The call came about 14 minutes after I had fallen back to sleep. I almost didn’t answer, but it came in quick succession between the home line and my cell phone and my first thought is always something about the kids. So I slid the phone into my fumbling hand and croaked out a hello.
“Anna, its Paul, Paul Bohne.” I had known who Paul was at the first syllable. I went on to decline his invitation to sit on a committee for Shelburne and talk briefly about an engineering report. I asked about his retirement timeline and told him I was moving away.
The other half of the conversation was going on in my head alone.
The mayor of Denver is extraordinarily unlikely to call my cell phone and invite me to sit on a committee.
Rewinding to the beginning of the weekend Steve and I left the boys on the spur of the moment with a sitter they have known since infancy. She calls them her little bros and takes them for adventures in the woods. In a single text we arranged for rock solid care for our kids for three days…starting the next day.
It will be a long time before we can leave our kids for days in a new city. And it will never be with someone who has known them forever.
So we flew to Denver and decided to move to the house in the urban neighborhood. We drove around in literal and figurative circles checking out suburbs of Denver, Boulder (holy teenage version of Burlington), and suburbs of boulder. We had dinner with our Vermont friend who was visiting Denver and our Vermont friend who had relocated to Denver. We toasted our plan.
The next morning we packed our bag, thinking about how to tell our kids and drove to the very last house showing in the Shelburne of Boulder.
The house was 1/3 of a mile from an excellent elementary school and had wind-sucked-out-of-you mountain views. It was for sale by owner and he showed us around pointing out its quirks. It was built in the 70s and had the wide plank diagonal siding over the full width stone fireplace in the living room that is a hallmark of that era in the West. It had glazing to the catherdral ceiling, and strange indoor windows between the master bedroom and the living room. It had a kitchen that needed updating. In addition to its late midcentury vibe it sported an indoor swimming pool. Not a glorified bathtub. A nine foot deep with diving board heated indoor swimming pool. And a sauna. And a tennis court/basketball court. Which they flooded in the winter to make an ice rink. He apologized about the quality of the ice reminding us that with the 300 days of sun it was hard to keep it smooth enough for anything but nighttime skating. Under the lights.
From every single one of these places there were rocky mountain views.
As we drove away to check out the town I was sad all over again. We had chosen to leave Shelburne. And here it was presenting itself to us again in a sunshine-y tech job filled package. We stopped at the Niwot market where they roast their own coffee and a woman introduced herself. She had overheard us talking as we walked in and she wanted to pitch the town. The family that owned the market had handwritten signs about local produce and a free lending library of books. Our brand of cleaners were on site.
We drove down Main Street. It had antique shops and a tavern, a few coffee shops and a florist. Everywhere fit people with dogs walked and biked and jogged. Each one of them waved at us through the windshield.
We had lunch at the local lunch spot. Around us teenagers greeted each other across tables, tall boys mostly. We popped into the liquor store to check out the beer selection. It was excellent.
We drove away in silence.
We had already chosen Denver.
Someone had tied a bow on Shelburbia and dropped it at our feet. Or tied a bow on us and dropped us in Shelburbia.
Steve drove us to the airport and we were completely silent. We had said it all already. What do we choose, the idyllic family life or the unknown?
The Denver house is in a neighborhood too, but it is part of the city. There are places to walk, but also traffic. The lots are small, and the houses historic. They don’t have storage, or pot fillers or pools. The kitchen is just three feet wide. Forget the pot filler, the cabinets might not even fit a pot.
We could discuss it all again, but we had already decided.
So we got on the plane, bumped into a friend from Burlington and told her we were moving to Denver, not Shelburbia West.
This morning after my chat with Paul I headed to the Shelburne supermarket. I know there are supermarkets in Denver, but I hadn’t found one, and it seemed unlikely that it would feel like Shelburne market. I walked through the aisles picking up a Misty Knoll chicken for dinner, not even looking at the price because we only have so many misty knoll roast chickens ahead of us.
