Hour drive or a 15 minute drive for a date?

I am all for the adventure of the hour drive. It will lend an air of novelty to the date.

Bring an ice chest and put the food on ice,

I think the fact that it’s her first time there with you will be what makes it special. If it’s a nice spot, and especially if you’ve got some hot food, I’d say go to the closer one.

Spending time with you will mean more to her than where you go. I can be guilty of over-thinking these things, too, when really, good food with someone you love is what is important.

You do what SHE want’s to do. ;-)

@ChazMaz sad but true haha

Get a insulated pack that will keep food warm and to the one she hasn’t been to before unless she says she really likes the closer one.

Why can I never meet any guys that think like @ChazMaz ?

I would prefer farther one and no hot food. If you make a picnic solely of cold foods, you can pack them in an ice chest, and everything will be as it should be when you arrive. You could do something like pasta salad, fruit, sandwiches, and cheesecake. You could make the sandwiches special by going to a bakery and getting quality bread. If it’s not going to be a warm enough day for cold foods to be enjoyable, and you don’t think you will be able to keep hot foods warm enough, you could wait a few weeks for this and do a different date in the meantime. Though, if you’re not trying to make this a surprise, you could just ask her what she would prefer.

Can you check with her and ask which is her preference? I think that would be the nicest thing to do.

Ask her which she would rather do.