Another glorious day in the Aposphere – the sun is shining, the tank is clean… the tank is clean?! Anyways, it was indeed another glorious day! We had a number of new trips start and embark on their adventures. We love trip start days because it reminds us here in the office of how much we care about each trip, each kiddo, and each adventure. We are so excited to have more groups out there getting to know each other today and gearing up for all the fun to come. In the words of the crew from Up, “Adventure is out there!”
(You know that Assistant Director Izzy wrote the intro when there are not one, but two animated movie references in it…)
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRMA, CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
Wow, what a beautiful first day! Maine Coast Junior made it all the way to their campsite, and it is a beautiful one, for the night after an exciting first day of travel, name games, and snacks galore! With a first evening underway, this group is beyond excited for the adventures to come.
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
‘Twas another gorgeous day today as Taylor & Amelia’s crew enjoyed a morning ride, follow by their first of four ferries for the trip. They enjoyed the refreshing sea breeze as they traveled from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard, where they’ll spend the next two nights together.
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
After escaping the boundaries of Boston, NEMC A is free to settle down and get to know each other. After an easy van ride they have made it to their campsite for the night. Already with oodles to look forward to, this group is stoked for their first dinner of noodles, and rulin’ get to know you games.
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
Today NEMC B beep bopped their way from Boston far away from the bustle. Now under the big blue skies of NH they are bonding over bowls of a delectable first dinner. Brought together by their boundless excitement for adventure, we know for sure this group is in for a an amazing trip!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A (CRMA)
Big news: Teddy & Rachel’s gang surpassed the 10,000 foot mark today on their first big hike of the trip! They trekked their way up to Emerald Lake (10,110’), and after seeing the pictures, all of us here in the office are thoroughly jealous.
Caribbean Service (CS)
Caribbean Service got their hands dirty this morning working in the Tanama Valley in central Puerto Rico. Joe & Nicole’s group helped repair the Tanama Valley’s trails after this fall’s devastating hurricane season. More work to be had tomorrow, but this afternoon it was off to a local staple with excellent views — “La Cueva Ventana” (the ‘Window Cave’).
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Intellect. Fun. Style. Three words that come to mind when reflecting on this group’s first day. Already brewin’ and stewin’ creative ideas, the vibes are flowin’. Soon the words will be too (on paper)! Appropriately punctuating their first day with a dynamo dinner in their idyllic home for the trip, they are settled.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
Today DEXA took to the Camden Hills. They knocked out their first hike together, soaked in some Maine-tastic views, and headed to the Stonington area where they’ll be embarking on their sea-kayaking portion tomorrow. Looks like a great first full day is in the books!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
DEXB laced up their boots this morning and hit the trails of Camden Hills State Park on their first hike as a group. Afterwards, they had a scenic lunch, a pro rock-skipping session, and then headed towards Acadia National Park, where they’ll be exploring together over the next few days.
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA) & Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
Trip starts galore! Both Vermont to Montreal trips gathered near Manchester, NH today (prompting some to ponder if the trip should be called New Hampshire to Montreal…), before being shuttled to their respective campgrounds in central Vermont. Who’s ready to ride tomorrow?
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
Mark & Eliza’s crew started to live up to the namesake of their trip today — language classes in the morning? Check. Service at the local children’s home in the afternoon? Check! Additionally, Saturday is market day in Turrialba — the squad took full advantage of it with some excellent exploration!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Swimming, starfish, stargazing, oh my! What an eventful day for Olivia & Henry’s squad. Last night, they were able to get out on the water for a brief night paddle to experience some of Tomales Bay’s famous bioluminescence. They (regretfully, I’m sure) packed up their tents from their beach campsite and paddled back to base this afternoon.
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
After a stellar hike along Bull Point trail in Point Reyes National Seashore, the CMCB crew procured some paddles to proceed down the pretty Point (Reyes). All in all, they logged about 5 miles of paddling, and tonight, they’ll camp along the beach – plus, if the conditions are right, maybe a bioluminescent paddle…
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
This team took on their first hike in Olympic National Park today. We heard they checked out waterfalls, trees, and moss and that the day was filled with,“lots of beauty and fun!” Sounds like a winning first day in the Park. This group will get to experience the numerous ecosystems of ONP throughout the next few days, from the high peaks to old-growth forests, they’ll see it all!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
The Northwest Explorer B team headed towards the North Cascades today. The Cascades have been referred to as the “American Alps” and are home to an enormous amount of biodiversity and fabulous views. The group settled into their camp, their home, for the next three nights and took on their first hike near Diablo lake where they said there were “super cool” trees – they gave the day “thumbs up all around!”
Pacific Coast (PCA)
For the second night in a row (and many more to come), PCA will enjoy oceanfront views for their campsite tonight. For their first day of riding today, they cruised through all 30+ miles and are feeling easy, breezy, beautiful!
Pacific Coast (PCB)
25 miles: check! Jack & Grace’s PCB team sailed smoothly into camp this afternoon, arriving into their campground before 4 PM PT today. Word from the group is that they conquered a 1.5 mile hill and enjoyed beautiful ocean views and sand dunes galore. I’d call that a successful first day of riding.
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Arrival days are the best days — especially when you get to enjoy a view of the Spanish Pyrenees during dinner! Our inaugural Pyrenees trip is now officially underway and spirits are high as they get ready to begin their loop around the “Carros de Foc” tomorrow.
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Based on the pictures below, I’d say that it was a good start for our Swiss friends. For their first hike, they trekked to the quintessential alpine town of Riffelalp, which provided some simply stunning views of Toblerone – I mean Mt. Matterhorn (but nice photo skills, team)! In other news, Matterhon is unbelievable.
Alps Explorer (AXB)
Wowza! What a start for AXB. The gang cruised up to the quaint hamlet of Riffelalp, where they ate a delicious lunch and snacked on views of the Matterhorn throughout the day. Is this what every day is going to look like, you ask? We’ll have to wait and see.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
From far reaches of the globe, this group is now gathered and enjoying their first night together. Enjoying the luxuries of Europe already, they were able to cool off in a lovely stream at their campground. After a day of travel and the ripe possibility of adventure ahead this group can’t wait to put tires to pavement and take this adventure wheels on!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
In what will prove to be one of a great many impressive feats for ACC1 this summer, they gobbled up nearly 50 miles before noon today. (Side note: I biked 30 miles last weekend and I’m still sore.) With 65 more tomorrow, it sounds like they’re ready to take on the mileage increase that’s coming soon…
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
Folks, here we present to you Americas Coast to Coast Dos. bum , bum, bum: Ta-Da! They are indeed the heroes we imagined they would be! Wow! After gathering and gearing up they dipped their back tires in the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This group is smilin’ and they are already milin’ as they begin their epic adventure across the grand ol’ United States of America!
