As we reach the two week point of the 2021 Apogee summer, we thought an overly corny acrostic poem was appropriate:

Adventures all over
Plenty of friendship
Overwhelmingly good times
Great laughs
Endless fun
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end (thanks, Semisonic)

Skip to a Specific Trip: CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRLC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWXA, NWXB, NWXC, PC, ACC1, ACC2

Caribbean Service (CS)

Our group departed Vieques via ferry and made it to Old San Juan! After meandering in the beautiful, colorful streets soaking in the rich history of the area, they enjoyed a traditional Puerto Rican dinner on the Plaza de Armes right in the middle of town! But not before trekking to the top of the fortress of Castillo de San Cristobal and snapping a great pic rocking their new Apogee t-shirts.

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

Today we were able to welcome a new fresh group of students to our MCCE trip — which means we get to welcome a whole new group of Apogee Blog readers! As another reintroduction, our MCCE leaders, Chuck and Sage are both Apogee alums, are thrilled to be back with students to help them craft, hone, and perfect some beautiful essays! 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA & DEXB)

A day of “see you laters” all around for our DEXA & DEXB folks! The DEX groups wrapped up their closing evening last night with a wonderful final dinner and a last round of Apogee’s and Perigee’s. Until next time!

Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)

Frances & Mikey must have given quite the pump-up speech this morning, as our VLCA team blazed into camp by Noon today! Along the way, they took a bike ferry and rode across the heart of Lake Champlain via the beautiful causeway bike path. Welcome to Burlington! After riding almost the entire length of Vermont, you’ve got quite a bit to be proud of VLCA. 

Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)

Just keep pedaling.. Just keep pedaling…! 44 miles later and one causeway down, our fearless VLCB bikers cruised into their final destination: Burlington! Today’s ride featured one of the most unique and picturesque sections of the trip, too, as they crossed Lake Champlain via the causeway. Well done, Ellie, Hannah & co!

 

Costa Rica Language & Community (CRLC)

Last day! 

It was CRLC’s last day in beautiful Costa Rica, and boy did they make sure to  make the most of it! They packed up nice and early in order to go zip lining! It sure does make us all feel pretty jealous… the idea of flying over the rainforest sounds a little too ideal! After wrapping up from ziplining they made their way to Alajuela to have one last meal all together before parting ways.

California Mountains & Coast (CMC)

With an early morning of saying goodbyes and farewells, our CMC cohort parted ways, but each with new friends and memories of an adventure of a lifetime. 

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA & AKMCB)

Our fearless Alaska folks headed to the airport bright and early and waved goodbye to their new friends and what they called home for the past 12 days. 

AKMCA enjoying a final dinner out on the town (featuring hockey in the background)

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

Ah, the prep day before a five-day backcountry trip… can’t you just picture it perfectly? Two grocery carts brimming with non-perishables, stuffing socks into the crevices of backpacks, relishing the last proper showers for five days, and we can’t forget the building anticipation before heading into the stunning wilderness of the North Cascades!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

Okay, NWXB, now you’re just showing off. Jonathan and Emmaline’s team tackled a big day hike in Olympic National Park – all the way up to Hurricane Ridge. See for yourself, but it looked like a bluebird day with snow-capped peaks in the background – hard to beat!

Northwest Explorer (NWXC)

Connor & Clio’s crew swapped their hiking poles for paddles as they rafted the Sauk River today. After hoopin’ and hollerin’ down the rapids, they started thinking ahead and preparing for their next adventure: backpacking the North Cascades!

Pacific Coast (PC)

Avenue of the Giants – need we say more? Well, it’s probably worth mentioning that our fearless PC cycling squid cruised through their first (but not last) 60-mile day of their trip. After riding through the Redwoods, they arrived at camp (also surrounded by a 2nd generation Redwood forest) alongside the Eel River. This was easily one of their biggest rides of the entire trip – so major kudos are in order!

America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)

New day, new state, new trip-long mileage! Mark & Grace’s fearless team crossed into Mississippi today en route to a casual 99-mile day. I mean, come on, now you’re just making us feel bad… but more than anything, we’re just real, real impressed with such a big accomplishment!

America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)

If you ride 93 miles the day before, does a 79-miler feel…easy? I doubt they’d call it easy, but they made great time into tonight’s accommodations near Marion, Alabama. And tomorrow? Even easier! Only 68 miles… Keep it up, ACC2!

Found ’em on the map!