Day 10: Apo Songs of the Summer!

Office Song: Rivers & Roads

Hello from Brunswick! We love watching our trips gallivant across 10 time zones!! We miss them all dearly when we see them hiking beside rivers and biking on mountain roads. They have many more roads to bike and rivers to cross until we see them again in Brunswick, making the office’s song of the summer so far “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart. 

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Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMCAXA, AXB, CI, CRM, CRMC, CSPR, CSVI, DEXECC1, ECC2, GSA, IMC, MCCENEMCNWXPC, PMC, VM

Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)

Song: “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers

After moving (slowly) through westward waters yesterday via kayak, our adventurers spent the night at a stunning seaside campsite that took their breath away! Having been in Alaska for more than a week, AKMC understands why Maggie Rogers wrote a song about it, which is why their trip anthem choice is “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers! This morning they paddled out of camp and hit the town for a resupply.

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

Song: “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan

The AXA crew sure is more than all the miles combined, and boy oh boy, have they hiked a lot of miles! They’ve completed at least 21 miles on the TMB so far! Looking at the daunting Chamonix-Mont-Blanc landscape (literally “White Mountain” in English), trees aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. That hasn’t stopped AXA from singing “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan on repeat.

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

Song: Ratatouille Soundtrack 

AXB is cooking up some good vibes, and what better soundtrack to cook to than the Ratatouille Soundtrack! While hiking through Col du Bonhomme and the Vallee des Glaciers, this crew didn’t need a tiny chef maneuvering their steps forward; their excitement kept the group moving while they talked about what dinner they were going to have that night. Unfortunately this group doesn’t have cell service for the night, so we’ll be patiently awaiting some awesome pics tomorrow!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Song: “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker

After enjoying cake for their last in-camp dessert last night, the Cape Cod and the Islands crew had a blast taking the ferry into Boston today! They’re headin’ down south to the land of duck boats but not runnin’ from the cold of New England (it’s not cold up here…Boston is also in New England). Throughout their last in-camp meal, the crossing, and wandering around Boston, they’re jamming out to “Wagon Wheel.”

Caribbean Service Puerto Rico (CSPR)

Song: Papaoutai by Stromae

The CSPRers were psyched today for some awesome weather in the Tanama River Valley during their service morning! “Papaoutai,” a French pop song, was the anthem of the morning. When translated to English, the line, “working is good,” shows that you can sing about service opportunities! The catchy tune of this song added to the high spirits and excitement of the group! After a nice lunch, the crew is headed to Cabo Rojo, where they will rest for the night.

 

Caribbean Service Virgin Islands (CSVI)

Song: Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men

Our Caribbean Service Virgin Islands team had a ball doing service this morning with the animal shelter! The song “Who Let the Dogs Out” encapsulates the experience, and it wasn’t complete without loads of snacks for fuel! In the afternoon, the group headed to the botanical gardens. The day wasn’t complete without a delicious dinner and a bunch of fun games!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Song: “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains trip has climbed mountains and seen silver clouds. They saw some clear blue mountain lakes and walked through forests and streams. They had a blast last night in their mountain campsite, and the CRM crew is saying goodbye to their Rocky Mountain High while descending from 7,500’ to 5,325’. After doing some service picking up trash in Rocky Mountain National Park, they had some downtime to wander around lovely Boulder before heading off to their final group dinner.

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Song: “Too Sweet” by Hozier

CRMC is enjoying their fabulous time at the Eco Lodge. After breakfast, they teamed up with Mauricio for a rewarding day of service, planting seedlings and assembling garden beds. “Too Sweet,” by Hozier has been their song of the trip. A yummy lunch fueled their afternoon of fun, and the group enjoyed playing many games! We can’t wait to see what they are up to tomorrow!

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

Song: “Paris” by the Chainsmokers

ECC1 traversed the rolling hills and admired the beautiful French town of Laon today. The crew had a blast, especially when they spotted the giant blow-up giraffe and had to snap a picture! Although we haven’t heard from them what their song of the trip is, we decided that “Paris” by the Chainsmokers was a great song to get the group geared up for their next couple of days as they head into the city! As they fall asleep tonight they’ll be dreaming of croissants and baguettes, a classic French breakfast.

