Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
For today’s blog, we’ve decided to serve up your daily dose of fabulous photos with a side of… fun facts! Not only do we enjoy seeing the places our trips are visiting, but we also enjoy learning a thing or two about them. In the most fact-tastic blog post yet, we have provided a relevant fact for every trip. From all of us at Apogee: we hope you have a fact filled day! Enjoy!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Boston is home to the oldest lighthouse in the country! This group passed it today on their way to their final destination. Words from the field: “Our fearless travelers’ bike-powered voyage brought them to the northernmost point of Cape Cod, where historic Provincetown and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean awaited. Although saddened to depart their trusty metal steeds, these now-veterans of the road looked ahead to the hustle and bustle Boston with open hearts, open minds, and many stories to tell.”
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
In 1982 the residents of Freeport, ME fought their local legislation’s decision to tear down the historic 1850’s Greek Revival house to make way for a new McDonald’s. Rather than demolish the historic site in place for the renowned fast food chain, the town implemented a decision to build the restaurant inside the centuries old building, maintaining the elegant exterior appearance of the site while working to provide the townspeople with a convenient dietary option. Modeling the resilience of the Freeport citizens of the early 80’s, our NEMCA-ers completed their trip service day with admirable gusto and tenacity. The gang popped their tents near the Maine coast tonight for their final evening together.
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
No transatlantic port in the United States is closer to Europe than Portland, and no NEMCB crew in the history of Apogee is closer to our hearts than this year’s wonderful crew of kiddos and leaders alike. Lyla and Noah’s New England bunch hit the water for the second straight day, paddling the immaculate waters of the Maine coast via sea kayak. The team settled in near Freeport for their final evening reflecting on the friendships they have made and the memories they will have forever – and to eat some delicious gelato, of course!
Caribbean Service (CS)
This giving group is currently staying on the island of Vieques. Vieques is fondly known, by its residents, as Isla Nena, meaning little girl island. Beyond their own name for their home, residents also have nine Vieques specific holidays – and this group has now had nine days of togetherness to celebrate as well! Today was full of sunshine, service, and swell times! Ahhh to be in paradise…
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
The Appalachian Trail goes through 14 states and is the longest “hiking-only” footpath in the world. What the AT does not have is cell towers. Lucky for us, this crew is out of the backcountry and sent some lovely photos from their time on the AT all the way to us here in Brunswick so that we can share them with you. Without further ado…!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
The biggest island in the world is Greenland – a country within the kingdom of Denmark. The smallest island in the world is Bishop Rock, off the coast of Sicily, with an population of 1 lonely Lighthouse manager. The DEXB squad will be spending tonight on a different island whose size falls in between the aforementioned archipelagos. They were even able to get us a couple photos for reference!
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
Did you know that John Lennon’s classic “Give Peace a Chance” was written in Montreal at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1969? While we, here at the office, certainly appreciate the sentiments of Lennon’s hit, we think the Beatles’ lead vocalist could have taken a page from the VMA crew and given “pedals” a chance instead. Team VMA enjoyed their second day on Canadian terrain and tackled more miles en route to Montreal.
Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
You gouda brie kidding me! This unbeatable squad is all smiles today after crossing into Canada, the world’s foremost consumer of macaroni and cheese. The gang chowed down on some delicious food after crushing their highest mileage day of the entire trip. Say cheese!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Get a load of this: Costa Rica is home to only .03% of the planet’s surface but holds 5% of its biodiversity! Not a bad place to call home for a few weeks. Today’s activities included further exploration of the rainforest and a day of service near Savegre. As they round the homestretch for their epic South American adventure, CRMC continues to make the most of each and every day of trip life. Sadly deep jungle exploration means no photos today, but we can’t wait to see their smiling faces in a future blog post!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Little known fact: the founders of Half Moon Bay, originally named it Half Pizza Bay. Three years later, they had a disastrous pizza factory meltdown – starting a really tumultuous decade for this small coastal town. At the conclusion of this decade they decided to rename the town Half Moon Bay in an attempt to put their horrific past behind them. This wonderful semicircular bay provided CMCA with some waves today for veritable surfing extravaganza! (Editor’s note: after a brief Google search it appears as though this fact may, in fact (pun intended), be fiction. Credit to the author for the creativity, but please don’t update any Wikipedia pages based on this blurb).
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
Did you know that California produces more than 300,000 tons of grapes annually? Did you also know that CMCB had 300,000 tons of summer fun on their surfing expedition today?! Down in Half Moon Bay our California crew had a whole day’s worth of hanging ten, shredding the barrels and developing accents a la Crush the turtle from Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo. Rumor has it they’re planning a fierce (read: fun) Iron Chef competition for tonight’s dinner. Surf’s up!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
The North Cascades are classified as an IUCN II area. This means that the land in this area is closely protected to protect the large scale natural relationships and processes. This group is getting to experience this first hand as they meander among the pristine landscape. We know that after a few days they are pin(e)ing for more! Still in the backcountry means still no pictures, but we cant wait for lots at the end.
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
San Juan County was the first county in Washington state to ban styrofoam take-out containers. You know what they don’t ban? Enthusiastic Apogee-ers exploring via sea kayak and providing quality community service in the beautiful waters of the Puget Sound!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
Fun Stat #1: One out of every eight United States residents lives in California. Fun stat #2: 11/11 PCA-ers are loving life in Northern California these days. The classic 1960’s folk band the Mamas & the Papas would be proud on this day, for this team is truly California Dreamin’. Today’s ride marked another 40+ mile day for the Cali crew.
Pacific Coast (PCB)
Fun Stat: The largest living tree is a Sequoia in Sequoia National Park in California. It is 102 feet in circumference. Now in Redwood territory, not to be confused with their large cousins the Seqouias, our group is enjoyed a day biking along through the humbling beauty of the California coast.
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
France produces almost 1 billion tons of cheese every year in 1,200 varieties. Our PMCers made the marvelous journey to the beach town of Hendaye today – passing through the hills to on the way. They are going to continue this down hill journey tomorrow as they plunge into the ocean with surf boards and attempt to be the first people ever to stand on them…in Hendaye…on an Apogee trip. Still, it will be impressive!
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Fun Stat: Ibex are mountain goats that live in very high mountainous regions. There are 5 species of Ibex in Europe. As our very own AXA mountain goats continued their Tour du Mont Blanc journey, they had a wonderful day climbing mountain passes, passing wildlife, and enjoying everything the Alps has to offer.
Alps Explorer (AXB)
As this crew passes into Italy today, we can look to another Italian border for our fun stat! On the Italian/Austrian border, Otzi the Iceman – a 5,000 year old mummified man – was found! Who knows what our group could discover on their epic crossing today…
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
France was the first country to use camouflage in 1915. Coincidentally, the ECC team moves so quickly through the french countryside that they similarly blend into their surroundings as a dull blur. This blur came into focus in Attigny today – a lovely town in the French countryside that has structures dating back to Charlemagne.
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
Did you know that the now extinct giant ground sloth used to roam the forests of Alabama? This group is probably riding right over the bones of these magnificent beasts. They are making their way out of the hills of Appalachia and into the plains. With only 63 miles today (only… HA!), they should have plenty of time for some short archaeological digs to try and find some of our large extinct friends.
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
As you can imagine, after a day of rest this squad absolutely flew through their first 90+ day. They are setting Apogee records, one after another. The only way they could go any faster is if they rode one of the camels imported to Alabama for agricultural work in the 1850’s. Unfortunately, they are no longer around as they were not suited for the climate. Good thing this crew is so speedy on their own!
