By Annika Nygren

No time being wasted here in the Wide World of Apogee, all of our trips (except for ECC A&B… t-minus 48 hours until our first report on those trip starts) have now completed at least one full day of riding/hiking/volunteering! Our leaders are sending in pictures fast and I’m scrambling to keep up with all the images. Let’s check in with the folks in the field, shall we?

Cape Cod and Islands (CI): These superstars spent the morning doing service work on a Martha’s Vineyard farm and, afterwards, meeting the resident animals. They’re looking forward to throwing on their swimsuits and hitting the beach this afternoon… what a gorgeous day!

New England Mountains and Coast (NEMC): First hike! These guys were up bright and early to crush some trail in the White Mountains. Matt and Midge sent us this awesome group shot and there is no doubt in my mind that it a gorgeous, sunny day in New Hampshire based on these squinting smiles!!

Vermont to Montreal (VM):  Our Vermonsters spent most of the day in a black hole – cell-phone-wise, that is.  As of press time, we have no picture of these guys, but we did just hear that ice cream is in the works and that they’re enjoying a singularly beautiful evening on the shores of Lake Champlain tonight. (We’re hoping we get a picture tonight – we’ll put it up ASAP if so!)

California Mountains and Coast (CMC):  Emma and Dylan are off of the water and headed inland today.  Emma reported a “smoooooth” transition day as they left their kayaks on the beach earlier today.  Here are a couple shots of the gang enjoying mid-drive lunch this afternoon. They’re back on the water tomorrow – the white water of the American River before shifting gears into the hiking portion of their trip on Tuesday.

Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA): Lucy and Will’s group left their swimsuits behind this morning for a hike in the Toro del Negro Rainforest. The group’s spirit and energy is high and I have no doubt in my mind that Will sang the whole way to the top (Will is a big-time singer – he was instrumental in creating an original acappella adaptation of “Build Me Up, Buttercup” to encourage our staff during Leader Training’s Iron Chef Competition).  The gang has one more day of service near Utuado before shifting over to the southwest coast.
Hiking up to the Toro

An almost 360 degree view from the summit!

Coast to Quebec (CQA): Our very own Kevin Cashman took this shot of our first CQ group as they were rolling through Brunswick today! Looking good in those bright colors on their way to Wiscasset, ME.

Coast to Quebec (CQB): Ready to rumble, these guys are staying local today and day-riding through Freeport today. Snack breaks (homemade GORP, granola and apples, WOW) have been taken and dinner plans are in the works. Pete and Sherry’s group are ready to get rolling towards Canada.

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX): Marino and Erin’s group of champions had already reached the summit of Megunticook Mountain before 11 this morning!! It’s looking like a gorgeous day on the trails today. After they’re morning hike, the group saddle up and headed way downeast to Stonington – they’ll be kayaking the gorgeous waters of Isle au Haut Bay for the next three days.

 Living on the edge!*

*(#allisnotasitseems, #dontworrymomanddad, #favoriteblogpicsofar)

Montana Service Adventure (MSA): Teamwork makes the dream work! MSA is pictured here resting their legs and making human bicycles out of each other… Luckily, they’re back on their real bicycles and moving fast to their next stop in Townsend, Montana!

Northwest Explorer (NWX): After yesterday’s dearth of NWX pictures, Izzy and John sent in some great shots from the alternately foggy/sunny great Northwest. We heard from Izzy today – she reports nothing but smiles!

 A very small patch of snow…

Here is a shot from their day hike in Olympic National Park! These hikers will be spending their afternoon preparing for their back country excursion to start early tomorrow morning! Here are some pictures from today’s hardwork and hiking:

Caves!!

Pacific Coast (PCA): First night on the beach for Jeanne and Matt’s crew involved some Ultimate Frisbee on the sand! What a great way to stretch out those legs after their first day on the road. Report from Jeanne says everyone is doing well and they’re all looking forward to dinner tonight on the gorgeous coast of Oregon.

Pacific Coast (PCB):  Trevor and Kate’s Pacific Coasters were eating up the miles today, too.  Here’s a shot of several of the gang just before crossing a big chunk of Coos Bay.  When we heard from them at noon Pacific time they had less than 10 miles to go!

Alps Explorer (AX): Our Alpen Explorers were rained out of their hike today.  But time was not wasted – CC and Jack reported the following:  “hot cocoa, all-village Zermatt scavenger hunt, cards and the Matterhorn Museum on this rainy day.” Next stop: Fiesch, the Aletsch Glacier and – with luck – a bit more sunshine!

America Coast to Coast (ACC1): Actions shots came in early this morning from Josh and Laura! These mile-munchers crushed the road today and were in before lunch!

Here comes the sun… doo dooo doo doooo

Below the group is imitating the statue which sits atop the Millen, GA court house. Quote from Josh: “Our hips don’t lie.”

America Coast to Coast (ACC2): Ally got fancy today and sent us a panoramic image! A little hip pop and glance over the shoulder and these model(student)s are ready to ride in style. Georgia, here we come!  As we go to press, these guys are safely tucked into their camp for the night.

And that, my friend, that’s four days in the books! We have ECC starting in t-minus 2 days and then our blog will be in full force. I can’t wait to see what our leaders have in store for us tomorrow!