(originally written Aug 12, 2006; updated periodically since then).

I can still see my Gramma loading up the picnic basket for a special trip to one of our beautiful midwestern parks, back when I was a little girl in Iowa. Iced tea, potato salad, chocolate cake, apple pie, all homemade and yummy.

Do people still go on picnics?

When my kids were younger, they could rarely be cajoled into a full fledged picnic. Today when I think picnic, I think of a romantic date with my husband. Here are some of the places I suggest you shop for a nice bite, followed by some good picnic spots.

To make it special, load a basket with dishes, flatware and cloth napkins. Add a pretty tablecloth or blanket and then start thinking about what kind of food to add.

If you are going for a BREAKFAST picnic, get some Danish or sticky buns or muffins at Pangaea in downtown Prescott on Goodwin, about a half a block west of the courthouse plaza – right next to the big parking garage on Granite. If you’re going at lunch time their artisan breads will make an unforgettable sandwich (or just order one of their sandwiches). For a lovely evening picnic, just buy a loaf of their wonderfully crusty bread to go with a nice bottle of wine and some cheese. Don’t forget dessert – they have lots to choose from (generous portions, too!) Yummmmm.

You might like to grab a bagel from Olde Worlde Bagels in the Park Plaza downtown on Goodwin, or a sandwich from the Liquor Store Deli right next door. Some people love the sandwiches at Scouts out on Iron Springs Road, right adjacent to Baskin Robbins.

Now then, take your picnic basket (you don’t have one?!! Go get one!) and your favorite person to one of these spots:

• Acker Park (South Virginia Street)
• Sharlot Hall Museum (right downtown) grounds – there’s a gazebo, beautiful landscaping, and picnic tables scattered here and there. Lovely.
• Granite Basin Recreation Area (a few miles outside town off Iron Springs Road – charges a fee for day use)
• Goldwater Lake (out Senator Highway, just a few miles south of town)
• Granite Creek Park (you can see it from the North Montezuma bridge, to get to it go around the block to 6th street)
• Thumb Butte Park (take Gurley west until it curves and becomes Thumb Butte Road – continue until you see the picnic area)
• Heritage Park Zoo (out Willow Creek Road a few miles north)
• Best of all might be the Courthouse Plaza (right in the middle of downtown) where people watching is the best activity of all, and it’s FREE!