cheap but good water "filter" is iodine drops for me, but I know they bug the heck out of some people. For me if it's wet, I'll drink it.

as for your other thoughts, the more experienced peeps on here will be more helpful. I haven't heard good things about MRE's though.

I went to high school in Alabama. You're a brave man for going out in the summer! Going out to Oak Mountain at all?