Things I Did This Weekend: Went Up North

Chef grew up in northern Minnesota — specifically Pequot Lakes/Breezy Point/Nisswa (these towns are in such close proximity to one another that I get confused) and his parents still live there, in Breezy Point. We went up north for Pequot Lakes Bean Hole Days last week, where giant hot vats of beans are buried overnight and then taken out the next day to serve to residents and visitors for free. It’s a really interesting town tradition.

We pretty much stayed north the entire week after Bean Hole Days. I forgot how bad the mosquitos and deer flies can get so I’m currently nursing my wounds with Tiger Balm and a hydrocortisone stick. Yep. I’m totally back in Minnesota. While I’m remembering my childhood, Bacon experienced a plethora of firsts, including seeing his first fawn:

Being up north (and Minnesota in general) reminded me of several very New York/East Coast things that have stayed with me:

Saying “Upstate” instead of “Up North” by accident
Saying “soda” instead of “pop”
Being wowed by the fact that I can walk into any establishment just to use the bathroom
Pronouncing “call” like “cawl”
Using Yiddish words (“schvitzing” — especially with the weather here)

…but then again, I’ve only been in Minnesota for about two weeks. We shall see how Minnesotan I get again.

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