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

Song: “La Vie en Rose” by Édith Piaf

As our ECC2 group made their way into France today, we found it fitting to choose La Vie en Rose as their song of the trip! The morning consisted of scenic canals (and a veeeery fun speed-walking contest)! In the afternoon the group crushed the cobblestone streets and hit the grocery store to get ingredients for a yummy dinner and dessert. After some fun games, the crew is catching some Zzz’s, and we are psyched to see what fun adventures await them tomorrow!

Golden State Adventure (GSA)

Song: “Cheerleader” by Omi 

Oh, I think we have found ourselves some cheerleaders! It’s GSA! Their high spirits and pep can’t be topped, which is why they’ve chosen the song “Cheerleader” by Omi as their trip anthem. The GSA crew rose bright and early on another beautiful sunny California day, pumped and ready for their day hike on the Big Sur River Gorge Trail. Unfazed by the heat, our hikers stayed hydrated like pros. 

Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)

Song: “Unwritten” by Natasha Beddingfield

The adventures of the IMCers began with a drive to Skaftafell Park, where the group hiked to a stunning glacier. The picturesque views of the iconic spot were incredible. After a scrumptious lunch, the group headed back to camp, preparing for an awesome challenge hike tomorrow. The lyrics in “Unwritten” by Natasha Beddingfield say “Feel the rain on your skin,” which certainly captures the group’s weather thus far. We can’t wait to hear about their next adventures!

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

Song: Olympics Theme Song

Day two of the Maine Coast Olympics has begun! Our writers spent the morning sprinting down the home stretch of essay writing, refusing to let up before the finish line! After lunch, they competed in Spikeball and trivia finals, followed by a podium and awards ceremony. Tonight they venture to Portland for a dinner our on the town to celebrate their many accomplishments this week! The Olympics Theme Song seemed a fitting anthem for these hard-working writers as they end their trip.

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)

Song: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

After a day of much-needed rest in Baxter State Park yesterday, the DEXers set out this morning to attempt the 5,270-foot monstrous Mount Katahdin. Guided by Miley Cyrus, the group kept their heads held high but unfortunately had to turn around (while maintaining a very positive attitude). Like Miley Cyrus says, “There’s always gonna be another mountain” and surely these adventurers will embrace the challenge with optimism and excitement!

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

Song: “The Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex

The spirited NEMC group visited us at the office in Brunswick yesterday, and treated us to a lovely Cotton Eye Joe dance! Thus, their song of the trip is Cotton Eye Joe. Today they’re out on the water kayaking, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the paddle adventure. As their trip winds down tomorrow, we think of the lyrics, “Where did you come from, where did you go?” which reminds us that these experiences are once-in-a-lifetime, and they will carry these memories and friendships far beyond their Apogee trip!

 

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

Song: “Alone in the Mountains” by Goth Babe

The lovely Northwest Explorer crew is on day two of their Backcountry backpacking section! Hiking up in the lovely North Cascades, they are finding themselves alone in the mountains. They are sure to be dreaming of the life they’re now finding themselves in. While they don’t have cell reception out there for any photos, we are pretty sure their song would be “Alone in the Mountains” by Goth Babe.

Pacific Coast (PC)

Song: “Country Roads” by John Denver 

Our PC cyclists are younger than the mountains but growing everyday (like the breeze) as they pedal their way south! Seriously, these cyclists are honing their skills with every ride, navigating these country roads all day long until they settle into their trip home at camp each night. These road warriors fittingly chose John Denver’s “Country Roads” as their trip anthem. No strangers to blue water, our crew will spend the evening resting up for their day surfing tomorrow!

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

Song: “Mountain Song” by Monsters and Men

Hold your horses now! After their day hike around Estany de la Colomina (complete with a mid-summer snowball fight!), our PMC crew spent a cozy afternoon at the Refugio. From the safety and comfort of their beautiful accommodations, they watched the thunderstorms, played cards, did trivia, and had a dance party. Not a bad way to round out another day in the Pyrenees! These adventurers are living the mountain life, which is why they chose “Mountain Song” by Of Monsters and Men as their trip anthem.

Vermont to Montreal (VM)

Song: “O Canada” by Robert Stanley Weir

Today marks a thrilling milestone for our Vermont to Montreal crew as they cross the border into Canada, greeted by scenic landscapes pedaling into camp! This group embodied the lyrics, “from far and wide” while having a blast on bikes. Their day wasn’t complete without some necessary snacks and a yummy dinner. This group is tucked into camp, dreaming of maple syrup, and prepared for another awesome ride tomorrow!