Words That Play

Sunny days, blue skies and green grassy lawns begging to be lounged on are the palette for the quintessential summer picnic—add in the red rock vistas of Sedona and you’ve got a masterpiece in the making. Here are seven of Sedona’s best places to nosh in nature—from enclaves along rugged trails, lands preserved for historical and natural edification to traditional manicured public parks—they’re all so jaw-droppingly good, you might have to remind yourself to chew. Leave your coffee pot behind when you breakfast on Brins Mesa Trail, but bring plenty of water. Conveniently located on the edge of town, with goo d parking at the end of Park Ridge Drive, th is six-mile out and back trek trades the shade for vast vistas—including Coffee Pot Rock, Wilson Mountain, Chimney Rock and more. Go early during summer months and brunch at the flat-rock ledge near the end of the trail while taking in the rewarding view and appreciating the effort you made to get there (though moderately rated,...

Grab those little wooden mallets, because it’s time to chase down the delicate, sweet seafood flavor of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and in Kent County , Maryland the supply is plentiful, and the tradition of celebrating the season is lively. Callinectes sapidus or “beautiful, savory swimmers” have shades of blue mainly on their legs and claws, and some specimens, though rare, are entirely blue. No matter the amount of blue, these crabs harvested from the Chesapeake Bay promise a sweet, delicate meat that’s neither briny nor mealy. Blue crabs are smaller than Dungeness crabs, but when it comes to flavor, size doesn’t matter. Some of the sweetest meat comes from smaller crabs (more proof that good things come in small packages). You might work a bit more for those delicate morsels, but that’s part of the fun—an unhurried, communal meal that keeps us gathered at the table enjoying great food, good drink and memorable conversation. Crack. Shuck. Savor. The locals will t...