Visiting Vermont

We’re exploring our future home in the Upper River Valley of Vermont this week, so please forgive me if I’m slow to respond to blog comments. We’re looking for a place to live, trying out the local gym and maybe a CrossFit box, buying groceries in the co-ops, and just generally trying to get a sense of what our new lives might be like. It’s frexciting!

This is Main Street in White River Junction, our first choice for new location because we’d love to be within walking distance of Dave’s school…wrj

The Center For Cartoon Studies (CCS).ccs

We’re stopping by the school so I can get a tour. I’m hoping I get to meet James Sturm, a very accomplished cartoonist and the founder of CCS. (His recent graphic novel Market Day is beautiful and melancholy.)jamesturm
We’re going to eat at the Four Aces Diner.fouraces

And the Tuckerbox Café.tuckerbox

I’m also hoping to get in a hike somewhere that looks like this:hiking

And I will definitely be killing some time in Revolution.revolution

I have to admit, while I’m very excited and optimistic about all the new stuff coming our way, I have a little anxiety about moving to such a small town. But articles like these from The New York Times, Budget Travel, and Seven Days make me feel like it will be fun.

Cross your fingers for us that we find a place to live! I’ve only moved four times in my life, and  — as much as I love adventuring — I’m a big-time nester. The search for a new home makes me feel tiny and scared; send us your good vibes.

I’ve got a few posts — including a new recipe! — that will go live in my absence, and you can keep up with our adventures on my Twitter and Dave’s Tumblr.

hr_brown1

 

 

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Comments

  • Lisa says:

    I’ve lived in VT for 23 years now, and I still love it! I live in Bellows Falls, about 45 min south of WRJ (White River Jct)
    I think WRJ is pretty cool, and have enjoyed my visits there. Good luck with your search!

    • Teresa says:

      We are so happy you are landing here…good luck with your housing search. Its Vermont don’t rule out all the knooks and crannies…

  • Lisa says:

    PS – I moved from the NYC area before the internet… The transition was a little tough, but I survived!

  • Linda Sand says:

    Instead of think of of WRJ as a small town, it might help to think of is as a neighborhood. It looks to me from your links as your kind of place. Who knows, you may open the first paleo restaurant there.

  • Kay says:

    Vermont is an amazing place. I envy you your nesting ability! I’ve rarely lived in a place for more than two years. 🙂 The thing about Vermont is that it is a cool place but it’s also close to other cool places. Nothing is far away. Montreal, Burlington, other NE states. Amazing really. You will love it, I am sure.

  • Zoe Stasko says:

    Come visit me in Brattleboro! It’s an adorable town with a thriving circus and arts community and a giant co-op with bulk kombucha (my favorite part of the store). When you move to VT, be sure to look up the CSAs–the fresh produce and maple syrup here is beyond fantastic. Have fun!

  • Awesome! You’ll have to learn to live with sn*w but otherwise this should be great for you and yours. Within about the next year (or so) I should be in hailing distance in western Massachusetts.

    Farmers’ markets are really taking off in New England.

  • Lydia says:

    You are being very brave and positive about this. I’m in awe of you. As always.

  • Amy says:

    Oh, so jealous! My dad is from VT, I would love to move there but with all my family and friends here (and the job market) I’m in MD for now. Best of luck!

  • Kathleen says:

    AHHH! It’s happening! I’ve been living under a rock (a really cute baby-shaped rock). CONGRATS, Dave. I’m so proud of you and excited for the both of you.

    Also… cold weather! Hats! Coats! Boots! YAY!

  • Shane says:

    Congrats & welcome to the Upper Valley! We transplanted from DC to the Upper Valley two years ago and have loved it. If you have any questions or need some recommendations let me know. The CrossFit Upper Valley Underground is a great box, with an awesome community.

  • Jasmin says:

    Nesters, unite! I think you will enjoy the VT vibe. How cool is it that a whole state has just one telephone area code?! Very jelly roll for you ‘coz the fam and I DREAM of moving to VT, away from the rat race of the D.C. area!

  • Melissa G says:

    Surprise! I live about an hour from there. Can’t help with local housing but definitely some adventures. Email me when you get settled

  • Heidi A. says:

    Enjoy your visit to the Upper Valley this week! CrossFit Upper Valley Underground is an awesome community. Good luck with the housing search! We moved to this area just over a year ago. We love all the hikes in the area. Our almost 8 year-old has become such an outdoorsy kid since moving up here.

  • molly mogs says:

    Melissa! I totally agree that moving to a small town would be anxiety-inducing after living in Austin (and SF before that). But I do know there are many amazing people who live in that area. Think of it as a fun adventure. My newish mantra is “want to be here” and I think it every time I’m doing something I’m unsure of (which is literally every day). Deep thoughts, by Molly Mogren.

    Hope you find beautiful, homey place to nest… with a great kitchen.

  • lori_vt says:

    OMG!! This has got to be some of the best news I’ve received in the past year!! If you’re on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River, you will LOVE it! And if you’re on the NH side, you will love visiting Vermont 🙂 I love both states, having spent most of life here (although I grew up in Massachusetts, I’ve been in Vermont since 1988). And because I want to toot Vermont’s horn, we just signed the mandatory GMO labeling bill, but you probably already know that: http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/vermont-poised-enact-mandatory-gmo-labeling.html So very very very psyched that you are considering this northern paradise!

  • Alison says:

    Welcome!! Lots to do in the WRJ area. I’m in the upperer Upper Valley north of st. Johnsbury now, but lived down around there for grad school. Good luck with your search! Hope to meet you some day.
    Alison

  • Kelly says:

    The thing you need to keep in mind about New England is that everything is, like, 5 minutes away. As opposed to 30 light years away, as it is in Texas. I’m excited for you guys!

  • Jillian says:

    Very jealous! If you ever find yourself in Vergennes, check out my friends’ restaurant. http://www.threesquarescafe.com/ They aren’t Paleo but serve many Paleo friendly dishes and are passionate about supporting local farmers.

  • Annika says:

    Just saw on Twitter that you’re moving to my neck of the woods – crazy! I live in St. Johnsbury, an hour north of White River Junction. Vermont is a beautiful state with endless local-food options, despite our short growing season. If you ever want to venture up to the Northeast Kingdom, I will treat you to lunch!

  • Heather says:

    And if you ever venture up to Burlington, look me up! I work downtown, and would love to show you around. 🙂

  • Mish says:

    Woo hoo!!! I am so excited you will be in Vermont. It really feels like a celebrity is coming 🙂

  • Dear new neighbors,

    Thank you so much of the fun offers of showing me around New England and for the words of encouragement. We are in the midst of packing and preparing-to-sell-the-house chaos — so many feels right now!

    I can’t wait to meet all of you, and I’m not just saying that. I’ve been thinking about some kind of “come meet me, ’cause I just moved to Vermont, and I need to make some new friends” paleo food event. I’ll keep you posted. In the interim, thanks for being awesome.

    Love,
    Your soon-to-be Vermont neighbor

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