Picnic Packin?

eudaimonia*

Picnic Packin’By Wendy O. Dixon

Part of the fun of going to the beach is enjoying a meal while relishing the great outdoors. Before you dip your toes in the sand, planning for the perfect picnic will make your outing a real day at the beach.

First, consider how you’re going to carry the food. A picnic basket is an option (Picnic Time’s Barrel-Botanica is pictured, picnictime.com), as is a tote. But the picnic backpack has become a popular choice. Shaped similar to a regular backpack it holds dinnerware and utensils, including a corkscrew, dividers and pockets, which makes keeping everything in place a cinch. Most cost under $70 and can be purchased at Bass Pro Shops, Pier 1 Imports, Orvis and some major department stores.

The Emerald Coast has no shortage of hot picnic spots. The Landing Park and Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach and Calhoun Park on Choctawhatchee Bay in Destin are all ideal and offer easy access. For a pretty view, dine on the top of the tower at Ed Walline Park. And picnics are always nice on the green in any of the beach communities. Pick your favorite — Seaside Amphitheatre, WaterColor Western Green or Rosemary Beach Western Green.

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