This post was originally published in https://ateneamar.com/ on 4/9/2023, in Spanish. A few opinions may have evolved since then—because growth, aging, and changing your mind are all part of the fun.
We’re in New Hampshire, and this trip has been full of moments. Our first stop was Minneapolis, where we spent a full day shopping at the Mall of America—the shopping spree el güero had been promising me forever. We even bought a plant at the LEGO store. And if you follow me on Instagram, you already know I have a long history of killing plants. I’m not giving up on developing my green thumb, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few plants that are completely me-proof. The first one joins the collection.
The Watters at the Mall of America.
I met my sister-in-law and instantly loved her. We went shopping together, went into Sephora, and I copied her homework—I got a vegan spray serum that feels amazing on the skin and a plumping lip gloss. I’ve never been super into skincare or makeup, I’m very basic, so whenever I meet someone more knowledgeable than me in that department, I copy everything I can.
My sister-in-law is a cool girl.
At Sephora, since it was my birthday month, they gave me some samples of a shampoo and conditioner that I loved, and I’m definitely ordering them once we’re back in San Diego. They also included a sample of the brand’s fragrance, and it smells incredible.
Once we got to the city where my father-in-law lives, we walked around a bit and they took me to Big Lake—and I completely fell in love with it. One of el güero aunts has a cabin right on the lake, and they took us out on a pontoon boat, which is basically a very square little boat made for lakes. I already told the blondie that we’re buying a cabin there so when we’re old we can spend six months there and six months in Mazatlán, like proper snowbirds.
Big Lake.
They took me to buy delicious smoked salmon and beef sticks with different seasonings. I also tried Wisconsin cheeses (that’s where my sister-in-law lives). In Minnesota they harvest wild rice, and they sell it everywhere—you’ll find it in every store and on every restaurant menu. It has a firmer texture and it’s delicious.
Smoked salmon.
Wild rice.
Something I noticed is that food in the North is just… good. I mean it’s prepared really well, with care. A regular burger, but a good burger. Good beer, good cider. And I’m leaving my favorite restaurant in Cloquet here—that’s where my father-in-law lives.
Gordy’s.
We’re here in June, so the weather was perfect every single day. Someday we’ll come back—maybe in the fall to see the red and brown leaves. And I’m sure I’ll come at least once in winter too, maybe even experience a white Christmas.
The drive to New Hampshire took two full days, and since we arrived we’ve done nothing but pack up the house. It’s already sold—we just need to sign. Getting it ready for the moving company was an adventure, watching them finish packing and take everything away.
Now we’re in New Market, staying at Bones and Anna’s place. Their home is a duplex with such an interesting layout—I get lost inside it. It’s full of little details: the “strawberries” sign at the entrance, all the chairs being different but equally interesting, the lamp. Basically, it’s full of tiliches (little things), and I love that.
Here in New Hampshire, I had the most delicious lobster I’ve ever had in my life—and I got a really good one, full of meat even in the legs. I licked my fingers, that’s how good it was.
Meaty lobster.
We also ate mussels in different ways, but at one restaurant they prepared them in a broth with tomato, onion, lots of garlic, and a little crushed chili—that was my favorite version. I’m going to try to recreate it and share the recipe if it turns out well.
The North is incredibly beautiful, and we were treated so well. We celebrated the 4th of July at one of Dev’s friends’ houses and had the best time—BBQ with everything you can imagine: shrimp, chicken, steak. They took us for a ride in a classic car, and then came the fireworks.
July 4th.
On the way back, we stopped in Salem—and wow, I think it’s one of my favorite places. I’d love to go back in the fall, closer to Halloween. They told us not to go on Halloween because it’s insanely packed and you can’t even walk, but that two or three weeks before is perfect.
Salem.
The drive back was rough—so many hours in the car, we were completely over it and desperate to arrive already. But now that we’re here, settling into our new home, everything was worth it. And honestly, we had such a great time up north, surrounded by all that green.
