Ode to Today:

It’s Apogee summer Day Four,

Around the globe our trips do soar,

Some by foot, by bike, by oar,

And we can hear their fun-filled roar

Of kiddos cheering on for more,

More, food, fun, and friends galore.

Happy Apogee Day Four!

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB CRMA, CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

Casco Bay is home to rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, and is the perfect place for adventure on a hot afternoon. Our fearless group of MCJers headed out into big blue for a morning of paddling. They spotted great blue herons, seals, a horseshoe crab, and even got to swim! Nicely cooled off, they are headed up to Acadia for the next leg of their adventure.

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Old Macdonald had a farm, but CI may have one-upped him today. This group got to bike to the farm themselves, AND enjoy everything a morning of service on the farm had to offer. Chickens were cluckin’, bunnies were hoppin’, the hay was fresh, and our group helped tremendously. After hard work, they spent a well-earned afternoon at the beach enjoying the sun and cooling off. Word from the field is there was definitely some swimming, and sand castles as well.

New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)

NEMCA did more than just go to the ropes course today, they crushed the challenge and adventure. With sun on their faces and warm summer temps the level of challenge was high, as was the rise to meet it!

New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)

Teamwork makes the dreamwork: mantra of the day in Sunny Southern NH. This epic team of NEMCers took on a ropes course today and crushed the challenges. Working together they navigated high ropes, on-the-ground group activities like a giant spider web, and building that teamwork. Bright eyed and bonded as a group, they can’t wait to take on all the challenges to come!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Not enough cellular service during their adventures today for Teddy and Rachel to get us any pictures, but we’re sure they’re enjoying more stunning views and counting up the vertical feet gained.

Caribbean Service (CS)

Our Puertorriqueños are on day two of service in the Tanama Valley. They spent the morning helping clear and restore trails in the area. In the afternoon they headed to ancient Taino burial grounds to take in some of the island’s history (cool stone pic below). After exploring the burial grounds, it was off to a local watering hole for some swimming. What a perfectly rounded day of service and leisure!

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

Today our coastal writers met with their master writing instructor and began sharing and brainstorming ideas. After a productive and thought-provoking morning they hit the coast for an adventurous afternoon on the water – sea kayaking the beautiful Casco Bay!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

Did you know that Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline? DEXA will be exploring some of this extraordinary territory by boat over the next few days. Today was their first day on the water and they’ll be camping on an island the next two nights. Service was spotty on the island so we had trouble getting a photo, but we heard that the weather was awesome and spirits are high!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

Acadia National Park is said to be the gem of the northeast. This great group got to enjoy its beautiful granitic rock features today on their hike up “The Bubbles”. The hike provided terrific views of the park and ocean. On the way out they even passed the, famous to some, Jordan Pond. The group has headed to “Bah Habah” (Bar Harbor, to those not familiar with Maine accents) to explore and take in this iconic town for their afternoon adventure.

Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)

And they’re off! Our VMA team set off for a 22 mile ride towards Branbury this morning after spending their first night getting settled, playing games, and eating a delicious dinner in camp. Over the hills and through the woods they rode, stopping in the quintessential Vermont town of Brandon for lunch. Ride on VMA, ride on! No pictures at this time, but an assurance from Donovan that “lake time” after arrival at camp was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)

First day on the road, and it’s pedal to the metal for our VMB team! After spending the first night at camp under the Vermont stars, our riders hit the road to start their trek north to Canada. Through the rolling hills of the Green Mountain state they rode, enjoying the beautiful views before settling into camp for the evening. More miles and more fun tomorrow! No cell service at tonight’s campground, but we’ll look forward to pictures from tomorrow’s ride!

Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)

Life is good and we may all be moving to Costa Rica after hearing about this group’s day. They started out with a hike to a waterfall where they got to splish-splash in the crystal waters. After a filling, fresh lunch at their hostel they had an afternoon of Spanish class before topping off the day with a salsa making competition. 

