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Day 18: Adventure is Out There!

Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC, CRM, CSA, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VM, CRLS, CMCA, CMCB, MSA, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SHX, AXA, AXB, ECCA, ECCB, ACC1, ACC2

Energy levels are high in the Apogee world today! Along with your standard mix of epic service projects, hikes, and rides, we have a few other milestones upon us. We had five trips begin today – five new Apogee groups beginning their adventures – and all of our three week crews are reaching their final destinations tomorrow – so needless to say, the sense of anticipation is high and many celebrations are imminent or have already begun. Today, we’re feeling proud of all of our Apogee groups out there, for everything they have accomplished together and for everything still to come! As the adorable kiddo from “Up” would say – “Adventure is out there!”

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Cape Cod & the Islands has cruised through their first full day together – they had their first real ride and their first ferry today over to Martha’s Vineyard, where they’ll be for the next two nights. Welcome to the Vineyard, gang!

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A picturesque Vineyard evening…

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

NEMC transitioned to the Freeport, ME area today, stopping en route in Brunswick for an afternoon of community service with the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention program. They’ve settled in to their final camping location of the trip. It looks like they stopped for a photo shoot today as well!

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Between these two awesome USA pics we’ve got the whole group!
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Pt. 2 USA
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BANANAGRAMS aka the best game ever
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Picture perfect Apogee moment – some zen
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The inside scoop: bubbles indicate “major kudos”!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM) 

Today CRM soaked in some epic views with a great day hike – they took on the Estes Cone today – summit-ting at a glorious 11,000 ft! They had beautiful weather and are excited to try rock climbing tomorrow.

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Nothing like a good ‘ol tree hug!
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Leader Tim says they hiked The Cone in search of ice cream cones… they didn’t find those – but the views tasted pretty sweet too!

Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA)

CSA embarked upon their first day of hard work, sweat and fun! Today they worked along the wild Tanama River doing some maintenance and preservation work. The Tanama River is is one of the least developed areas on the island. A great first day of work in the books, CSA!

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Ready to get to work!
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Is that giant bamboo?

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Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

After a morning of writing, our College Essay crew hit the water via kayak – and could not have had a more perfect day for it! They spent the afternoon paddling along the quintessential Maine coastline and enjoyed giving their hard-working noggins a rest. Check out those blue skies!

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Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

Both DEX groups got started today – this group collected their crew and drove north to the beautiful hills of Camden. While the adventures begin in earnest tomorrow – for this evening, it’s get-to-know you games and learning about camping life!

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Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

DEXB is also on day 1 of their adventure! Similarly residing in the rolling hills of Camden, ME this evening – today is for getting to know each other an learning about the in’s and out’s of camping life. Tomorrow, they’ll squeak in a hike in Camden before heading towards Acadia National Park.
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Some sort of silly game!
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Vermont to Montréal (VM)

Vermont to Montreal is crushing miles and made it into camp in record time today. We’re especially impressed considering they had “The Wall” on their route today – a notoriously challenging hill. Mighty cool, VM – keep up the great work!

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Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)

CRLS did their airport meet & greet today and navigated to Turrialba – their first location – where they spend the first half of their trip. They’re just settling in and getting to know each other tonight with some quality card games and hammock hangs!

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Card sharks!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)

Today CMCA began – they’re camping north of San Francisco this evening, near Point Reyes, in preparation to hop into their kayaks tomorrow! We’ve heard they’re all smiles – now we have proof. Look at these happy folks- and what a view!

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Hands in the air!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)

Today this crew met up and headed to camp in the majestic Giant Sequoias – they’re just playing some ice-breakers tonight and taking on their first hike tomorrow!

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The classic day 1 van picture!

Montana Service Adventure (MSA)

MSA went rafting today on the Flathead River! Today is a full river/rest day, and tomorrow is – can you believe it – their last day of biking. Time sure is flying!

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Donning new stylish safety gear

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

NWXA is enjoying their full day on the water in the San Juan islands – they’re exploring the area with our professional guides and getting to soak up all the beauty the area has to offer. Paddling around – maybe they’ll see eagles, star fish, and more! We wouldn’t know though…because they didn’t have quite enough service to sneak us some photos.

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

NWXB is already – we can’t believe it – on their last full day in the back country. They’ll emerge tomorrow – we hope pictures and stories will be plentiful! Today we can only imagine the views they’re seeing…

Pacific Coast (PCA)

PCA sent us some lovely pictures from their ride yesterday so check it out! As our dedicated blogger, Vietze, told you, they had AMAZING views. Not to mention they are getting closer and closer to San Francisco with every passing pedal! Tomorrow: the Golden Gate bridge.

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Everybody!
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THEY ARE SO CLOSE TO SAN FRAN! Can you see it in the picture (nope)
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Blue and orange are complimentary colors: that is why this picture is wonderful
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!! It’s RYAN!!!

Pacific Coast (PCB)

Another day of big smiles, blue skies, and beauteous deserts. (All the “b’s” for PCB!) Tomorrow is their last day of riding and – can you believe it – their epic finish of crossing the Golden Gate. A glorious way to celebrate all that they’ve accomplished.

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Scottish Highland Explorer (SHX)

SHX hiked their longest and final day today – a whopping 19 miles to Inverness! They’re celebrating tonight with pizza and a free concert. How magical – congrats to our champion SHXers!

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19 miles to go!
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“We met the most wonderful people along the way!” – Leader Sam
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Kinder egg surprise!
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19 miles down… Edinburgh, here they come!

Alps Explorer (AXA)

AXApogee (how has no one used this yet?) has arrived at their last campground on the TMB. They’ve hit about a hundred miles of hiking and likely consumed an equivalent amount of cheese thus far. Anyway, they’re savoring those views and getting ready for an epic ending!

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Alps Explorer (AXB)

With the TMB behind them, the group did something way less cool today (just kidding!)… The group hiked on an UNESCO world heritage site, the Aletsch Glacier, today. Every day just seems to be cooler than the one before. And they’re off to their final destination, Geneva, tomorrow!

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Europe Coast to Coast (ECCA)

Today, ECCA rode into Tuttlingen, DE – located east of the Black Forest region in the Swabian Alps. They put 84 hilly and impressive km behind them today. This is likely one of the toughest, and most rewarding days they’ve had to date.


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Europe Coast to Coast (ECCB)

ECCB made it to Schiltach today – a big day of 79 km where they also crossed over the Rhine river. Their home of Schiltach tonight is situated in the eastern Black Forest, along the Kinzig River. We are perhaps more impressed with their face-sized pretzels than we are with their stellar riding!

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America Coast to Coast (ACC1)

ACC1 cruised through 95 miles and right on in to Paris today. Am I confusing them with Europe Coast to Coast, you may wonder? No, indeed – they are in Paris, TX tonight! Love the big smiles, ACC1!

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America Coast to Coast (ACC2)

Today their bike computers may have said “0” but it looked like a 10/10 on the fun-scale. It looks like they enjoyed their well-earned and much anticipated El Dorado rest day.

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