Suggestions for packing lunches and getting your own cold drinks

Kevinj,

That is a good time to go. Crowds should be light and the weather good (though that doesn't really matter as you can retreat to the cabin/cottage for awhile if it starts to rain...and then return to an empty park :) )

MrScott

I completely agree about Lighthouse Point. As a kid we stayed at Camper Village, then we stayed at the Breakers and Sandcastle for many years. After Lighthouse opened, I thought it became the best place to stay. We go there almost every time, except when it's booked. The cottages have a perfect location, and we always bring steak/burgers/etc. to grill along with a cooler of pop and beer. It's a great place to crash and make your own cheap food. There's even microwaves. Even though I'm only an hour and a half away, I've become so accustomed to staying at least 1 night there that a day trip seems incomplete.

Jeremy Sell,

But after a 3 day stay, I've had all the FUN I can handle. Getting to old, I guess.

MrScott

my picnic area strategy requires a little work but i'm not lazy so i don't mind. i also can't eat park food every time because of its taste, quality, grease and fat content. i became tired of eating cold lunches and dinners in the shelters. the charcoal grills are not my cup of tea, either. i finally realized why not use the electrical outlets that are all over the shelters. on sunday, i used my george foreman grill and made hot sandwiches. this past winter, i bought the smallest microwave oven i could find and have a small, wheeled dolley thing to transport it. now i can whip up my own lasagna, rigitoni, subs, soups or any other homemade delight and reheat it in the shelters. i might lose 20 minutes of my day going back and forth to the van, but so what. now i'm eating quality, homemade food and not paying an arm and a leg for park food.