At last, a welcome break from the oppressive heat. When the humidity becomes too much, I head where the air is cooler and the views are grand: up into the mountains.
What does that have to do with food? Plenty. For the next few days our meals will follow a travel-friendly pattern: lots of sandwiches made for hiking and picnics as we set off to explore Acadia National Park in Maine.
If you haven’t been to Acadia, put it on your list. It’s become one of our favorite escapes, about a six-hour drive north from Boston. We can’t wait for the trails and the classic outdoor meals that go with them — simple, delicious, and easy to carry.
Our picnic bags are always full of treats: prosciutto, ripe avocados, smoked salmon, crisp vegetables, brioche, sourdough, a selection of cheeses, and other small delights. Everything is chosen to be flavorful, portable, and satisfying after a day of hiking.
And of course we packed a bottle of Lillet to enjoy a small apéritif while watching the sunset over the ocean. There’s something special about sipping a chilled aperitif at the end of a hike, when the day cools and the sky softens.
As we say in French, “Après l’effort, le réconfort” — after the effort, the comfort. Those simple pleasures make the hikes even more memorable.
A bientôt! When I return I’ll share the second part of my ladyfingers story, as promised. In the meantime, enjoy the long weekend and savor the idea of a well-packed picnic on a mountain trail.