Worcester boys trek to NYC for the send off

Good to see the boys from Worcester in the Big Apple

NEW YORK, NY - The home boys from Worcester made the trip to the Big Apple for our final weekend in the US. Wentz and Moses - never ones to shy away from a memorable drinking experience - took the opportunity to crash with Wentz's nephew Garrett. The three of them managed to help me high jack Ed from Philly, who was also in town with his wife and kids for the send off (much to Kathy's chagrin) for a tour of the city, culminating with a strong session at McSorley's.
Garrett couldn't answer the bell for Round Two on Sunday and Ed judiciously decided at day in Central Park with his wife and son was a prudent move. So the Worcester boys carried on as a trio...

Worcester meets Philly in NYC

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Chico does New York

Chico got into full tourist mode during our weekend trip to the Big Apple. Plenty of strange smells and hydrants to keep him occupied, and we managed to sneak into a few establishments, although attempts to pass him off as a seeing eye dog failed miserably. He even enjoyed the subway rides, avoiding paying the fares by walking backwards through the turnstiles to make it look like he was exiting. Don't let that "I heart NY" t shirt fool you - he's a wily New Yorker at heart.
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Brooklyn: Don't knock it til you try it

BROOKLYN, NY - Our first stop en route to our new life in France was New York, New York; the Big Apple, the city so big they had to name it twice...sort of. We actually had the great pleasure of staying 'across the bridge' in Brooklyn, thanks to our new friends and home exchange partners Jen and Stephan (and their two boys, Maceo and Van).

The family (minus Maceo) stayed with us in TCI earlier this year when they came for a friend's wedding. We hadn't met them before but had connected with them on Home Exchange. It was bit of an unorthodox home exchange as we were still at home when they wanted to stay at our house, but Jen and Stephan didn't seem to mind sharing our digs and the girls got a kick out of hanging with baby Van, a kid brother for a few days.

Stephan (left) and Jen are very talented musicians and have jammed with the Boss

Jen and Stephan returned the favor when we needed place to crash en route to France. They have a great townhouse in Brooklyn, which I have to admit I had never been to before. We were pleasantly surprised (we shouldn't have been surprised since Jen and Stephan had talked it up so much when they visited us, even showering us with Brooklyn based gifts and paraphenelia - including, would you believe, wine?). On top of a super cool and eclectic neighborhood, and easy transport into the 'city', their place afforded us some much needed 'spread out' room to get our 8-suitcase packing strategy refined. Plus, it's pretty close to JFK, which made life easier.

Jen and Stephan were the perfect hosts (although Stephan had to head out to a gig in California while were there). They are both extremely talented musicians - Jen, a folk style singer whose dad was the great Harry Chapin, and Stephan a bassist in a jazz trio. Their home was large and comfortable, and we even got to meet two of their other friends who were visiting from North Carolina.

As part of their profession, they travel 'heavy' quite bit so they could identify with and advise on our suitcase challenges (perhaps not the additional challenge Chico presents). I'm just glad we didn't have to travel with Stephan's bass!

Stephan and his traveling bass

Jen and Stephan's place gave us a great base to launch our European adventure from, but more importantly, helped us to get to know two great friends (and two super kids) even better. Hopefully, we'll see them on tour some day - maybe even in France!

My last Rotary meeting

A nice send off by my club at my last official meeting.

Blue Hills farewell

I'll miss my boys at Three Queens, the oldest bar in Provo and home to the beloved Conch Festival which we started 8 years ago. Lots of good memories and we're unlikely to find a similar place in France.

Dick has been promoted to interim president of the Conch Festival and I am sure he and the team will do a great job without me. Just hope he doesn't get too comfortbale in that position.

Unless Dick overcomes his fear of flying, we won't see him in France

The boys are all promising to take a trip over to France to visit us, but we'll see. Since Dick doesn't fly, that could be a problem, unless they fix the bridge.

The going away party

PROVIDENCIALES - Terry from Hemingway's out did himself with a surprise party for us at the restaurant tonight. Ironically, almost 10 years ago to the day, he hosted an anniversary party for us there, too.

It was a great a mix of islanders from all aspects of our life, although we missed the Irish contingent that was away on vacation. It made us realize how many good friends we have made over the years in TCI and they will all be missed - and of course welcome at Le Bergerie in Aix.

Siobahn, who led the trickery to get us there as a surprise, made her first Animoto to commerate the occasion. Who can keep a dry eye listening to John Denver singing "leaving on a jet plane"?

Final swing through the DR

Scenic hole #12 overlooking Playa Grande

Terry tees it up under the watchful eye

 of caddie Jonathan

CABARETE, D.R. -- The farewell tour went overseas this week to the Dominican Republic for a boys golf trip. Seven of us (including SF boys Rocco and the Garbage Man) chartered a plane under the steady pilot-ship of FedEx Freddy and we skipped over to Cabarete for an 'in and out' visit. The highlight was a round at the spectacular Playa Grande golf course which sits on a dramatic perch high above the ocean (12 of the 18 holes are right on the water). Truly amazing scenery and fun round, guided by 2 local caddies, who got into the game themselves late in the round when we challenged them to closest to the pin contests.

Ready to board the non stop to PoP

Plenty of Presidente and Brugal consumed in 24 hours, and it was good to re-connect with Terry's old Club Med bud Yannick, a Frenchman from Brittany who lives in Cabarete. He offered some good tips on touring France. The only bummer was not seeing our faithful DR guide, Goonie, who has moved on to the swamps of Jersey. Just not the same not having him watching you back in Cabarete and Sosua.

Note my imminent par put behind the stick. Good for 5 skins

Cruisin' Wired Island Style

Savannah navigates from the bow of  Dream Aweigh

On board Dream Aweigh, the luxury 42-foot power catamaran we chartered for a Wired Island company event today. Part farewell party for us, part a celebration of the launch of our new brand, Turks and Caicos Reservations – it was a great day at sea with our friend Captain Kenard!