There are a number of good reasons to shirk the amenities of modern conveniences, but none better than partaking of the bounty of the earth while surrounded by the beauty of the out-of-doors. Once however, we leave behind the safety of shelter, refrigeration, and running water a modicum of good sense is necessary. In other words, if you plan on taking your victuals on the road, it is best to practice the boy scout motto: be prepared.

Food Safety:
Because of the warm weather, and how much time we like to spend outside, food spoilage is a real threat on hikes and during picnics. Here are a few good rules, to help reduce the possibility of ptomaine poisoning:

• Two hours
It’s a tight timeframe, but perishables are only supposed to be left at room temperature for two hours, one hour if the temperature is above 90. The “danger zone” for harmful bacteria to multiply is temperatures between 40 and 140ºF, so if no ice source is available move quickly.

• Safe Foods
Cut your fruits and vegetables at the picnic site to reduce the opportunities of contamination. Be careful of meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products, though dried meats and many cheeses can travel well. Freeze juice boxes to help keep things cool.

• Be Clean
Follow the old rule of washing your hands before you prepare and eat food, and don’t cross-contaminate—wash your cutting boards and utensils (or use separate) for the foods that will be cooked (meats, etc) and those that are not (breads, etc). Take a package of hand wipes along, you can use them for cuts and abrasions, as well as clean up before and after eating.

Beat it, bugs:
The perennial pest of the picnic is clearly the ant, but yellow-jackets sometimes provide more than annoyance and come with a sting.

• Ants
Ants have great smell and can tell lots of their friends quickly that you have brought food. Clean up your spills and move if you see an ant –that is, if they bother you. Ants are fastidious at cleanliness and do not carry disease.

• Picnic Beetles
Gross! They eat decaying matter. Move at least 50 feet away from the garbage cans and you should be fine. They do have wings, so you might find them on the berries. Just rinse before eating if possible, otherwise pick them off.

• Yellow Jackets
These guys mean business. You can bring a trap, or avoid the high-sugar foods, meat and produce – oh that’s everything. Your best bet is to keep food covered and watch any can beverages for uninvited intruders.

Watch your footing, and your fluid balance:
Though probably safer than your afternoon commute, the out-of-doors presents different health challenges. Clearly, there are scrapes and sprains, insect bites, the occasional snake bite, and bad food to be wary of, but heat is also an insidious threat.

• Drink Lots
The old saying is: I don’t drink any more. Of course, I don’t drink any less either. Actually, you need to stay away from an excessive amount of alcohol, caffeinated and high-sugar drinks (probably in general) but certainly while hiking. A good rule of thumb is three to four quarts of water a day for the average person during hot weather backpacking; two to three during fall and spring backpacking.

Dehydration is easier to prevent than treat.

• Heat Illnesses
Heat Illnesses can become life threatening emergencies. An elevated body temperature that is due to the body’s inability to dissipate heat and/or because of decreased fluid levels can move from a mild problem to a severe problem very quickly. It is appropriate to learn the symptoms of heat illnesses and aggressively treat them.

From ordinary to extraordinary:
Whether you are getting together with your friends, family, and loved ones on the trails of the wine country hills or on the path of life, these events are the things memories are made of: A wonderful sunset, the smells of the coastal hills, the satisfaction of the food after physical effort. Don’t forget to take your pocket knife, your corkscrew, and a good attitude; and if you really are a boy scout practice the scout slogan: do a good turn daily. Cheers.