Pick a Picnic

By: Jonathan Jones 06/10/2013

Let’s face it… our weather is infamous for its ups and downs and sometimes…even its lefts and rights.  So when we have a good day on the horizon, we’re packing up the car or bike and heading outdoors.  Whether it's enjoying Lake Michigan's coast at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, or exploring Independence Grove, at some point it happens – we get hungry.  So when you really don’t want to leave the little spot of local paradise that you've decided to experience, it’s picnic time.  Here’s a list of picnic tips to help make your picnic an outdoor success.

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="alignright" width="300" caption="              Illinois Beach State Park"][/caption]

 

1)      CHECK THE WEATHER!  Don’t hesitate to throw that rain poncho or extra sunscreen in your bag.  We all know weather can change quickly, and if you’re caught off guard, it could ruin anything.

2)      Find your spot:  Once you know where you're going, then we can start with the basics.  Bring a blanket that everyone can fit on, or individual beach towels.  If you’re going to be somewhere sunny, bring a beach umbrella!  They’re not too expensive and they might be the only thing preventing that sunburn you’ve been trying to avoid.

3)      Stay hydrated!  Bring TOO much to drink.  You won’t regret it.  But you will regret the dehydration headache awaiting you.  Freeze some water bottles, and drink them when they melt.  If you have a favorite water bottle, fill it up and freeze it sideways, so the straw can still work.

4)      Food!  Obviously.  If you have a cooler, then we don’t have to worry about food spoiling as much, and try to keep the food options to vegetables and fruits to keep your body moving.  Find a local farmer's market for some of the freshest options of the season!  Some other options are chips and salsa, sandwiches, dried fruits and applesauce.

• Don’t bring anything you can’t open (i.e.- a can or a bottle of wine) unless you have a way to open it.
• Bug spray.  Definitely remember the bug spray.
• Get creative!  Bring a centerpiece, or make one from local river rocks.  Bring some fancy stem ware and an electric candle to create a romantic scene that won’t burn the place down.
• Keep it clean!  Bring a garbage bag with you so you'll be able to keep track of any trash you make, and be sure to bring it with you when you leave!

Whatever the style of your picnic, make it your own!  Jazz it up with some mason jars with electric tea lights in them, create a custom beverage for the day, create a “#” so you can store all your photos of the day and look back fondly on them.  But get outside! Go!