Did you know? It’s Day 31 of our Apogee summer, and we have some fascinating facts to share. We had to say goodbye to three wonderful trips today, and they are headed home filled with new memories and knowledge. Every day is exciting on an Apogee trip, and you know what they say – you learn something new every day!
Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMCA, AKMCB, AX, CCM, CRMC, CS, DEX, ECC1, ECC2, ECC3, GSA, IMC, MCCE, MCJ, NEMC, NWX, PC, PMC, VMA, VMB
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
Did you know? Anchorage has more espresso stands per person than anywhere in the U.S.
My oh my, how the time has flown by! After twelve glorious days immersed in the Alaskan wilderness, this group explored Anchorage (home to 40% of the Alaskan population!) and reminisced over a fabulous final dinner. Below are pictures of the group making crèm brûlée for dinner last night and doing a photoshoot with their much-loved van!
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
Did you know? Anchorage’s Lake Hood is the busiest seaplane base in the world with more than 1,000 take offs and landings on summer days!
After a beautiful morning of service planting willow trees to help with bank erosion, AKMCB celebrated their trip with a scrumptious dinner in Anchorage! Jokes, memories, stories, and infinite laughs were shared between this tight-knit crew. What a spectacular couple weeks in the Last Frontier!
Alps Explorer A (AX)
Did you know? Switzerland has four national languages. Can you name them?
Today this crew departed picturesque Zermatt and hopped on a train to another glorious Swiss city! They spent some time at the campground playing on a playground (featuring a particularly exciting slide) and prepping for the days of hiking ahead. They went food shopping, did laundry, and are feeling well rested and ready to explore the surrounding mountains in the days to come!
California’s Coastal Mountains (CCM)
Did you know? San Francisco was renamed “San Francisco” from “Yerba Buena” in 1847.
This crew spent the morning in beautiful Half Moon Bay helping to clean up and preserve the beach, taking in their last day on the breathtaking Pacific Coast. They headed to camp for showers and gear organization before hitting the road for San Francisco for an afternoon of exploration and celebration. A very festive final dinner is in store before they have to say goodbye to the City by the Bay!
Caribbean Service (CS)
Did you know? The Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean
Aaaand back home they go! We are sad to say goodbye to these fun folks, but so excited to hear their tales of island life! We know they return home with visions of sunrise and sunsets, jungle creatures, and sandy beaches… what wonderful connections and friendships they have formed.
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Did you know? Costa Rica is comprised of more national parks than any other country.
What an exciting 12 days in Costa Rica – filled with lush rainforests, majestic coastlines, and rugged mountains. We can’t wait to hear their stories and see more photos! Though this crew may all be flying home to different places, we know they’ve made lasting connections with the places they’ve been and people they’ve met. Pura vida!
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
Did you know? Italy is home to the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites per square kilometer in the world.
Wowza, this crew is cruising! We just can’t believe it’s their second to last day of riding… we can practically see Venice on the horizon! The Italian countryside continues to breeze by as they make their way through the 5th most visited country in the world (Italy!). Eccezionale!
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
Did you know? On average, each Italian eats about 60 pounds of pasta per year!
Ciao! It was a mostly flat ride for our crew today as they left Bolzano behind to cruise for 60 miles in the dreamy Italian countryside. Rolling hills, quaint villages, wildflowers, farmland, oh my! I wonder if they’ll cook some pasta tonight to fuel their next couple days of riding. Venice is soon approaching…
Europe Coast to Coast 3 (ECC3)
Did you know? Bolzano was ranked #1 as the city with the highest quality of life for all Italian cities in 2014.
Our ECC3 crew wore smiles on their faces as they rolled into the spectacular city of Bolzano! The ride was mostly downhill as they left the Alps in their shadow and have Venice on their minds. Oh to be feeling the gentle Italian breeze as you cruise downhill with friends!
Golden State Adventure (GSA)
Did you know? The oldest kayak in existence is 450 years old… and kayaks have existed for 4000 years.
