Hello friends! Today I want to share some pretty pictures from a picnic at a local state park. Instead of attending crowded restaurants during certain holidays we prefer to journey to remote locations. What did you do for Father’s Day? We chose to have a family picnic on a mountain top.
We actually started this tradition when the Masterpiece children were little, providing them space to play and explore. This was much more enjoyable than having them sit still at a restaurant, which is always a ticking time bomb before they became antsy and whiny.
This was my solution years ago when Mister M had a hectic business travel schedule, and I wanted him to decompress on the day which honored him. This spot has a beautiful vista with a great tree for shade and a built in stone grill. It use to also have a picnic table, but it has been removed since we were here last.
It’s been a few years since we’ve made this our Father’s Day celebration, and I guess some things have changed. Through the years we have brought different family and friends and this latest outing did not disappoint. Come see how pretty and relaxing the day was.
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Picnic Preparation and Preparedness
Proper planning and preparedness for a picnic will elevate and make the experience super special. Here are some tips I followed for our picnic on a mountain top.
Menu
The choice of food and drink can be homemade, store bought or combination of both. The key is to bring all the tools, condiments and accessories in order to enjoy everything. For example since we were using the park’s built in grill (sorry I did not take a picture), Mr. M made sure to bring charcoal, matches, grill tools etc. so he could cook the steak.
I brought plates, bowls, glasses, etc., making sure everything was outdoor friendly and not breakable. Wooden pieces and enamelware are my favorite to use in this type of environment. These were our appetizers. We had a tri tip steak (Mr. M is a big meat guy), homemade potato salad and a mix green salad. For dessert we had mini lemon bunt cakes and fresh strawberries, but we were all pretty stuffed when dessert rolled around.
Comfort
We had camping chairs for everyone, but I also brought some throw floor pillows for additional comfy seating. Blankets are also great for additional seating or to use for warmth if necessary. We had a beautiful day with a slight wind, which kept us all cool enough in the sunshine. We also brought a speaker to play music to set the party vibes.
It was unfortunate the picnic table has been removed since that’s where we usually ate our meal. I brought the portable outdoor table, which we use for appetizers, but we ate our main meal sitting at our camping chairs, which was fine but something to keep in mind for next time.
Safety
A first aid kit is always a good thing to have in any type of excursion. I actually have a kit in my car, which I started toting when my kids were littles. They are now 21 and 18 and they are the reason for the season on Father’s day. ?
Always make sure you have plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also you are in nature so be aware of any critters and animals that might be in the space and respect their “home”. Sunscreen and bug spray are also good things to bring along.
Prettiness
I wanted the experience to be extra special so I brought details like the flowers and the table linens and floor pillows to elevate the experience. These are not your normal picnic or camping items, but why not?
The hydrangeas are from our backyard and I’m so happy hydrangea season has arrived! Here’s a table design from a few years ago {a Father’s Day tablescape}. You will see plenty of hydrangeas around here soon. Stay tuned!
Cleanliness
Always make sure to keep the area as clean as you found it or better. I always bring a garbage bag to accumulate all our waste and then discard it in an appropriate receptacle. Paper towels and a roll of toilet paper are always good things to bring as well.
Something I did not bring this trip, but I wish I had, was an extra plastic bag to enclose all the dirty dishes to bring home to clean properly.
A Picnic on a Mountain Top is always a Good Idea
This is Mount Diablo State Park in the Bay Area of Northern California. We are lucky enough to live 10-15 minutes away. We actually have views of Mount Diablo from our home.
The latest member of the family to make Mr. M a “dad” again thoroughly enjoyed the day. Meet Misty and I will give her her own post soon.
What did you do for Father’s Day? Hope you enjoyed some valuable family time. Maybe you’ll enjoy a picnic on a mountain top next year. ?
Things you could use for a Picnic
- This camping table is similar to the one we used for the appetizers.
- Comfortable chairs are key, this camping chair looks fabulous and I love the look of these portable outdoor lounge chairs.
- I’m tempted to get some of these cushions for outdoor use and excursions like this.
- How great is this portable blanket and at a great price too.
- This is a fabulously complete camping tabletop set.
- Talk about taking the outdoors in style, this picnic set is beyond.
“There’s no pillow quite so soft as a father’s strong shoulder.”
Richard L. Evans