34 hours and counting!

Poolside retirement

We told you that you'd make the internet, Alex & Harry!

Abercrombie & Fitch audition

     For the last week, we've been truly enjoying our retirement (sans-golf cart) in sunny Florida.  The elderly have been quite kind, letting Matt take their money in poker at the senior center and wishing us the best of luck.  Spending time with the Boyoraks is always eventful.  We've seen Mexican Elvis at the 'Super Flea' market, ooed and awwed at the various birds on

Beach babe

the lake, watched the sunrise over the Atlantic, and even saw a shark get caught in Cocoa Beach.  Our tans have gotten darker (meaning Sara is tan, Matt is red/less pale) and our spirits more and more excited.  Spending all that time at the beach and pool will do that.  It was also very good to finally be able to use the Vitara as it was meant to be used.   

A different kind of retirement

   Packing (again) last night was annoying but helped finalize the big trip.  Luckily, we're able to take two 32kg/70lb checked bags each (clothes for Sara & gear for Matt)   We leave this morning for one final trip to visit Matt's Aunt Teri before leaving from Miami tomorrow.  We're looking forward to seeing Will Smith surrounded by all his chickies, Dexter's vigilante justice, and/or cocaine cowboys while we eat Cuban sandwiches in the harbor.

Yes, they are still alive.

   Oh, did I mention we saw Modern English (the original members) play at Melbourne's Fall Fest?  Yes, they did play "Melt With You" and made several jokes/comments about being past their prime.  We hope we never perform at a Fall festival.  

    Goodbye, USA.  Hola, Chile!

Not there yet

   After a great week in CT, we've made the 

Angry-sexy, hungry, happy, yellow

final leg of the trip down to FL.  We've done all the required pre-journey items: drinks with friends, dinner with family, visa complications in NYC, sleepover with Bill Robinson, and even a stop at South of the Border ("You never sausage a place; 

everyone is a wiener!").  

Silliest picture of the Uphams ever

   CT family and friends will be sorely missed, but the time together was well spent.  Rock climbing, relaxing, and reveling in Uncle Matt's stinky feet was the order of the day.  We were very glad to be out of NYC quickly as we almost didn't get our visas (advice: get your visa well in advance of leaving your residence).  Making our way into the South was slow, but steady (the southern way).

Bluff chipwich

   We're looking forward to a sunny week in the sun-filled Sunshine State (Florida in case you didn't get it) with the Boyoraks.  We leave next Tuesday from Miami....GULP!  Sh*t is real(z).  We might fit in one more update before we go, or you'll soon see pictures of us in skinny Chile.  FYI - Sept. 18th was Chilean Independence Day; Libertad!

BBR

The hat was not bought

Visas in! Tickets purchased!

Chilebration!

Spending one last afternoon on Eddie's Parade

Two Thursdays ago, we left our sad, empty apartment in Harlem.  Though it was tough to leave the city we've known for so many years, our adventures are just starting!  We've been traveling throughout the Northeast, beginning in Maine to New Hampshire to Vermont.  We are now spending time with the Uphams and Hubens in Connecticut.  We will be here until the 14th of September, then we will travel back into NYC to pick up our temporary resident visas at the Chilean consulate.  Last night we purchased our plane tickets to Santiago, making it officially FOR REAL(Z)!  We are leaving from Miami on September 27th.  We will first fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil for a 3 hour lay-over and finish up in Santiago, Chile.  

We've been having a blast visiting family and friends these past few weeks.  From late-night manhunt at Uncle Billy's to climbing/struggling up Mt. Adams to serious muddin' on the ATVs in Granby, we couldn't be happier not to be working (sorry fellow educators).  But, alas, it hasn't been easy to say goodbye to close family and friends.  We are so thankful to everyone who's spent time with us and wished us safe and exciting travels.  

P.S. 64 girls: Sara, Tara, Maureen and Maria at the Red Rooster in Harlem

Here are some photos from the last few weeks.  We will post more before leaving the States.  Thanks again for all your well wishes! 

Thad, Mike, Matt, Joey & Brandon, current or former educators at GILPP

Welcome to the world, Nate!

Read on, girls!  Sara, Katie, Caitlin, Gretchen and Danielle

Sara, Alicia and Gabby

Sara and Baby Grace

Uncle Billy, Sara, Jacob, Lily and Blake at the Northeast Folk Festival

Sara and Renee

Aunt Valerie, Sara and Uncle Dwayne at Travis' wedding

Matt and Sara + the happy couple (Kelsey & Travis)

Roadhouse with Hayden, Blake, Richard, Sherry, Lily, Sara and Matt

Allison and Sara (Check out those feathers!)

Trivia Champions at The Liberal Cup: Jonathan (aka Yokie, Julie, Matt and Sara)

Sara pre-climbing Mt. Adams (the smile gives it away)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX07j9SDFcc (3:06)

Matt and Sara following Virginia and Dan ATVing in Granby

Way cooler than the moto-bikes in Harlem

KOHD earning his bacon from Sara

Dan, Matt and Jon Bellmore