As a unloaded at the register I realized that for the first time in years I hadn’t bumped into anyone I knew. For the hundreth time in years I had forgotten my reusable bags, and as I loaded apples and animal cracker into the brown paper bags I heard my name. The next person had slipped into line.
And I knew him.
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Moving to CO, eh? Holler at me once you’re here! I’m happy to help with the unpacking, or just catching up over a drink and a sunshine mountain view.
Where are you these days?
I’m enthusiastically excited for you and truly enjoyed the beauty of this blog post.
Thanks!
Very exciting Anna. Sad you won’t be coming to the Bay Area but Denver sounds awesome.
As you know we worked hard on the Bay area. It offers everything we were looking for. In the end Denver was more affordable, and still has a LOT going for it. Now we will be 2 hours from San Fran so hopefully we can see each other there.
Love that you love Niwot. You get the sun and nice weather in Denver too… After being in Denver yesterday I wish we lived there. Then Ian reminded me of how awesome it is here… so in the end I don’t think you can go wrong.
Its Denver. Niwot is too Shelburne and we have chosen a change. Even though it is scary.
It will be great. Having the sun 300 days a year has changed my life. (seriously… it makes life a little bit easier). Happy to help you unpack/etc when you get here!
Stoked I made it in the blog, Loved the weekend with the boys!
They loved it too. I will add one of your pictures now.
Denver is a really great city (I am biased toward Colorado, having spent most of my life there). I am excited for you all, but you will be missed in Shelburne/Burlington scene, that is for sure.
I think someone said it best a few posts ago: don’t let the door hit you on the way out of town. People search for a perfect community, but it’s really right here in VT. You’re searching for something that’s right inside you the whole time, you just don’t know how to access it. VT is that place where you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Good riddance Palmers.
Wow. You are not very kind.
I am confused and saddened by this very unkind comment.
We are new to Vermont and Anna and her family have been generous with their friendship and time. I have quickly become friends with Anna and her family and my family will miss the Palmers very much when they move to Colorado.
Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows that the decision to leave Vermont has been extremely difficult for Anna and Steve. This is not a decision that was made on a whim but after careful consideration on what is best for their family.
Anna, I will miss you and I hope when you arrive in Denver that you quickly meet someone who has been as kind and supportive to you and your family as you have been to me and my family.
(and don’t fall for that “Peyton is the best stuff” we know the truth — Go Patriots!)
Thank you so much ann. We will
Miss you as well. Shelburne is a better place with you in it! As you know we will keep a toe in the water and be back to visit lots.
Wow….I’m new to this blog and have enjoyed reading Anna’s essays. I am taken aback by a few of the people who choose to post hateful responses….especially when it’s done under a false name. I always wonder why one who clearly hates a particular blogger even bothers to read the blog. Lisa, people don’t always move because they want too. Sometimes it’s a necessity. But even if one does choose to move to a new location, what’s wrong with actively searching for something different? Life is full of changes, why not accept it with an open heart and move forward with anticipation instead of dread?
Anna, although I don’t know you, I’m grateful that you’re so willing to share your thoughts, joy and fears. It’s interesting to see life through another’s eyes no matter how different it may be from my own.
Are you sure I didn’t hire you to write this? What a wonderful, generous, open response. Thanks for reading. And commenting! You have brightened my day.
I’ll miss running into you everywhere.
For the record, I completely disagree with Lisa. There will be a huge hole in this community without the Palmer family. Your love and generosity will be greatly missed by my family. I’ll miss your laugh and your hugs (hahahahahaha), your spirit, your honesty, your humor, the hours we spent watching TV together, planning our TV season, watching you parent, and so many more things. I love you, Anna and I’m so sorry someone would feel it was necessary to say something so mean about you, Steve, Leo and Oliver. That is truly awful.
Oh and also, I live in VT and it is far from the perfect community. Perhaps Lisa is perfectly happy looking out into a sea of white faces, but I prefer more diversity in a “perfect community”. I also prefer a more temperate climate, more sun, and significantly more culture, in addition to hanging out with people who don’t look like me.
