Welcome back, all! Today is Day 15 of the Apo summer, and we’re proud to present Apogee: The Musical! With so many trip starts and final dinners today, we thought we should let the music do the talking this go-round. Sit back, relax, and feel free to sing along!

Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC, CS, MCP, DEX, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2, PMC

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

“Now is the time to seize the day” – “Seize the Day,” Newsies (1992)

The curtains are opening on Act II of CI! We are so excited for this amazing group to seize each day and get rolling along the coast. After some group get-to-know-you games and a safety check ride, this new team couldn’t wait to hit the road! They cruised four easy miles to their first campsite, where a tasty dinner and more games are sure to be in order. We can’t wait to see all the amazing adventures they undertake over the next nine days!

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

“It’s possible!” – “It’s Possible,” Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1957)

Yo yo yo! What’s up, NEMC2? This group met up for the first time today, and it’s possible that this trip is already shaping up to be one for the books! They did some all-important group bonding today, and they’re ready to take things to the next level when they hit the ropes course tomorrow. We’re so excited to hear about all the incredible things this group gets up to!

Caribbean Service (CS)

“Maybe tonight is our last night together / However! / How do you want to face it? / Do you wanna waste it / when the end is so close you can taste it?” – “Carnaval del Barrio,” In The Heights (2008)

Oh man, it sure is a bittersweet day in the beautiful Caribbean! CS may be coming to an end, but we know for certain that they’re not wasting their last night together. This morning, the crew boarded a ferry that took them back to the main island from Vieques. They then spent the afternoon exploring Old San Juan and topped things off with a wonderful final dinner out in the city. We’re bummed that we’ll have to bid them adios tomorrow, but tonight is for celebrating! Way to go, CS!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)

“Because I knew you / I have been changed for good” – “For Good,” Wicked (2003)

It is undeniable that the last 13 days of adventuring, making new friends, and experiencing all that the wonderful Maine outdoors has to offer has changed our DEX trip. What an incredible feat to have accomplished! Last night, they celebrated their stellar trip with a surf and turf dinner – lobster rolls and hamburgers! Before goodbyes this morning, the group got to have one last cereal buffet and rock-skipping session. ‘Till next time, DEX!

Maine Coast Photo (MCP)

“Every day’s like an open door” – “Good Morning Baltimore,” Hairspray (2002)

You know what else is like an open door? A new trip start! Our first MCP crew of the summer met for the first time today (that’s a lot of firsts!) and got to know each other as they traveled up to Boothbay and settled in for the evening. Tomorrow, they’ll hit the ground running with their very first (another one!) photography workshop in the morning. Get ready to see some amazing photos from this crew!

Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)

“One more dawn / One more day / One day more” – “One Day More,” Les Miserables (1980)

While VMA may only have one more dawn together, they for sure made the most of their last full day today! The crew spent their day exploring Montreal after a good night’s sleep in real beds after ten days of camping and a delicious breakfast provided by their hostel. They started their day on Rue St. Paul in order to find worthy souvenirs to return home with and then headed to the Old Port of Montreal, where they bought food for an authentic French-inspired picnic lunch. They then spent the afternoon in Montreal’s unique underground city before heading back above ground for a final dinner out together. Sounds like an incroyable last day!

Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)

“Let’s take a break tonight / And then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye” – “One Last Time,” Hamilton (2015)

While we’re sad we’ll have to say goodbye to VMB tomorrow, it sounds like they’re having a blast taking a break today! After cruising into Montreal yesterday, the crew rested up before heading out to explore the city today. It was a perfect day for exploration, with plenty of shops, laughter, baguettes, and cobblestone streets along the way. Tonight, they got to dine out in the city for their final dinner as a group at a classic French creperie – sounds delicious! We’re so proud of you, VMB!

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

“This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo-bo” – “Boho Days,” Tick, Tick… Boom! (2001)

Spending the last 11 days in magnificent Costa Rica does sound like the life, doesn’t it? And these CRMCers can attest to it! They started their last full day together by catching some sick waves during their morning surfing lesson. Per their trip leaders, “We didn’t let a few sprinkles of rain get us down!” After getting out of the water, the gang then headed back to Alajuela, where they enjoyed a final dinner out as a group! What a life!

California Mountains & Coast A (CMCA)

“Celebrate you, to elevate you / When you struggle to step, we’ll take a helping hand” – “Raise You Up / Just Be,” Kinky Boots (2012)

We’re certainly celebrating our CMCA crew today, and we know they spent their whole trip offering one another helping hands when they were needed! This morning, the group got in the weeds (literally!) doing service with the Half Moon Bay State Beach Rangers. They then left the beach behind for the big city and got to spend their afternoon exploring San Francisco! Tonight, they enjoyed a final dinner as a group together out on the town. It’s been sweet, CMCA!

