Picnicking in Autumn
Picnics aren't just for summertime!
As summer comes to an end and the crisp, cool air of fall begins to flow in, we tend to want to spend a lot more time outdoors before the cold of winter arrives. Sitting on your porch drinking some warm apple cider is a great way to enjoy the autumn air, but take it a step further and have a nice, elegant meal under the colorful trees. Plan a fall picnic for you and your loved ones today, and ensure that you get a chance to truly enjoy this wonderful season.
Take pleasure in the fruits of the fall harvest. Plan a meal around succulent fall staples such as apples, pomegranates, acorn squash or pumpkin. If you have an apple orchard nearby, you could plan an apple picking picnic, with some delicious warm picnic food waiting to reward you for your efforts. You could fill a thermos with some hot chili or soup to warm you up after walking around in the cool autumn air, and pair it with crusty rolls or cornbread. Oatmeal raisin cookies and fresh apple tarts can finish off a perfect al fresco meal. Recipezaar has an entire section devoted to fall picnic meal ideas. Pack it all in a picnic pack such as the Sierra Picnic Backpack for 2, pictured, which has all the trimmings for a perfect picnic in a convenient backpack that can be taken anywhere.
Plan some activities that make the most of the season. You could take a scenic drive through a tree-filled valley, admiring the changing leaves and stopping on an inviting hill to savor your meal. You might want to do some online research to find out when fall foliage peaks in your area, to ensure that you don't miss out on nature's show. Choosing a weekday for your trip will help you avoid the crowds of fall foliage tourists that are sure to be passing through your area if you live in a part of the country where it is particularly scenic. You could also visit a local travel agency to get information about quaint towns near you that may be offering old fashioned autumn activities such as cornfield mazes, pumpkin picking or apple festivals. These are all excellent pastimes to plan a picnic around.