Today GSA ventured into the sea! It was a beautiful day of paddling in the Golden State along pristine beaches and coastal cliffs. The Pacific Coast looked magnificent and mysterious in the fog… we can smell the salty breeze from here. Tonight they will sleep under a sky filled with stars dreaming of the hike they have planned for tomorrow!
Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)
Did you know? One in ten Icelanders will publish a book.
Today IMC traveled to Grunðafjörður – pronounced “Grund-ah-fee-yourd” – a small fishing town with a spectacular view of Mt. Kirkjufell. They took an afternoon hike in the surrounding area, immersed in the spectacular landscape. Just look at that waterfall! We wonder if they are getting any literary inspiration; perhaps they are drafting a book as we speak…?
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Did you know? Maine has 3478 miles of coastline – that’s longer than the coast of California!
On the incredibly winding coast of Maine our writers are sharing stories, engaging in workshops, and finding inspiration. A blank page may be daunting, but these scholars are equipped to tackle their essay-writing task! Today the crew visited Bates College to find some of said inspiration. No better place to be inspired than the picturesque Maine coastline!
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
Did you know? Maine is the only state in the country whose name is one syllable.
Today our adventurers set out on a hike in Acadia (President Obama was the first sitting president to visit Acadia in 2010!), complete with towering pines, ocean views, and lively hiking conversations. They even had time for a quick dip in a pond! No wonder Maine’s state motto is “The way life should be.” It’s also a very special day for these MCJers: we hear they are celebrating Opposite Day with spaghetti for breakfast and pancakes for dinner.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
Did you know? Maine’s annual lobster yield is nearly 100 million pounds.
It’s day two of kayaking as DEX island hops the great Maine coast. There are over 4,000 islands off the coast of Maine! DEX worked with the Maine Island Trail Association today for a service project, and then settled into camp for a delicious dinner before their last day in the great state of Maine.
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
Did you know? Forested areas account for 81% of all New Hampshire land.
Today NEMC took to the water for rafting! They played King of the Raft (pictured here) and went out for celebratory ice cream afterwards. They are heading to a new campground in the Whites tonight – nestled in the majestic pines that make up White Mountain National Forest! Clear skies and warm weather made rafting the perfect adventure for the day.
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
Did you know? There are 60 named glaciers in Olympic National Park AND the Hoh rainforest receives about 12 feet of rainfall each year!
The views were astounding for NWX on their day hike in Olympic National Park today, home to a wide variety of ecosystems and landscapes! Crisp mountain peaks, clear lakes, towering pines… What more could you want? Today was also filled with backcountry prep – food storage, laundry, and organizing packs. There are some spectacular days of hiking ahead!
Pacific Coast (PC)
Did you know? About 100 million bicycles are manufactured worldwide each year, and there are over 1 billion bikes in the world.
Woohoo! What a group of powerful, hill-crushing champions! This PC group just conquered the Seven Devils, an infamous string of challenging climbs. It was a hilly day of riding but these roads were no match for the strength of our PC squad and their trusty bikes. No motors needed for them!
Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)
Did you know? Barcelona was almost home to the Eiffel Tower.
This group watched the Pyrenees beneath them as they flew homeward bound today… what an epic trip under their belts. The magic of the mountains is with them as they return full of stories and new friends… we will miss you PMC!
Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)
Did you know? Montreal has more bike paths than any other North American city.
Celebration is in store! We can hardly believe that it is the last night for VMA. This crew spent the day exploring marvelous Montreal and had a fantastic final dinner to celebrate their huge accomplishment. Congrats team, we send a toast to you!
Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)
Did you know? More than 85% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Quebec.
What a fantastic squad! With many miles traveled, this group has a day of well deserved celebration in Montreal. Hooray! The crew enjoyed the cobblestone streets, ate a delicious final meal, and told stories with new friends today. This trip passed in the blink of an eye!
