By: Annika Nygren

Day 44: Hello, hello, wide world of Apogee, and what a bittersweet day it is! Our trips seem to have come and gone in a flash and tomorrow marks the final day of the remaining 12 groups, in addition to Apogee’s adventure season. Where did the time go?! I know time flies when you’re having fun, but this is just ridiculous… Although there will be one final blog post tomorrow, we understand that you blog-reading super fans out there might taper off as you pick up your wonderful adventurers tomorrow. SO, I thought today’s pseudo last post should go out with a bang and I am going to give my rhyming skills another go.

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ A): Time to check in on some of our youngest kiddos, who spent the morning paddling like little superheroes. Sea kayaking induced facial expressions named the opposite of a frown, and now it’s time to go out on the town! Off to dinner in Portland tonight to eat out on the town and not by head light.

Now, wait a second – why won’t mine go anywhere?

Juvenile bald eagle on the branch!

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ B): Service in the morning with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust – protecting those sweet little squash from the scary weeds was an absolute must! After a morning in the beautiful summer sun, Marino and Erin’s group hopped into their own kayaks for some fun, fun, fun! Dinner in Portland is underway, we’re sad to see these nuggets go on this very last day.

Vermont to Montreal (VM): After two great days in Montreal, we’re happy to hear Abby and Reuben’s group had a ball! Today they transitioned from Canada back to the U.S., sporting their new blue Apogee t-shirts looking dapper and well-dressed.

California Mountains and Coast (CMC): Emma and Dylan’s group spent the morning doing some habitat restoration at Half Moon Bay State beach, while the leaders configured their final dinner and speech. Exploring San Francisco was super exciting and cool, eating dinner on the town is sure to rule!

Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA): One last day of exploration in beautiful, historic San Juan was followed by fresh coconut water as a snack add-on. These folks are really bummed to be leaving the tropics, but I will no longer have to be jealous of the palm trees in their blog pics!Coco frio!

We get it, Lucy and Will… you’re tan and living the dream in Puerto Rico. Can’t wait to see you surfing-service doers soon!

Montana Service Adventure (MSA): Exploring Whitefish after many days of hard service work and riding, taking a break from the saddle definitely sounded inviting. Hannah and Opie had a wonderful crew, we’re going to miss the wildlife and nature from those gorgeous Montana views.

Northwest Explorer (NWX): Wrapping up an amazing trip with some service at Dash Point State Park, helping on the land and doing their part. Hiking in the Northwest was truly a treat, with back country exposure that can’t be beat! Izzy and John are quite the leader pair, try to beat these group pictures, if you dare…

Pacific Coast (PCA): No more biking and lots of ice cream for Jeanne and Matt’s team’s liking. Taking San-Fran by stride, putting saying goodbye to the side. This team conquered many the miles, leaving us here looking at all of those accomplished smiles.

Pacific Coast (PCB): Trevor and Kate had a similar picture spot to PCA, everybody wants to check out the Haight! After biking all of those hills, these guys definitely earned this ice cream bill. Although this team must part tomorrow, we hope that it won’t be with too much sorrow. We hate to see our new friends go, you crushed that West coast, “like woah.”

Alps Explorer (AX): Check the Tour du Mont Blanc off of the bucket list, these European adventures will sure be missed! Jack and CC’s crew saw some pretty sweet sights and braved a few chilly hikes. Not many can say they hiked through three countries in 20 days, but hey that’s the Apogee way! We welcome you soon back to the land of red, white and blue!

America Coast to Coast (ACC2): After six weeks together without a day apart, how does one say goodbye without an aching heart? Crushing America from coast to coast, a bragging right they will forever have to boast. What an adventure through nine different states, we hope tonight’s dinner is full of clean plate’s! 

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE): Sharing essays out loud made leaders Nick and Mia oh so proud. The weather was perfect, which contributed to the fun in hearing everyone’s college essay subject. Way to work hard and write on these summer days, we know that it will pay off in a big way!!

And now it is time for me to bring this second-to-last-post to and end, I hope my rhymes weren’t too hard to comprehend (jokes). This summer has been a whirlwind of laughs, new friends, epic views and crazy blog themes… an Apogee summer I shall keep in my heart and forever close to me. I would like to sign out with a song the Apogee leaders showed me before they went out and about. Included below is a link to the original, I hope my new words will help give you a visual. Thank you all so much for keeping up with these posts, for you it is what will making me miss writing the most. Until tomorrow when I officially sign off, I hope you enjoy your Friday and cook some rice pilaf.

“Rivers and Roads” the original by The Head and Heart with lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3OAc5TgrY

Here is the instrumental version to sing along to Apogee Style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuLZ7oQ-2zo

Rivers and Roads 

By: Emily Sherry (shout out to CQ!) and yours truly

A day from now we’ll all be gone

All our friends will go on their way

 And they’re going to miss these places 

Oh how I wish we all could stay

What a great time it has been

Oh the stories I have to tell

Of all the times that we excelled

and how I miss you all as well

  Ohhh ooooh oh

Oooooh oh

Ohhhh oooooh oh

Ooooh oh

Been talkin’ ‘bout the trips we did

And all the hikes and hills we crushed

If you don’t know how to say goodbye

Then we will not farewell

So if we try and persevere

We will see you all next year!

Ohhh ooooh oh

Oooooh oh

Ohhhh oooooh oh

Ooooh oh

Ohhh ooooh oh

Oooooh oh

Ohhhh oooooh oh

Ooooh oh

Rivers and roads

Mountains and coast

Biking ’til I reach you

Service and aid

Oh Islands and plains

oh Rivers ’til I reach you

Hikin’ the globe

Bikin’ with loads

Hiking ’til I reach you

Rivers and roads

Rivers and roads

Rivers ’til I greet you!