Ok, I am back to answer my own question.
I emailed a good friend who has experience with this and here's what he sent me. I thought I would post it in case it might be helpful for other mamas looking to do the same thing.
We're also considering using our kayak. I am still researching the logistics, but it seems we MIGHT be able to hike OR kayak out to the sights. So we're considering sending one adult in the kayak with either heavier gear or with DS and some other gear to ease the load.
Here is the food info:
"I read the rules that say you can cook over a fire so don't carry a stove. Just apply dish soap to the outside of your pots with a little toilet paper before cooking. The soot will bake onto the soap and clean up will be a breeze. If you don't do this getting the soot off will be difficult to impossible. Trust me on this one - personal experience.
Few cans or glass bottles. Both are heavy
Breakfast
- oatmeal with added raisins, dried apple chunks, nuts like almonds, sunflower seeds etc. whatever. Powdered milk + brown sugar. Crystal Light is the lightest beverage flavoring if Z. doesn't drink lots of plain water
- pancakes. Buy a mix that doesn't require milk or eggs to be added. Take a small amount of syrup in a small plastic bottle; don't take the whole bottle. Take cooking oil in a film cannister. That is enough for 1 - 2 meals that require frying like pancakes
- you can now buy precooked bacon that doesn't require refrigeration. Nice addition to the pancakes; just heat and serve
- bagels and jam. Toast bagels if you want.
Lunches
- hard cheeses will survive quite happily if kept in the shade. waxed goudas, cheddar, etc. No Brie
- dry sausages and salamis also don't require refrigeration
- crackers to serve your sausage and cheese on. Rye crisps are sturdy as are Stone Wheat Thins. No Ritz crap that will be powder in 20 minutes
- small rye breads are also durable and keep well in the heat
- 1 can tuna / envelopes of mayo from convenience store like 7-11 / kaiser roll
- dried fruit / trail mix (with M&Ms instead of choc chips / hard candies for treats
- beef jerky
- 1 package Knorr dried soup mix in case of bad weather (contains MSG so caution if you are sensitive)
Dinners
- pasta. Can cook with 1/3 seawater but it does use a lot of water. Use less water than you would at home. It will be a bit starchy but o.k.
- sauces for pasta: You can buy Knorr ones that are just add water. Not too much in them food wise but are simple. Or sometimes you can get tomato sauces in little tetra bricks. Or take a small can of tomato paste + water, chop up and fry a small onion, mushrooms etc., add dried basil/oregano, etc. You can take small amount of frozen ground beef for a first night meal.
- boil in bag meals for the culinary challenged. Indian ones & serve with rice. When the rice comes to a boil on the fire, take it off and leave it at the edge of the fire, turning the pot every few minutes. Don't keep it right on a big heat or it will burn
- stir fry veggies + rice. If it's the first night you can take frozen chunks of meat (pork shoulder, pre cut up and pre-marinated is my favorite). premade teriyaki sauce in film cannister. Takes little water except for rice.
Water
- plastic 1 gal jugs are the best in terms of container weight / water carried. Water is very heavy so only take just enough. Consider carefully drinking water / cooking / rinse water. Catch rain off tent fly into a pot if it rains. Take a few baby wipes for cleaning bodies.
Other:
- we have a tradition that the trail fairy will leave candies for hard working hikers along the trail at irregular intervals. Sure motivates the smaller hiker (and big ones too sometimes)
- Breaks when the first person is tired. It's not a race; it's supposed to be fun, so take your time getting there. It's also a long drive so give Z some beach play time before setting out. I usually say 5 min break / 1 hr for hiking but with somebody small extend to 10 minutes.
Wash all dishes in salt water and rinse in salt water with final rinse in fresh just like on a boat.
