Escaping the Everyday

We’ve finally settled into our new home in New Hampshire, and it just feels so right. The transition has been smoother than expected, and we’ve already started exploring the area around our little town. It’s definitely small—only about 7,000 people live here, which is quite the change from Bozeman, Montana, where the population is closer to 57,000. Thankfully, we’re just a quick 10-minute drive from Concord, which has around 43,000 residents, so we still have access to everything we need.

One of the first things that made us laugh was when Jake stopped at the only gas station in town. The woman working there told him, “Don’t pee outside in this town or EVERYONE will know about it.” That moment perfectly summed up the small-town vibe here—and honestly, I love it. There’s something special about being part of a smaller community, and we’re already starting to feel at home.

It really feels like we have the best of both worlds here. Even though we’re living in a small town with that quiet, close knit charm, we’re surrounded by big enough cities that have everything we could need. I’m especially excited to spend more time exploring downtown Concord. It’s absolutely adorable. There are so many restaurants and little shops, and the best part is that it’s never overwhelmingly busy. It strikes a perfect balance between lively and laid back.

Another huge perk is how close we are to the outdoors. The White Mountains are only an hour away, and we’ve found plenty of great hiking trails just 15 to 30 minutes from home. For us, it’s the dream setup—nature, peace, and adventure all within reach. And to top it all off, we’re only about an hour away from most of our family. Close enough for spontaneous visits, but far enough to truly settle into our own space.

Anyway! Let’s get into it.

Red Sox Game

What an experience it was at Fenway Park. My mother-in-law, Wendy, was able to get a suite for the Red Sox game, which honestly felt like a dream come true.

As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a full buffet of different foods, a variety of desserts, an open bar, and even your own private bathroom. At the far end of the room, you step out to your own seating section that overlooks the field. I think the suite can hold around 16 people, but surprisingly, it was just our family and a sweet mother and son duo sharing it with us.

The experience itself was incredible, even if the Red Sox didn’t play their best against the Atlanta Braves. One of the highlights was the food—Fenway’s senior executive chef, Ron Abell, went above and beyond. He made us some special items like fresh lobster rolls, and even brought out gluten-free cookies, sandwiches, and these amazing gluten-free dumplings. The taste and everything about it was unreal.

Jake and I both walked out of there absolutely stuffed beyond repair. It was one of those nights we won’t forget anytime soon.

Chuckster’s

Some of you might not know this about Jake and me, but we both love mini golf—and we’re definitely a little competitive about it.

One thing we really missed while living in Montana was having access to a mini golf courses. So when we found one in Chichester, New Hampshire, we had to check it out with our friend Tim. It turned out to be a pretty nice course, and it felt great to get back into something we enjoy so much. The friendly competition, the laughs, and just being outside made for a really fun day.

Chuckster’s is a family fun park with around 14 different attractions, including mini golf, go-karts, a zipline, batting cages, and so much more. It’s the perfect spot for a day of fun, whether you’re with friends, family, or just looking to unleash your inner kid. Not only do they have a location in Chichester, NH, but there’s also one in Manchester, NH.

When it’s time for a treat, Chuckster’s has you covered with 36 flavors of Bliss ice cream, sundaes, and thick shakes. Don’t miss their custom flavor, “Upchuck”—it’s definitely one to try! If you’re craving something savory, they’ve got hot snacks like hot dogs, pretzels, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, fries, personal pizzas, and more. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re there for the thrills or the food.

Lincoln Woods

Lincoln Woods, New Hampshire, is a picturesque natural area nestled in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, right along the scenic Kancamagus Highway near the town of Lincoln.

It’s well known for its stunning beauty, abundant recreational opportunities, and as a gateway to the vast Pemigewasset Wilderness, including the famous Pemi Loop.

The Lincoln Woods Trail is a 2.7-mile, mostly flat path that follows the route of the old East Branch and Lincoln Railroad, making it perfect for hikers of all ages and skill levels. You can take the trail to Lincoln Falls or continue on to the Bonds Trail, which leads to the legendary Pemi Loop. This 30-mile loop crosses 8 peaks of the 48 4,000 footers and involves about 9,000 feet of elevation gain, making it a popular challenge for backpackers.

Jake is actually planning to run the Pemi Loop in August, which will be his first ultra marathon—a huge milestone for him!

We’ll dive deeper into all of that when Jake runs the Pemi Loop later this year. I’m also hoping to backpack along the Pemi Loop one day—it’s definitely on my bucket list.

I’m working on knocking off all of the 48 four-thousand-footers in New Hampshire, and completing the Pemi Loop would be a huge step toward that goal. It’s a challenging adventure, but one I’m really excited to take on.

That’s just a small window into our life here in New Hampshire so far, and I’m genuinely excited to keep uncovering all the beauty, charm, and adventure this area has to offer.