Picnic 101

Every time the word picnic is bandied about, it conjures up (in my head) images of an English countryside, flush with daffodils,  the gentle sun shining down upon four kids and a dog, as they paused in between adventures. As I followed Julian, Dick, George, Anna and Timothy through 18 books, I became as enchanted with their picnics - the lemonades, the bicycle rides, the ginger beer, cheese and bacon, and cucumber sandwiches. 

Last year, when we got back to State College after our wedding our very first outing was a picnic. And we realized that a picnic is the perfect outing for us. As a couple we are not planners. We like to take things by the minute and picnics are perfect for this. You often don't need anything fancy. Something about the outdoors makes the simplest of foods taste delicious. So yesterday when we couldn't decide what to do for the day, we picnicked. As picnic veterans, we can't help but give you a picnic 101.




Never EVER plan a picnic. Plan something else; most likely that won't happen and you'll end up going on a picnic. Picnics are guaranteed to be fun, so you win either way.

A ride through the countryside with long winding roads is a must. Folks that live in the city and think a picnic in Central Park is a sweet deal, I'm sorry!

Kick up your heels to get in the picnic mode.

Head to a local state park. Enjoy the foliage and bloom as you go. And if you have a smart-phone click pictures of everything.

If it is going to be close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure there is a water body. When it gets warm, you are going to want to jump in.

Find a perfect spot to settle down. We are not big on getting tanned, so we always pick the a spot under a tree. Set down your cute picnic bag (yes that one you got for free with the purchase of the granny quilt).

Spread out your blanket and lie down and people watch for a while. That is until some very raucous, self-obsessed, bikini-clad schoolgirls start strutting their stuff up and down the beach. That is when you are so glad you brought a book along. Another rule, never leave the house without a book. Not just for picnic. For anything! You never know when boredom will strike.

Before long though, you will want to eat. The best part of picnic is keeping it simple with the food - i.e., no prepping needed at all. Now, I know as budding gourmet chefs the idea of not whipping that watermelon into a sorbet is tearing you apart. But please, stop yourself.

Now that your belly is happy, you could do a several things. Take a nap, for starters. I don't know why there aren't enough odes written in praise of napping under the sun. It is the best thing really (If you ignore the possibility of an insect entering your ear).

Finally, bring something along for play (a frizbee, a volleyball, maybe a kayak !?).  All that food and no play will make you obese.

Finally, quoting Baz Luhrman,  "Wear Sunscreen".  Now that is just common sense, really!