One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. -William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare dominated the writing scene from 1564 until his death in 1616. Including developing what is arguably the greatest writing career ever, my good friend Bill is responsible for an incredibly large quantity of expressions, phrases, and snide remarks. Throughout this blog, I will be delving deep into the well of Shakespearean quotes.

By Chandler Smith

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJA, MCJB, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CS, MCCE, MCP, MFT, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SH, AXA, AXB, ACC1, ACC2

Maine Coast Junior (MCJA)

[Thine] face is not worth sunburning

MCJ ventured deep into the heart of Maine’s beautiful Acadia National Park. Full of energy and determination, the group took on today’s hike, experiencing the best that Maine has to offer. Our group eats heartily as the anticipation of tomorrows bike ride fills the camp with excitement!

Maine Coast Junior (MCJB)

Sweet are the uses of adversity
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

There was nothing but the smell of burnt rubber in the air as our MCJrs buckled up (helmets) and pounded the pavement on today’s ride. It was a terrific change of pace both literally and figuratively from yesterday’s activities and our group loved all of the cool spots they were able to discover on two wheels!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Boston day! Wooohooo! Today was a fabulous day of exploring as our team explored the major Bostonian sites – Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and Boston Commons! As we reach the conclusion of this wonderful adventure, the celebratory dinner out in Boston is sure to be filled with laughs, emotions, and a recount of the best stories from the Cape.

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMCB)

Shall I compare thee to a summers day

Our NEMCrs began their wonderful rest day with a delightful swim in the brisk lake! It was lovely to cool off and incredibly refreshing. Now our group is well fed and ready to rock and roll all the way through the rest of this New England adventure together.

Caribbean Service (CS)

O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! And yet again wonderful

The Caribbeaners spent their morning with a substantive beach clean up followed by some fun and relaxation in the sand and waves — all of this in the stunning Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Look at those clear waters and clear skies! Another gorgeous day in Puerto Rico.

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

Grow wisely and slowly, for those who rush stumble and fall

Today was MCCE’s day to put the ink and quills down for a rest to take some time to give back to the local community. The crew spent time at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program right here in good ol’ Brunswick!

Maine Coast Photo (MCP)

The world is my oyster

Our MCPrs found their aquatic roots as they spent the day kayaking, swimming, and adventuring off of the beautiful Maine Coast. They followed up this fabulous activity with an editing workshop facilitated by their photography instructor!

Maine Farm to Table (MFT)

He hath eaten me out of house and home

With dirt in their fingernails and a sweat on their brow, our MFTrs really hit their stride out in the field this morning. After coming inside to wash off their now dirty hands, our friends competed against each other in an epic Iron Chef competition! The real winners were the judges;)

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

But if the while I think on thee, dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end

This group of Downeasters is still trekking along the Appalachian Trail – we won’t get photos until tomorrow, but we can picture the babbling brooks and sneak peeks of Mount Katahdin perfectly. We sure can’t wait to hear how the wilderness exploration went!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

Stay close to anything that makes you glad to be alive

After a wonderful day of hiking on Maine’s tallest mountain and swimming behind them, our DEXBers are traveling, resupplying, and letting the anticipation build as the group gets excited for tomorrow’s sea kayaking adventure! The rest and nourishment is much needed for these tired legs as they clearly bond and relish in each others company.

Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)

I would not wish any companion in the world other than you

We have done it! The VMA team made it all the way to Montreal! They biked along the beautiful city bike path and braved the hill up to the hostel. There is no doubt that our VMAers absolutely deserve (and need) a shower. Now that they are at home in the city, our group is excited to explore and eat some delicious food tomorrow! Hopefully they can find some yummy maple syrup.

Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)

Be great in act as you have been in thought

It is clear that our VMBrs can walk the walk. They conquered their 50 miles yesterday and truly leaned on the support of each other in order to make it all the way to Montreal. Now that we are set in a city filled with wonderful cheese and maple syrup, our VMBrs can’t wait to experience everything Montreal has to offer!

Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet

With the last day of Spanish class today, the crew had culminating projects and presentations — some of the group presented on important Costa Rican legends and others taught a classic Costa Rican dance. For the second half of the day the group carried on to immerse themselves in building community at a local elderly home.

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool

Up and out very early, our CRMCrs are (literally) leaning on each other on what is yet another wonderful day in Costa Rica. Today this team hits the trails and hikes out from their fantastic abode, ready to travel up the beautiful coast!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)

Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly

California Mountains and Coast has emerged from three nights in the back country. Now they have left Big Basin Redwoods State Park and are off to the beach in preparation for tomorrows surfing adventure. There is no doubt that an ocean rinse is needed to get these adventurers cleaned up and ready to keep rollin’!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)

The golden age is before us, not behind us

The Golden age is certainly before us with these young adventurers as they emerge from the back woods of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. As they dramatically approached the beach, it seems like a good wash in the ocean and a beautiful Californian sunset is exactly what the doctor ordered!

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

The wheel is come full circle: I am here

Another day on the water for this happy crew – exploring the San Juans via kayak with gorgeous weather, and big smiles. Make no mistake, that’s Mt. Baker in the background, birds in the sky, and harbor seals waving hello!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

Action is eloquence

We can’t believe it’s here already – tonight is the last night in the backcountry for NWXB! We can’t wait to see photos from their glorious 5-night stint come in tomorrow!

Pacific Coast (PCA)

To thine own self be true

PCA stopped and explored Point Reyes today as they continued to make their way down the coast. Guess what! Only ONE MORE DAY OF RIDING! Stoke levels are high as the group cruises along the bike path and towards camp. With food in their bellies and SF in their sites, there is nothing stopping this PCA group.

Pacific Coast (PCB)

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so

Big day of riding for these Pacific Coasters! 63 big ones in fact – yowza! We’ve heard this is a gorgeous ride with some sweet rollers and fantastic scenery – enjoy, team. What’s for breakfast tomorrow? The Golden Gate Bridge!

Scottish Highlands (SH)

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves

Well look at what we’ve got here – the Highlanders went kayaking today, in matching outfits no less! Blue skies, blue jackets, big smiles – what more do you need? What a great way to celebrate being done with their hikes, by giving their legs a rest and spending the day on the water.

Alps Explorer (AXA)

We know what we are but we know not what we may be

Another lovely day on the TMB for AX-Awesome! How’d the day go, you ask? “Lots of fun? Yeah. Lots of laughs? Certainly… What a place. What a life.” What a quote from our fearless AXA leaders. And also – good gravy – what views!

Alps Explorer (AXB)

The portrait of a blinking idiot (These views make us feel like a blinking idiot!)

We cannot believe these phenomenal views. Ridge line? Snow? Blue skies? Oh my! Another totally tubular day in the Alps. Today this crew took on slightly different terrain by hiking on an epic glacier.

America Coast to Coast (ACC1)

The day shall not be up so soon as I,
To try the fair adventure of tomorrow

It was so-long-farewell for ACC1 this morning! After 6 weeks together and the entire country covered, we imagine the goodbyes were not easy. We hope these accomplished cyclists are heading home with full hearts and happy memories!

America Coast to Coast (ACC2)

Some are born great, others achieve greatness

We are bursting with pride for this ACC2 mighty crew – today they made it to the Pacific. 43 days, 2500+ miles, and a million+ smiles and laughs later – they did it, they did it, they did it! Way to go ACC2!