PicnicTime!

   Two of my great loves- and two top reasons to live in Fort Collins- the outdoors and food. So any opportunity to combine them are a much welcomed treat. Whether it’s outdoor dining in Old Town, roasting hot dogs over a campfire up Poudre Canyon or simply eating a home cooked meal on the patio- eating outside just makes the experience all the better.
  So of course a picnic should be an activity we do often… but I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time we went on an actual picnic. I’m talking the  blanket, a basket, a line of marching ants, the whole nine yards. So as we continue to see the days get a little warmer, I think it’s time to start taking lunch to the ground- or at least to a table with benches- and maybe we can forgo the ants… and I’m O.K. if we trade in the basket for a reusable shopping bag. I guess I’m flexible on the details after all.
  To begin my search for the best picnic locales why not start with a spot with picnic in it’s very name- Picnic Rock.
  So now I must admit something.  As much as we have explored Poudre Canyon, we  have always had our sights set a little higher so- believe it or not- I’ve never actually been to the popular swimming area made famous by an annual summer festival and a 2004 wildfire. It usually looks crowded and that really isn’t our thing.
  However, on this particularly warm Thursday in March, it was pretty much empty. With family in town we decided to go all out and get sandwiches from Backcountry Delicatessen (they  apparently dropped the ‘Provisions’ from their name but are still delicious although a bit pricy.) But I did remember to pack a classic PB&J for the little one- no need to shell out good money for someone else to slather peanut butter and jelly on some bread although I’m sure they do a fine job of it.
  After the short drive to the first pull off in the canyon, we claimed a table and braved a bit of wind. It was good to hear the river again. I forget how much I miss it when we are hibernating in our winter routine. The effects of the fire are everywhere, black soot lines the banks, black trees dot the hilltops but its still beautiful even when brown and a little charred.
  Layla still loves to explore and get a little dirty (phew!) and especially loves to throw rocks in the river with her Nanny.
  Just like our favorite close camping spots, it’s good to have a close, easily accessible picnic spot on the river to get your fix, but I think we’ll pass Picnic Rock next time in exchange for a little more elevation and more impressive scenery. At least now I can I say I’ve been, and we successfully broke the seal on many more outdoor meals to come this season.