On Day 10 of the Apogee blog, we’re going meta. Breaking the fourth wall.
Reader (yes, you!), please stand up. Shake out your legs, take a deep breath, and drink some water. Nice job! Okay, take a seat. You’re all warmed up for the best Apogee day yet. Buckle up. Today we had sea kayaking, backpacking, service projects, and most of all, a July 5th chock-full of adventure. All in a day’s work! Read below to find out more.
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRM, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRLC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWXA, NWXB, NWXC, PC, ACC1, ACC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
Last day, best day for the kids at MCJ! On this beautiful July day (weather in the mid-70s, sunny, perfect), these folks spent the morning engaging in a community service project with a local organization, Growing to Give, working on the farm and in the garden. After a morning of dirt-under-fingernails, laudable service, and a baby blue sky, MCJ headed to beautiful Freeport to see the biggest bean boot known to humankind and share a delicious last dinner together. Back home tomorrow…tonight was a powerful one!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
More than a feeling! That’s right, reader. After leaving Provincetown this morning, the CI squad spent their last full day together in Boston. So much history in “The Hub”–revolutionaries dumped tea into Boston Harbor, Sam met Diane, Tom Brady defected to Tampa Bay (too soon?), the list goes on and on. But, to date, there had been nothing more historic than the CI squad’s arrival in Boston. Nine days and over a hundred miles later, this group of superstars spent the day exploring Boston and grabbing a tasty last meal together to celebrate a job well done. Great job, folks! We’re proud of you!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
After their kayaking adventure got rained out yesterday, our NEMCers headed into Freeport to visit the pride and joy of Leon Leonwood Bean this morning before hitting the water of Casco Bay with their professional kayaking guides. To cap off their adventure together, they’ll celebrate with a delicious final dinner together. Nice job, team! We’re so excited to hear all about your trip!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
Victory lap for CRM today! After eight days in the majestic mountains of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this incredible group headed into Boulder for a final day of story-swapping and delicious meals. After a late morning and hearty breakfast, Amelia, Harrison, and the crew made their way to the home of Ralphie the Buffalo and CU Boulder. What an experience! Eight days together in Colorado…we’re sure this group has so much to reflect on!
Caribbean Service (CS)
Who let the dogs out?! Not CS!
That’s right folks, the CS team spent today serving at a local humane society where they organized a ton of dog and cat crates that will be used to transport future adopted pets to their forever homes! According to Kendra and Kramer, these crates could be incredibly complicated to put together, but the brilliant CSers showed remarkable perseverance and rose to the challenge! After a long day of rewarding work, this group hit the beach to soak up some sun and take a well-deserved siesta. Hats off to you, CS. We know a lot of cats and dogs are thankful for you, too!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
KATAHDIN! The fabulous folks at DEXA spent the day summiting Maine’s most famous peak and they killed it! Jack, Lindsay & co., with the essential support of rockstar support staffers Sav and Maddy, climbed the 5267′ summit like they were born for it, and with funky headwear to boot. After such an exhilarating day, this group of superstars headed back to camp for a great dinner and some well-needed R&R. Crushed it!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
Day 2 in the backcountry for DEXB! These backcountry explorers spent the day hitting the trackways of the Appalachian Trail, the longest “hiking only” trail in the world. Between snippets of birdsong and babbling mountain streams, this group was sure to come up with some wacky trail names and wackier trail games! After a long day on the trail, they retired for the night to the sound of wind through the trees, happy bellies, and dreams of Mount Katahdin (coming soon!).
Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)
Today’s the day! On the fifth day of July, in the year twenty twenty-one, VLCA swam in the magical Lake Champlain. But first, on this pitch-perfect day, these Vermonsters rode to a nearby lakeside park and spent several hours picking up trash and cleaning up the park, hiking trails, and gravel bike trail. Congrats to the trash collecting team “Off Road Zumbas” for collecting the most trash of any team!
Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)
This was an epic day for VLCB as well! Indeed, VLCB cruised through 25 miles today on this beautiful day. Oh, and if the weather and great riding wasn’t enough, how about a surprise cake?! This was a day of days in Vermont, and VLCB is a fantastic group…it’s the best crossover episode you’ve ever seen!
