We're Going on a Picnic

BY ARIELLE BYWATER SIMONE

A picnic is, by definition, a carpe diem kind of affair: it works best with a certain amount of spontaneity. And when you live in a place where the weather is cold, rainy or buggy much of the year, you learn to carpe the heck out of the rare sunny diems you get. Herewith, a guide to making the most of precious picnic-perfect days in the Midcoast.

First, you’ll need a basket: a nice, sturdy basket made of natural materials and big enough to hold a family-sized feast. Fortunately for you, Maine is the perfect place to find one. The People of the First Light—the Wabanaki tribes—have long held basketmaking as one of their premier arts, and thanks to the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, this traditional craft is enjoying a resurgence, taught by traditional apprenticeship to the younger people of the tribes. Their artistry can be found at the website of the Wabanaki Marketplace, among other places. At the Belfast Farmers Market, look for the Hubbard Brook Farm & Baskets booth for more handwoven options—plus some yummy local breads, jams, chicken salad and other goodies to fill it with. Find hand-crafted cutlery and napkins at Conklin’s Maine Mercantile, so that your picnic basket goods can also become heirlooms.

Next, you’ll need provisions. Assuming you haven’t stocked up completely at the Friday Belfast Farmers Market or the Saturday United Farmers Market in town—both of which offer a gorgeous array of seasonal produce, cured meats, cookies and other picnic-ready items— you’ll want to venture elsewhere. Below are some ideas to get you started.

Is your picnic going to be of the high-end, grown-up, maybe-I’ll-pop-the-question variety? If so, Dot’s near Lincolnville Beach may be the place for you, where mouth-watering sandwiches, quiches and grain salads are artfully displayed alongside fine wines, luxury chocolate bars and imported olives. Or stop by Eat More Cheese for sumptuous gourmet dairy, a bit of pate and a jar of wholegrain mustard; then drop in at Chase’s Daily next door for a fresh-baked crown loaf on which to spread your soft brie.

If, however, you are hoping to feed a horde of hungry teens, you may want to order a bunch of hearty take-out wraps at Bay Wrap. With exotic and delicious combinations such as the spicy pulled-pork Carnitas Way, the curry peanut and chicken To Thai For or the veggie chili Texans Nightmare, you can be sure no one will go hungry, and all are securely tucked into foil blankets for safe transport.

But if you are planning a big family reunion kind of picnic, maybe you’ll do best to place a to-go order from Bell the Cat. The recently relocated locals’ favorite has something for everyone, and specializes in perfect sandwiches on locally baked Borealis bread. Their menu includes everything from the most scrumptious turkey-bacon melt you’ll ever eat to a classic Reuben to PB&J for the kiddos, plus tempting jars full of classic cookies and lots of icy drinks in the cooler.

PHOTOS: RACHEL EPPERLY

If by chance, after all these stops, you are still missing that one specific treat for your basket—be it guacamole or smoked salmon, a pint of berries or a bottle of Chardonnay—they will have it at the Belfast Co-op. Be sure to check out the deli case, which often carries ready-to-eat salads, chicken and other delicacies that can be easily packed up and handed over.

Now all you need is a place to picnic. And it couldn’t be easier to find one: Waldo County is loaded with beautiful al fresco options. From town parks to secluded backwoods spots, this area is rich in pastoral splendor.

Some of our favorites? If you're looking for lovely and well-maintained parks, spread your blanket out on the little beach at Swan Lake State Park in Frankfort—or at peaceful Mosman Park in Searsport, complete with playground and water views. Historic Fort Knox in Prospect allows you to pair your slice of pie with a tour of the fascinating grounds and the nearby Penobscot Narrows Observatory. You’ll likely have the place to yourself at the picnic tables tucked away by the Fort Point Light in Stockton Springs.

For those who feel they have to earn the rewards in their baskets, walk the serene trails of Sears Island to find your own little cove or bit of grass where you can settle in and watch for birds. Or spend an hour on the water with

Come Boating, Belfast’s all-volunteer and free-to-the-public community rowing organization, and take it easy after you’re back on land at Belfast Commons, more often known as “Chicken Hill.” If you plan to organize a whole day around your picnic, make it a great one at Lake St. George in Liberty, where you can grill, swim and paddleboat to your heart’s content.

Whether the picnic of your dreams is a relaxing, low-key affair or an allday, action-packed excursion, there’s no better way to capitalize on the combination of first-rate nature and nourishment available in Waldo County. So put your basket by the door and be ready to head out as soon as Mother Nature cooperates!

PHOTO: RACHEL EPPERLY

Cheers!

STOCKTON SPRINGS MARGARITA, THE HICHBORN

Start with a tequila beloved by Latino kitchen staff. Add top-shelf triple sec, kick things up a notch with locally grown chiles and drop in wild blueberries pickled on site in rice vinegar. It’s a sweet-salty-sour mix that also describes the vibe at this accessibly glamorous farm-totable restaurant: smooth, but with an elegant edge. As co-owner and chef Charlie Zorich says, “Our goal is to keep one foot in the past, acknowledging the rich history of this place, and one foot in the future, with modern takes on design, food and drink.”

EXPLORE

Bay Wrap, Belfast thebaywrap.com

Belfast Commons, Belfast cityofbelfast.org/Facilities/Facility/ Details/Belfast-Common-2

Belfast Co-op, Belfast belfast.coop

Bell the Cat, Belfast bellthecatinc.com

Belfast Farmers Market, Belfast belfastfarmersmarket.org

Come Boating, Belfast comeboating.org

Conklin’s Maine Mercantile, Belfast conklinsmainemercantile.com

Dot’s, Lincolnville Beach dotsinmaine.com

Eat More Cheese, Belfast eatmorecheese.me

Fort Knox, Prospect fortknoxmaine.com

Fort Point Light, Stockton Springs mainetourism.com/listing/ fort-point-light/2162

Lake St. George, Liberty maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/ lakestgeorge_trail_conditions.shtml

Sears Island, Searsport friendsofsearsisland.org

Swan Lake State Park, Frankfort maine.gov/dacf/parksearch/ PropertyGuides/PDF_GUIDE/ SwanLake.pdf

United Farmers Market, Belfast belfastmarket.com

Wabanaki Marketplace, Orono Wabanakimarketplace.com