Valentine’s Day… oh yeah, we know what we want. (Honey? Roses. Red ones. And dinner reservations at Va de Vi or somewhere equally fab.) But we thought we’d give you a dad’s take on the topic too. And since fellow blogger Ari rolls his eyes at questions like that, we’re bringing you dadly expertise from Paul Banas, founder of the Bay Area’s own GreatDad.com, an advice site for fathers.

“Comedian Bill Maher often quips that holidays were invented just so married people have a reminder to have sex,” says Paul. “(But) we know how important this day is.”
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The East Bay’s Grateful Dads, a charming group of outdoor-loving pops and tots, are celebrating their fifth year of surging up and down the East Bay’s hills, mountains and winding trails, but it’s not all cardio-workout. They take in the beautiful surroundings, talk football and movies, bond with their kids — and let mom sleep in too.

“There are so many neat places in the Bay Area that you just don’t see if you’re just going to work every day,” says East Bay chapter founder Allen Mueller, “and I was looking for something to get back in shape and do something with my daughter.”

And there are chapters everywhere, including Marin County, where the original group got its start, SoCal, Spokane, Charleston, Chicago and more than a dozen other cities.

The Grateful Dad’s next East Bay hike? They’ll be traipsing the 2.7 mile lakeside trail at the Lafayette Reservoir this Saturday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. And dads of the East Bay? You’re invited.
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