Day 10! We’ve officially hit double digits in the Apo-sphere today, and that means one thing: Double the fun! These superstars pushed themselves to new limits today, crossing international borders, helping local communities with community service and building lifetime friendships. We bid a farewell to our resident writers this afternoon, as well as our first Colorado Crew, and the language & service team in Costa Rica. We wish them all adieu and cannot wait to see what opportunities await them in future. Check out the photos below to catch up!
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRMA, CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Way back when, in the year 1620,the Mayflower landed in Provincetown. Today, in the year 2018, our CI riders did the same. After crushing a challenging, but equally rewarding 24 mile ride to P-Town, the group settled in for their last night under the Cape Cod stars. Tomorrow, our CI kiddos will hop on the fourth and final ferry, sailing to their final destination: Boston!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
One water adventure is never enough, especially not for this crew. This group of water lovin’ folks headed to the coast today and spent the afternoon sea kayaking the crystal clear waters of Casco Bay, what a day! Fun Fact: Casco Bay is rumoured to be the storage grounds for pirate Captain Kidd’s stolen treasure!
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
As their days together begin winding down, team NEMCB has made it their mission to see as many water features as possible. Yesterday, the explorers hiked to Arethusa Falls (pictured below), and then today… wait for it… it’s RAFTING DAY for NEMCB!! It was time for our crew to hang up their hiking boots and raft down the Androscoggin River.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A (CRMA)
Can you hear it? Ahhhhhh, hmm. The sad sigh of goodbyes. This morning, this group parted ways and returned to their respective homes after an incredible week of mountain adventures. They got to hike the hikes, climb the climbs, see the lakes, and have an incredible time. They will be remembering these adventures for summer days to come!
Caribbean Service (CS)
It’s one adventure after another for our CS squad. This morning, the group slipped into some flippers, and strapped on their goggles for a snorkel excursion. The crew got a chance to snorkel around Cayo Afuero, where they were able to get close to thousands of marine species that inhabit the majestical coral reefs. Apo’s very own service team then volunteered their time with a beach clean.
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
This group has had an amazing week together, writing, and exploring the beauty of coastal Maine. This morning contained bittersweet goodbyes for this group as they parted ways, college essays in hand, new friendships in their hearts.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
It’s night number two on the Appalachian Trail for team DEXA. No cell service means no photographic evidence, but here in the Aposphere we are confident that the young explorers are having a blast. Hiking, and views, and snacks, and laughs galore. Can’t you just picture it?
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
Our DEXB explorers are out of Baxter State Park, armed with awesome memories, tired legs, and cell service! We got the coveted update from our leaders – yesterday was a day well spent checking out some trails on Mt. Katahdin and then getting their splishy splashy swim on in a river. The squad spent today prepping for their next few nights kayaking and volunteering on an island! Island life here they come!
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
Have you ever crossed an international border on two wheels self supported with a group of your closest friends?!? This group of VMers has! Today they made the epic, and iconic, border crossing from Vermont into Canada on their bikes. Wahoooooo! Beyond crossing borders they are now within a French speaking territory. Bonjour Canada!
Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
Vermont’s name comes from the French expression ver mont, meaning green mountains. The Green Mountains of Vermont are lush and beautiful in summer months. Our bikers got to see this first hand today on their stunning ride continuing North towards Grand Isle. They put another great day of riding in the books.
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
Adios Amigos! The Costa Rican rainforest got a little extra rain today as this group parted ways and shed a few tears. After a trip full of learning, language, lots of adventure, and laughs they are sad to say goodbye. They can fondly reflect on their time together every time they use the Spanish they learned.
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Today our CRMC crew travelled deep into the Costa Rican jungle to start the next portion of their adventures. The group is looking forward to spending the next few days of community service, exploring the jungle paradise, and falling asleep to soothing sounds of waterfalls and rushing rivers. Spirits are high but unfortunately (for us) cell service is low. We can’t wait to see pictures – Que fantastico!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Hello Aposphere! We present to you this fine, fresh out of the backcountry crew! After an amazing stint in Yosemite they headed out of the mountains to just outside the park. It’s pretty incredible to think that this impressive bunch carried everything they needed for the past few days in their backpacks, using their feet to move miles!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
What’s the difference between the storied heroes of old that first explored Yosemite and this group? Yeah you guessed it, nothing! These friends are out of the backcountry and bursting with sights and stories of their dreamy time in the backcountry. They are now out of the park and ready for the final leg of their adventure.
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
Don’t call it a comeback, NWXA has been here for years. The backcountry beckoned Clark and Addie’s dream team once again, this time in a can’t-beat route in the celestial North Cascades National Park. One of America’s most remote natural spaces, the park is home to spectacular sub-alpine meadows, whistling marmots and a few hundred miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. After their first successful backcountry trek in the Olympics, this team is primed and ready for round two!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
San Juan, two, three, four, let’s go kayak and explore! Day two in the northern islands of Washington was yet another hit for NWXB as they enjoyed an afternoon paddling amongst the marine life of the Puget Sound. The two seater boats gave the squad an opportunity to explore the area, catching glimpses of the glistening Mount Baker, towering ocean cliffs and a variety of aquatic creatures. With friends like these, who needs anemones?
Pacific Coast (PCA)
Redwoodn’t it be nice to be enjoying the California sun via bike right now? We here on the east coast sure think so. Our west coasters are living the dream these days, zooming further south through redwood groves as they approach the halfway mark of their legendary adventure.
Pacific Coast (PCB)
We’re all familiar with the classic 1950s stage musical Bye, Bye Birdie, but what about Bye, Bye Boardie? Following yesterday’s surfing excursion our PCB team traded in their boards for bikes as they wheeled away from the beach towards Redwood National Park. No service at their campground but we heard via old-school payphone that the group is in camp and all is well. Why can’t payphones send photos these days, amiright?
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
This strong group hiked along the GR10 trail today, continuing to the coast, following the borders of France and Spain. With full packs, and full hearts they ascended gorgeous mountain passes. This trail promises stunning views, and impressive elevation. Our group confirmed with this picture!
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Our Alps explorers had another grand day in the French Alps. Fantastique! After a warm breakfast with the “best croissants we’ve EVER HAD” (leader Jeanne’s words, not mine), the group trekked along a ridge and hiked down into Chamonix, an incredibly picturesque town at the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy. If hiking the TMB means warm croissants in the morning and picturesque towns count me in!
Alps Explorer (AXB)
Many are unaware of the truly incredible history along the Tour Du Mont Blanc. This crew passed a few notably aged landmarks today including a bridge built in Roman times! Who even knew things from the Romans were still in use? This also day marks the longest in mileage for this crew, the Apogee of their trip in some ways! Unfortunately not enough service to get us a photo today, but if we had to take a gander, we’d guess the views were epic.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
ECC made some unexpected friends today with some friendly French Cows. They spent their day biking through lush countryside, full of rolling hills and quaint French farmhouses. You could say today was udderly delightful for the group!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
The Tour de France might have started today, but for our riders on the Tour de USA it’s just another epic ride in the bag. Team ACC1 continued their ride through sweet home Alabama, pushing through a grand 80 miles to reach the final destination of Marion, Alabama. Fun fact: Marion is the 152nd most populous city in the state of Alabama, of 573 cities.
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
Rest, Rest, Rest! This group could be the very best! This group has been absolutely been crushing it! Cruising through the south they have been making great time so far on their Coast to Coast journey. They have earned their day off in the shade today. @ ACC2 you rock!
