps and more.

The inn has put together a number of packages to complement your spa experience. “Days and Nights of Wine and Romance” combines dinner for two at Tendrils, a signed bottle of Cave B Estate wine, a smooth jazz CD and a night in a one-bedroom Cliffehouse with breakfast in bed the next morning.

“Do Not Disturb” swaps out breakfast for a rose petal bubble bath, your choice of oysters or prawns, and strawberries dipped in chocolate fondue.

Both packages, available until April 23, run $400.

But if your budget contains a little more wiggle room, why not try the “Art of Indulgence”? For an eminently reasonable $15,000, you’ll enjoy round-trip limousine service from SeaTac or Spokane International, three nights in a two-bedroom Cliffehouse, butler service, an on-call massage therapist, all the food you can stuff down your gullet, Cave B wines, rose petal turndown service, gold-dusted truffles with cordials, breakfast on your own patio, a private tour of the vineyard, a private fishing or helicopter tour and a few more goodies.

Find out more at www.cavebinn.com or (888) 785-CAVE.

Need another idea? The folks at the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau say their city is “the ultimate romantic destination.”

I did not know that.

But if you visit www.anchorage.net, you can see it all for yourself. Or you can take these suggestions, helpfully provided in the CVB’s news release:

Give your sweetheart a hat made of qiviut, the under-hair of a musk ox (www.qiviut.com). Fly to a remote glacier to pledge your troth. Or order a fresh Alaska king crab dinner mailed to your house (www.fishermansexpress.com).

The Anchorage CVB is weird.

Moving on. If you’ve already been, um, romantic, Rosario Resort and Spa has something just for you.

The new “Babymoon Package” wants to keep things interesting for couples during pregnancy.

So the Orcas Island resort will treat you to homemade cookies and a bottle of sparkling cider when you check in for your two-night stay. You’ll also get massages, one breakfast for two and a baby gift from Rosario’s Bay Boutique.

Babymoon costs start at $399 for a standard guest room and $479 for a suite, based on double occupancy. Prices go up April 1.

Rosario has a Valentine’s weekend package, too. Arrive on Feb. 10 or 11 and for $359 or $459, depending on your quarters, you’ll get two nights’ accommodation, a dinner for two, and chocolate and champagne delivered to room.

They’ll take your reservation at www.rockresorts.com or (866) 801-ROCK.

Goose on the loose

The snow geese are headed for Port Susan, and they’d like you to join them.

The first annual Port Susan Snow Goose Birding Festival, Feb. 25 and 26, celebrates the arrival of the area’s wintering birds with tours, activities and speakers in and around Stanwood and Camano Island, Wash. The Nature Conservancy will also open its Port Susan property for the occasion.

The festival’s Web site (www.snowgoosefest.org) lists good spots for finding birds, places to park your binoculars at the end of the day and information about snow geese.

The region is also known for its arts community, and they’ve gotten in on the action. The “One with the Birds” exhibit, showcasing a dozen Camano Island artists, runs during the festival at the Four Springs Preserve House.

If you can’t find what you need on the Web site, call (360) 629-0562.

Regional events

Cardboard Classic Creative Judging, Parade and Races, Feb. 24 through 26, Red Lodge, Mont. Even with the Winter Carnival’s mountain bike racing, music, fireworks, jalapeño eating contest, and scavenger and treasure hunts, the Cardboard Classic has to be the high point. Vehicles made of cardboard, tape and glue go for the gold. (www.redlodge.com/ carnival; 406-446-2610)

Newport Seafood and Wine Festival, Feb. 24 through 26, Newport, Ore. Local wines, fresh seafood, handcrafted jewelry, pottery and more round out the 29th year of the festival, one of the largest of its kind in the country. (www.newportchamber.org; 800-COA-ST44)