487260 Thu Feb 07 10:31:33 -0800 2008 9 6 Southwest 0 3373819 Okay guys...my apologies for this not being a completely "restaurant" related question...but hey...it is "food" related! I'm planning a special day for my boyfriend and I on the Saturday after Valentine's Day (since it's on a Thursday). We're starting our day with breakfast and massages. I would love to find a really awesome spot for a picnic...any ideas?? And equally important...any good picnic recipe ideas? I'd say we're both pretty much meat and potatoes-type people. I've done my adventurous eating (eel, alligator, ostrich, etc.) and I'd just like some yummy, easy ideas. Thank you all in advance! Thu Feb 07 10:31:33 -0800 2008 129060 seatonytoaz 1 3373929 I'd go to South Mountain and head west along the ridge starting at the saddle/pass just below the radio towers. A 20- or 30-minute walk is all it usually takes to get to a nice peaceful spot with a view. Thu Feb 07 10:57:12 -0800 2008 3373819 86822 hohokam 2 3373951 We live in the Ahwatukee Foothills and I can see the towers from our house....this is close by, correct? I just moved from Tempe, so still getting my bearings over here... Thu Feb 07 11:05:10 -0800 2008 3373929 129060 seatonytoaz 3 3374098 The pass (Telegraph Pass) more or less parallels the 7th St alignment. If you are feeling especially vigorous you could hike up the draw from Desert Foothills Blvd (in your neighborhood) and find a spot in the little valley that lies below and southwest of the radio towers or continue up to the aforementioned ridge. This is what I would like, but I can understand how it wouldn't be everyone's (or even most people's) cup of tea. Thu Feb 07 11:40:30 -0800 2008 3373951 86822 hohokam 4 3374105 that actually sounds great to me! thank you for the advice! Thu Feb 07 11:41:50 -0800 2008 3374098 129060 seatonytoaz 5 3374342 No problem. If you're still seeking recipes, I'd recommend heading over to the Home Cooking board. Thu Feb 07 12:45:42 -0800 2008 3374105 86822 hohokam 6 3375720 This may get moved, but I would also recommend South Mountain and perhaps a stop for lunch atop a small mountain or in the stone ramada. Roast beef, blue cheese crumbles, crisp romaine leaves fill a large tortilla/wrap/roll that is spread with horseradish mayo (mix horseradish & mayo to taste), wrap tight in plastic or wax paper and slice into 2, wrap again to be air tight (can make 1 whole for each person or a half for each) and pack with an orange (in season and delicious right now!), salt and pepper or salt and vinegar potato chips, bottles of water and homemade cookies and hearts are melting... :) Have fun! Thu Feb 07 20:05:05 -0800 2008 3374342 52195 HomeCookKirsten 7 3375887 Yummy!! Blue cheese and roast beef are one of my favorite combos. And your name is Kirsten (mine is too!)...you must know what you are talking about. :) Thu Feb 07 21:16:32 -0800 2008 3375720 129060 seatonytoaz 4 3374643 There is actually a really cool stone ramada complete with a grill off of one of the trails...accessing dusty memories...I believe it's off of the Telegraph Pass trail, you park off of Desert Foothills Blvd north of Chandler Rd. When the trail ends at a road, you fork off to the right, and I believe it's about 20 minutes from there. Someone else actually know what I'm talking about? Thu Feb 07 13:58:49 -0800 2008 3374098 95577 yamalam 5 3374661 Googled it, check this out. http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/viewTrip.aspx?tripId=8328# Here's a good pic, it's very pretty. http://homepage.mac.com/i/hpti/1/wimg/Shared/SlideShow/SlideShow.html?lang=en Thu Feb 07 14:02:58 -0800 2008 3374643 95577 yamalam