I’ve moved away from VT and moved back and can’t freakin’ wait to get out of here again! Maybe Lisa will bid me the same anonymous adieu!
Maura, I’m sure Arnie and Maggie would love to know that you have one foot out the door of VT as well. Perhaps they’ll enjoy reading your comments.
While I do love a good veiled threat, “Lisa”, lucky for me I am upfront with people. Maggie and Arnie are fully aware that I don’t plan on living in VT for more than another couple of years.
Pro tip: if you are trying to out somebody for something make sure they aren’t already out about, you moron.
For those of you keeping score at home “Lisa” is threatening to tell my employers I plan on leaving VT in the next few years.
Unlike you Lisa, I don’t hide my identity or my intentions, so I’m all set. Feel free to alert them to these comments!
Anonymously writing nasty things to good people really makes you a chump, Lisa. The “Perfect Community” of Vermont would be better off, if you were the one moving. Feel free to show this to my employers.
I wish the Palmers the best, I hope you all are happy in Denver.
I will miss you all. Denver sounds like a good choice. All that sun and adventure. Now the big question – what are you going to call your blog now?
Per Lisa’s comment, Vermont is FAR from perfect. Her incredibly hateful comment proves it. You are an incredible asset to this community, Anna. I will miss you.
I’m very sad you’re leaving.
I will miss you. It’s a huge loss for our community. I toast your new adventure, and it’s good for the kids and you and Steve. But it won’t be the same here.
Hey Anna, Sorry to hear you are moving. I was looking forward to seeing you around now that we moved here. Anyway, I hear great things about Denver so it sounds like a good choice. (On a separate note: why does someone like ‘Lisa’ keep reading something if she doesn’t care for what she reads, and then take the time to write you? That doesn’t say much for the entertainment options here in VT, as ‘perfect’ as it is.)
I both question and understand the desire to follow along with things you don’t support. I will tune into Fox News to get insight into what the red states are thinking. On an individual blog level I think it makes some sense. If someone (in this case me) is going to put it all out there to share, process, whatever you call it then anyone is welcome to read. If I don’t want readers I can just write in a journal. I have the choice to approve every comment, and I post them all…the bit about Lisa’s comment that bothered me most was her use of the word “palmers”. I mean I offer tons of ammunition to dislike me. But not my children. That is a step too harsh.
I too was looking forward to seeing you around shelburbia. And for our own personal irony did you notice the title of this post!
Wow – Bummer and Kudos to you. I think it’s great to re-invent yourself and step outside the box. I’m jealous in so many different ways. I always thought I would end up in Boulder or Denver – I have been a Broncos fan since I knew what Football was and love the allure of The Rocky mountain state. You and your family will be truly missed – let us know when you are vacating this Vitamin D deprived state. Hopefully we can get together. Cheers and Best of luck from the entire Bokan clan. You never know maybe one day I can get Sherry to move to the Sun ;).
I had no idea you were a broncos fan. It call our entire friendship into question;) although I do appreciate you taking care of Wes welker when we couldn’t do right by him.
Anna! So exciting! I trust that any decision we make in life will always work out for the best…and I’ve heard awesome things about Denver 🙂 I’m coming to VT next weekend. Would love to stop in for a lil visit! ❤
We would love to see you. Have you a glowing job rec a few weeks ago. Hope you got it!
Well this is good news and bad news! the first thing that came to my mind was what a loss for the community, and secondly that I’m psyched because I’ll be able to visit you in CO since my fam is out there. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me there too one day.
I have no doubt that you’ll make equally potent waves and connections there in time. Excited for you! Sad for us!!
Well this is good news and bad news! the first thing that came to my mind was what a loss for the community. B and secondly that I’m psyched because I’ll be able to visit you in CO since my fam is out there. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me there too one day.
I have no doubt that you’ll make equally potent waves and connections out there in time. Excited for you! Sad for us!
I can’t only imagine the sheer nervousness of making that kind of move, at least it sounds like it worked out for you!
So far so good. But there is always time to move again.