Jim here, back with another newsletter to liven up your week. Today I want to talk about the simple joys of a well-planned picnic in the great outdoors. When most of us think of a picnic, crackling film starts to roll in our heads with scenes of 1950s roadside picnicking, decked out in gingham and accompanied by the kind of public address voiceover that used to tell people which cigarette most doctors preferred.
But picnicking shouldn’t be relegated to dusty attic film reels of your grandparents in their classic sky blue Chevrolet Impala. With the right preparation, a picnic on our public lands can be a memory you and those you bring along will cherish for decades.
Have you ever seen a candy bar or smelled a pastry or tasted a food that brought back vivid memories, probably from your childhood? You’re not alone. That’s because food has an interesting relationship with memory and can make for some very powerful reminiscing. To this day, my dad, in his 60’s, can’t help but buy a black and white cookie if he sees one because it reminds him of fond memories growing up in New York and being treated to those cookies by his mom on outings.
Now imagine having the ability to combine food’s powerful ability to create lasting memories with our public lands inherent abilities to do the same. See where I’m going with this? So let me challenge everyone reading this to make a plan to have a picnic somewhere scenic with people you enjoy. If you do it right, you have the opportunity to create a lifelong memory.
One more thing: this works best with children – if you pick your menu carefully this could be the fond memory they associate with whatever you’re eating.
Planning the Perfect Picnic
Know your limitations. If you’re lousy on the grill, stick to something pre-made. If you’re good with chicken but not steak, go with the chicken. If you’ve planned an 8 mile hike know what you can comfortably bring, how long it will keep, and if you’ll be able to successfully prepare it when the time comes.
Keep it simple, but thoughtful. When we plan we tend to try to push the envelope with what we can do (just ask my wife about our trip to Normandy a few years ago). Make your plan simple, but don’t cross the line into crude territory – then it’s just a meal outside. It doesn’t to be a magazine-worthy spread, but there should be some thought in the presentation.
Check the weather. Don’t plan this for a stifling hot afternoon or forget to check the weather and get rained out.
Timing is key. Just like the weather, you’ll want to time your picnic right. Choose a time when people are relaxed and can fully enjoy the picnic.
Create the right atmosphere. Ambiance is highly underrated and can go a long way in making your picnic memorable. Take it from a filmmaker and think about lighting and setting – sunset with a candle or a warm LED light is a personal favorite and adds a nice touch, just make sure there’s time to get back to the car or campsite before it’s too dark.
Don’t forget the tipple. For partaking adults a nice wine or cocktail fashioned on location really takes things up a notch.
Phones kill the moment. In today’s age, we tend to over-photograph everything. Get a picture, then put your phone away. Enjoy the moment and create memories that don’t need to be copiously documented.
So this summer or fall think about planning a picnic to a special spot outdoors. Think about what foods would make it special for you and the people you’re bringing along. Remember your limitations and the limitations of your party. Don’t try to do too much, but do try to make it special.
By the way, picnics can be at a scenic campsite with a meal cooked over a fire ring or a premade meal with beverages brought on hike and enjoyed in seclusion.
Here’s the Deal On Paid Subscriptions
You love national parks. We love national parks. We love writing about our national parks. Do you love our writing about national parks enough to cover the next bundle of firewood?
Remember When Will Copied My Newsletter?
Did anyone else think that Will’s newsletter last week sounded a little familiar? That's because its topic of discussion was identical to one I wrote back in February, titled "The Growing Problem with America’s Campsites." While Will offered only a glancing commentary on this nuanced issue, my piece brought a wealth of studies and research to bear, providing a comprehensive review of the topic. In fact, I consider it one of my finer newsletters and would recommend you check it out if you’re new here.
What Do You Think?
That’s all I have this week. I imagine everyone reading this has a place or an idea for a great picnic spot that they haven’t acted on yet. Maybe this newsletter will spur you to do it. I hope so!
Until next time.
– Jim
I have many happy memories associated with picnics.
Love your fabulous article. I am a huge picnic enthusiast and take every opportunity to create one. There is nothing more memorable than gathering over a scenic area, taking pause, and enjoying a meal. Nice article encouraging others to partake in such a charming passage of time.