Use of こうして in this sentence


Can someone please explain which part of this sentence こうして is modifying and
how it is changing the meaning of the sentence:

> 鴫｛しぎ｝を見るために、行ったことはあったが、暑い季節に **こうして** 弁当まで持っていくのは初めてである。

Without こうして I translate this as

> I have been to see the sandpipers before, but this is my first time bringing
> a lunch along in the hot season.




「こうして」 modifies the whole verb phrase 「弁当{べんとう}まで持{も}っていく」.

It is saying that they have been to the place before, but it is the first time
that they have gone there by even bringing a lunch **_like this_** in the hot
season.




「こうして」 modifies the whole verb phrase 「弁当{べんとう}まで持{も}っていく」.

It is saying that they have been to the place before, but it is the first time
that they have gone there by even bringing a lunch **_like this_** in the hot
season.

