Life Without Alu?: Picnic at Smithville Lake, Missouri

There is something special about childhood memories. Granted, now I don’t play and run as much as I used to do as a kid still... it feels good to just pack a bag and spend an entire day away from home with no schedules to follow. Debarshi and I love going on picnics and when we were in Montgomery, Alabama we used to go to the nearby lakes and parks often to enjoy a blissful serene day.

(Photo taken at the Lake Lurleen State Park, Alabama)

Even though it sounds pretty fascinating to just take out a blanket and go for a picnic, it’s always better to plan for it ahead of time so that you have things to do and plenty to eat and drink. I have a picnic list which I have built over time (believe me when you forget things as much as I do it’s always better to write everything down!) and today I am going to share it with you:

Look for the Perfect Weather:

First and foremost, check the weather. You do not want to spend the entire day amidst rain. Just a pleasant day with a light breeze, not too hot or cold is perfect for a picnic and if you keep an eye on the local weather, you will easily find such a beautiful day. If there is a chance of rain, make sure to pack umbrellas. I read somewhere that taking a shower liner is a good idea if you are suspecting the ground to be wet or dirty. Just place it below your mat or blanket and start unpacking.

Where to go?

Debarshi and I love to go to state parks or near lakes and I think choosing the perfect place is very important. So, look around, do some research on the internet and try to find that perfect place. If you are going with friends, a big park with a wide open space will be good for playing games.

(Photo taken at the Smithville Lake)

Be comfortable:

This is important, if you are not feeling comfortable then you will get bored easily. So check the weather and wear clothes accordingly. Normally I prefer to wear loose light clothes with shoes because I don’t want to get bitten by insects while walking on the grass. I do pack a light sweater because sometimes after it rains you may feel a bit cold after sitting outside for a while.

Seating arrangements:

Take a soft big blanket so that everyone can comfortably sit on it. You can also take folding chairs if you don’t want to sit on the ground but blanket is a must.

Now about a nap on the cozy blanket? Sounds good? Take some pillows. I love to lie down and just look around at nature, listen to the birds, hear the water flowing and pillows complete that whole experience.

Food and drinks:

Ah! The most important part of any outing. Good food is good life so make sure to take lots of food, water, munching snacks and drinks. This time we decided to get everything readymade so we went to our local Hy-Vee (grocery) shop and got ourselves sandwiches, a plate of Chinese, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and some sushi. I think it’s always better to take some extra food so that you can start the picnic early and don’t have to worry about running out of food. Remember, state parks and lakes are usually a bit away from the hum drum of the city so it’s always better to pack extra.

We also got chips and cold drinks with bottled water because finger foods are great to munch during the games. Now you can of course cook ahead and pack everything or you can get ingredients for grilling and utilize the park grills to prepare foods then and there. Take some chocolate or cookies to complete the meal or olives and cheese with crackers if you are carrying wine. If you are going with friends, potluck is a good idea because then everyone will be bringing something and you will have lots of different options.

We enjoyed the leftovers of the picnic the next day (From top right: Sushi, Chinese – noodles and chicken with rangoon and egg roll, some Indian – biryani with chicken 65 and a cheese chicken sandwich)

Take a cooler:

You know what sets off the mood? When the water and cold drinks are not chilled enough. So, take a cooler and make sure to fill it with lots of ice. This is also great at the end of the day when you have leftovers. Just wrap the food items in a plastic bag and put them inside the cooler.

Silverware or Plastic?

If you are going on a romantic date then taking good quality silverware, dishes and napkins is a good idea. Personally I always prefer to take everything plastic so that I don’t have to worry about washing the dirty dishes after coming home. So, plastic cups, fork, spoons, knives, paper plates and towels are a big Yes on my list. Use them to eat and then throw them out. Just one less thing to worry about after coming home.

Plan the activities:

When you are going with friends I think it’s again a good idea to ask everyone to bring something. Music is a must, nothing sets the mood like some good music. Board games and cards are great. Softballs and Frisbees are fun and everyone can take rounds playing them. If you don’t want to do a lot of physical activity, take a book with you. It’s always good to plan the activities as per your interest and the company.

Take a tote bag or picnic box:

Well, you will be carrying a lot of stuff so it’s a good idea to keep them together and organized so that they are easier to find. Tote bags are great to carry the blankets and pillows from the car to the picnic spot. You can of course take a smaller bag for keeping the paper towels, cups and spoons etc.

Extra but essential items:

Don’t let the fear of insects stop you from enjoying a carefree day, take some insect repellant with you. Also sunscreen and sunglasses are a must whenever you are outside. I also recommend to take a small first aid kit with a few band aids and any necessary medications you feel like taking. Trash bags are very important. I always transfer the empty bottles and boxes straightaway in the trash bags so that we don’t have to devote extra time for clean up later on. Also, always take a bottle opener with you, walking around with a chilled bottle in hand and nothing to open it with is just disappointing.

Above all, enjoy! If you have forgotten something, there is nothing to do about it so improvise. It’s one day away from home so try not to be too engaged with your phones, keep the texting and emailing to a minimum. Don’t fret about the grocery list or whether you have switched off the fan. Just play games, eat good food and enjoy the nature while listening to your favorite music.