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Pura Vida! After travelling from corners of the country his group has gathered way down in Costa Rica and is ready for adventure. With high spirits and hungry bellies they are enjoying their first night together full of fresh veggies, fruits, and fun games. Costa Rica here they come!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)

Point Reyes National Seashore is home to unique geologic features, an elk preserve, a rich cultural history, and some of the cleanest beaches in California. Our crew got to explore this incredible peninsula of land on a hike before they paddled to the mainland. The waters in Tomales Bay are unusually shallow for a bay of this size, perfect for paddling and wildlife sightings. Our group is now settled in their campground outside Yosemite, after a relaxing transit, and are preparing for the park! No photos yet as of posting time, but we’ll be sure to get you your fill of photos tomorrow!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)

Fun Fact: The geology of Tomales point is completely different than that of the mainland. The water that separates the two is a perfect blend of salt and freshwater (brackish water). Beneath these waters the wildlife family includes: manta-rays, seals, fish, and at the end of the point, whales. This group got to explore the wonders of these waters aboard a colorful fleet of kayaks. Once reaching the shores of the mainland they headed to the periphery of Yosemite.

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

NWXA had a combo day – part hiking, part preparing for more hiking. Tomorrow they’ll be heading into their first backcountry section in Olympic National Park. Backcountry means that the group will be out of developed areas, learning to live in the wilderness and enjoying the beauty of untouched natural spaces.

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

NWXB rafted the Sauk River today! They hit some gnarly rapids, donned some sweet wetsuits, and took some great photos. Another excellent day for this crew out West!

Pacific Coast (PCA)

Jessie and Carter’s crew rode a beautiful stretch of road known (affectionately, we’re sure) as the Seven Devils – so named for the seven (or more, depending on how you count them) rolling hills before the final summit and downward swing into camp. Uncle Ben (our trusty PC support staffer) was along to cheer the crew and share in some rare non-ocean views.

Pacific Coast (PCB)

Jumping for joy – High School Musical Style! Team PCB was up to the challenge today and ready to conquer 31 miles, passing great Oregon coast scenery along the way. Pedaling strong into Sunset Bay, they rode. Here at Apogee Headquarters we have to imagine PCB is in for an impressive sunset.

Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)

Let us take a moment to appreciate this momentous occasion: Today saw the first steps an Apogee group had taken on the legendary Carros de Foc. This historic trail has already provided our groups with stunning views, unbelievably good hiking, and a memorable first day. 

Alps Explorer (AXA)

Straight from the Alps: “we are only ever eating fresh bread and cheese again”.  This group had another unreal day hiking up to the iconic alpine hotel Trift. The cheese was plentiful, the waterfalls were flowin’, and the morale was high. Yet again the Alps have provided a “too good to be true” experience for this group of avid adventurers! With their boots broken in they are excited for the hiking and cheese to come!

Alps Explorer (AXB)

Zermatt, Switzerland. What a place. Today’s hike was packed with epic views, and this lucky groups packs were jam packed with fresh baguettes and super swiss cheese! Enjoying their lunch by the oh-so-swiss Hotel Trift the group got to soak in the sunshine and stunning scenery. After returning to the valley there was gelato for everyone! From the smiles below it is safe to say these fortunate friends are sold on Switzerland and all it has to offer.

Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)

First day of riding? Check! Our ECC’ers rode down the Dutch coast today, passing by sand dunes and beautiful “Nordzee” (North Sea) vistas. Tomorrow, it’s more of the beautiful Dutch coast as they make their way towards Belgium.

America Coast to Coast (ACC1)

Sixty-four is the square of 8, the cube of 4, and the sixth power of 2. It is also the atomic number of gadolinium. By a strange coincidence. It is also the amount of miles rode by both ACC1 and ACC 2 on this warm summer’s day. ACC1 cruised into Georgia under the shade of trees raining peaches into their panniers. It has been foretold that this group will consume 64 peaches before the end of the day.

America Coast to Coast (ACC2)

Our ACC2 crew cruised through their first full day of mileage – in record time! Tina and Ezra’s strong riders got into Walterboro this afternoon with time for a leisurely afternoon hang before a lovely dinner with their hosts tonight. Gearing up for day 3 as they inch their way closer to Georgia.