Do you pack a picnic for traveling?

[emily_hope]

We are leaving next Sunday for New Mexico. We thought we would pack some foods to eat for lunches while we are on the road. What types of foods do you pack for a picnic?

[Lady_V]

For road trips I have a '5 day cooler' so I have taken cold cuts, cheeses, drinks, hot dogs, pasta, fruits, salad...

popcorn, pretzels, crackers -- along with a jar of peanut butter for in-car snacking.

If you can travel at a leisurely pace, take a portable grill with you. Some rest areas have stationary grills... but I never use them... I have a thing about germs I put my grill ON theirs

[xtena]

We are leaving next Sunday for New Mexico. We thought we would pack some foods to eat for lunches while we are on the road. What types of foods do you pack for a picnic?

String or sliced cheese; sliced veggies; grape/cherry tomatoes; crackers; peanut butter; homemade rolls; lunch meat or cold chicken to make sandwiches (we don't make 'em up in advance as they tend to get soggy); grapes; apples; bananas (really any fruit that isn't too messy, no oranges!). We also take some junky treats (cheetos, barbecue chips, other such things that we don't eat often at home). Maybe some homemade cookies, granola bars, etc. I'd even take some homemade granola for breakfast and carry some powdered milk to mix up on the road (if you can stand it; I happen to like the stuff but I know lots of people don't). I usually freeze up some bottles of water or koolaid to put in the cooler in lieu of ice cubes; we drink them as they melt. Carry LOTS of extra water.

Have a great time!

[Odilia]

I pack snacks and/or meals for just about any trip where we're going to be gone longer than an hour or two. What I pack depends on what I have on hand.

Hard-boiled eggs
Egg salad sandwiches
Raw cut up veggies
Raw whole fruits or fruit salad
Pasta or potato salad
Ground meat sandwiches (when I have leftover roast or chicken, I grind the meat and add pickle relish and mayo to make a sandwich filling)
Cheeses (I make cheese, so I've always got several varieties on hand)
Homemade cookies, crackers, muffins, quick breads, soft pretzels, bread sticks, etc...

Water and milk (freeze containers 1/2 full of either and fill before we leave). We don't a lot of juice, but sometimes I'll get 100% juice boxes for a treat. I can our own fruit juices but only rarely bother filling containers for trips -- it's easier to pack bananas, grapes, apples, etc...

Have a great trip!

[halloweenfreak]

[QUOTE=xtena;905559] I usually freeze up some bottles of water or koolaid to put in the cooler in lieu of ice cubes; we drink them as they melt. Carry LOTS of extra water.

QUOTE]


what an excellent idea. i'll have to remember that when we leave next week.

[emily_hope]

Thanks for all the suggestons you guys!

[Rosebush3]

A lot of great ideas! I have a little cooler for my vehicle that plugs into the cigarette lighter thing and keeps food refrigerated. Well, in theory, I have yet to try it. With food prices as they are now, long trips for me will be accompanied by packed lunches instead of eating out. I would probably make some wraps, love those.
While I do love hard boiled eggs and egg sandwiches, I'm thinking they might not work on a road trip - if you know what I mean. Would be a lot of riding with the windows down I think, especially if there are several in the car.

[emily_hope]

While I do love hard boiled eggs and egg sandwiches, I'm thinking they might not work on a road trip - if you know what I mean. Would be a lot of riding with the windows down I think, especially if there are several in the car.

LOL.... that cracked me up!

[cab54]

Yes, especially when raising our boys, but even now with just dh and me.

I make sandwiches, put in apples, granola bars or something like that, nuts maybe. Sometimes bake cookies. Something to drink. I usually don't like to drink much, I can't pull over to the side of the road and go into the bushes to ---ahem---urinate, like the guys do, so, maybe a little coffe in the thermos, not much.

[perSue]

YAY! I LOVE picnics (sorry for all the caps) LOL

okay, some of these i make/buy a day or two in advance, and i try for finger foods for ease... but here goes:

pb crackers
jelly roll - dessert
jelly roll - pizza (use pizza crust, toppings, roll, bake)
bread rolls/buns (for sammies), w/veg, cheese, meats
fresh fruit, veg, dips/dressings
brownies, muffins, cupcakes
sandwich spreads
pasta salads
hard boil eggs
nuts/seeds
trail mix
cereals
crackers/pretzals/chips
drinks/bottles/juices

you name it! LOL

hope this helps

[Droppedonmyhead]

Always!! I pack a cooler full of drinks (non-alcoholic of course). I pack some fried chicken. . . peeled, hard boiled eggs. . .cheeses. . .bananas. . .apples. . .sandwiches. . .chips. . .brownies. Something that travels well and is ready when I reach for it is great. And don't forget paper napkins and wipies to clean your hands.

[pollypurebred39]

We often bring homemade fried chicken, good hot or cold.A big bowl salad and some homemade dressing. Some fruit or vegetable sticks to snack on in the car. A thermos of iced tea. A gallon of frozen water.

I also bring plates, sivlerware, cups, a table cloth, a roll of paper towels and wipes in case we don't have a bathroom nearby to wash up.

We keep a look out for a park or a rest stop with picnic tables. It's good to get out and stretch our legs and let the kids burn up their pent up energy. Then sit down to a relaxing home cooked meal.

[pollypurebred39]

Lori,

Too funny, we must be on the same wave length!

Polly

[emily_hope]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We leave Sunday for our trip. I have plenty of ideas now to choose from.

[fernykins]

Yep when ever I go on any trip I pack stuff to eat. We slways took chips, cookies, fruit, bread,pb & j,lots to drink......... With 7 kids eatting out was never a good thing.
Fern