Costa Rica Language & Community (CRLC)
Day four in Turrialba! The CRLC squad spent the morning in their daily Spanish language class honing their skills and making progress on their road to fluency. After lunch, Maeve, Finnegan, and the team spend time helping out at the Nortico cocoa farm today, which is named because it is owned by a Norwegian and a Tico! They specialize in cocoa production through responsible agroforestry methods and have a great view while they do it. ¡El volcán Turrialba en el fondo! (The Turrialba volcano in the background!) With the sun going down as early as 5:30, it was early to bed, early to rise for these folks. More exciting class time and activities to come tomorrow! Pura Vida indeed!
California Mountains & Coast (CMC)
Today was CMC’s last full day in the fabled backcountry of Yosemite National Park. Over the past three days, this group has had the chance to experience the park like few ever get the chance to do. It’s been an incredible few days–sweeping vistas, star-filled nights, ever lighter packs–we can be sure that these folks have found themselves at the extent of their wandering, only to push further into the unknown and gather a deeper knowledge of themselves and the world. Tomorrow, the CMC folks will head out of the backcountry and onwards to their next destination. However, we can be sure that they will carry the wilderness experience with them. As John Muir writes in My First Summer in the Sierra, “We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.” Wander on, family!
TL;DR–Leader Nate has gone full wild man.
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
AKMCA hit the water today! After getting the rundown on water and kayak safety, the AKMCA and their guides spent the day enjoying a ferry ride and kayaking to Holgate Glacier. On their way along the shoreline, they kept their eyes peeled for all kinds of wildlife in the shadow of the majestic glacier. Before they headed out to kayak, the AKMCA crew spent some time enjoying charming Seward, AK taking in the fourth of July celebrations. According to Mandy and Julian, a brave few even tried reindeer hot dogs! No statement from the North Pole press office yet….
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
AKMCB Backcountry Part II: The Empire Strikes Back
That’s right, folks. AKMCB is in the majestic Alaska backcountry once again! This time around they’ll be in the backcountry for three days and two nights, which will be simultaneously challenging, rewarding, and exciting! It will be a glorious three days in the Chugach backcountry, full of incredible views, conversation, and trail names. Happy trails, folks!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
It’s a rest day for NWXA! On a trip as power-packed as this one, rest days are so incredibly important. After a later wake-up time and a delicious breakfast, the NWXA team ran some errands and explored Bellingham, WA (not to be confused with Bellingham, MA), the northernmost city in the contiguous United States! It was a beautiful day in Bellingham–mid-60s and partly cloudy, a welcome respite from the heat of last week! After a restorative rest day, this group is primed and ready to get back to work tomorrow!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
Today was NWXB’s second and last day in the backcountry of North Cascades National Park. In the midst of NoCa’s 300 glaciers, 500 lakes and ponds, and magnificent peaks, the NWXB is walking through some of the most impressive topography in the continental U.S. We are so pumped for them! NoCa’s highest peak is 9220′, but that’s nothing compared to the levels of stoke in the office right now. Keep up the good work NWXB!
Northwest Explorer (NWXC)
After an exciting few days in Olympic National park, the folks at NWXC got some well needed R&R during their rest day in charming Bellingham. WA. They made a *very important* laundry stop, got some groceries, and spent the rest of the day in B’ham enjoying a bluebird day and some tasty ice cream! After this rehabilitative day, NWXC is ready to take on whatever the next days bring!
Pacific Coast (PC)
The PC folks are officially one week into their trip! Today was a special day for this group: no time on the saddle! And a well-deserved rest day it was. PC kicked their rest day off the night before by celebrating July 4th with a great fire and some sparklers! They had a full day to rest and recuperate before getting back in the saddle tomorrow. Sleep well, folks!
America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)
Hot diggity dog! Burgers, too! Yesterday, the ACC1 family spent Independence Day eating American fare and fueling up after their 73 mile day. Lucky for them, their day in La Grange today was a much needed rest day. Our brave ACC1’ers spent today doing laundry, resting up, and eating well. They’ll be back on the road tomorrow…Alabama awaits them!
America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)
Hills for breakfast. Pool for dessert. What a day. ACC2 spent today making more progress in the Peach State. At the end of a 60+ mile day, they spent the evening the best way…in the pool. After getting to camp, these folks took to the campground pool to recover from a great day of biking before a hearty dinner. Crushing Georgia! Keep up the good work, family.