California Mountains & Coast B (CMCB)

“Can you feel the love tonight?” – “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King (1994)

We can sure feel the love CMCB has for each other here in Brunswick, even though we’re across the country! The crew got to spend their morning with the Half Moon Bay State Beach Rangers, pulling and digging out invasive species on the beach. Reports from the field say they even got some excellent lessons about California beach preservation and the ecosystem! They then hit the road to be in San Francisco in time for lunch and an afternoon of exploring the city. Tonight, they’ll share a final dinner together – and we’ve been told they will be ice cream, too!

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

“So I say thank you for the music / For giving it to me” – “Thank You for the Music,” Mamma Mia! (2008)

These AKMCAers have certainly brought music into one another’s lives throughout their trip, and we’re so grateful for that! After hitting the road to get back to Anchorage this morning, the veteran AKMCA crew got to spend the day soaking up the last hours of each other’s company and exploring the city. The group had a final dinner as a team tonight in the city and then got all packed up for their departures tomorrow. What a trip it’s been!

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

“You can throw out the old way, ‘cause it’s been done / We’re getting ready for the new” – “Everybody Say Yeah,” Kinky Boots (2012)

ACKMB has spent their whole trip gathering new experiences, and today was no different! This morning, AKMCB pulled on their work gloves and got down to business weeding and wood chipping with Anchorage Parks and Recreation. After a morning of hard work, the group got some well-deserved relaxation time in the afternoon to explore the city of Anchorage. Tonight, they feasted on their final dinner in the city. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!

  

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

“Take a break / Run away with us for the summer” – “Take a Break,” Hamilton (2015)

Today, our incredible NWX crew got to stop and take a break before they start their next backcountry section tomorrow! The group got to pick up mail, make some calls home, and get some very well-deserved R&R. Even though they’re resting now, we can tell these explorers are just itching to get back out there!

Pacific Coast (PC)

“We’ve got magic to do / Just for you” – “Magic to Do,” Pippin (1986)

It was a truly magical day for PC today! This lucky bunch got to spend the day cruising along the Avenue of the Giants. Surrounded by such jaw-dropping beauty, their 60 mile ride of rolling hills flew by! There’s just no stopping this group, and we can’t wait to hear about all the miles they’ll conquer tomorrow!

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

“It only takes a taste when it’s something special / It only takes a taste when you know it’s good / Sometimes one bite is more than enough / To know you want more of the thing you just got a taste of” – “It Only Takes a Taste,” Waitress (2016)

AXA has arrived in Italy! They were welcomed in the best way possible – with a visit to a local cheese factory! I’m sure it only took a taste of that cheese to want to bring some home! This intrepid crew crushed nine more miles of the TMB today like it was nothing. As a result, they get to stay at another lovely refuge tonight. Sounds like a dream if you ask me!

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

“I need space / And fresh air” – “Santa Fe,” Newsies (1992)

The AXB group is certainly getting their fill of both space and fresh air – they hit the slopes (although not skiing) of the TMB again today after a well-deserved rest day yesterday. Today’s journey provided some of the most spectacular views of the trip so far – which is hard to believe with the views they’ve already gotten! The crew gets the pleasure of staying at another refuge tonight, and they’ll be back at it again tomorrow!

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

“One short day / Full of so much to do / Every way / That you look in this city / There’s something exquisite / You’ll want to visit / Before the day’s through!” – “One Short Day,” Wicked (2003)

Though they may only have gotten one short day in Paris, ECC1 for sure made the most of it! They traded their bike shoes for walking shoes today as they explored the historic and beautiful city, checking out many iconic landmarks along the way. Paris was amazing, but almost more amazing was the feeling of getting off the bike for a day after so much intense riding! The group will get another day of chill R&R tomorrow before getting back underway.

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

“You can’t stop the beat” – “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray (2002)

Not just the beat – you can’t stop ECC2, either! We almost mistook them for a train, the way they’re chugging along! These road warriors crushed a very hilly 62-mile ride today, spurred on by the prospect of a rest day in Paris tomorrow. After a good night’s sleep tonight, they’ll be hitting the city for a day of relaxation and exploration. We can’t wait to hear all about it!

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

“There’s no hurry anymore / When all is said and done” – “When All Is Said and Done,” Mamma Mia! (2008)

Without any more mountains to climb, PMC is in no hurry to do anything but celebrate. They got up bright and early to hit the road right after breakfast in order to make it to Barcelona for a full day of exploration and celebration. After touring the city, the group convened for a final dinner together, where they shared great laughs and exchanged their favorite stories from the trip. Well done, PMC!