It’s Day 16 of the Apogee summer, and our MVPs are knocking their trips out of the park. It seems that in preparation for the MLB All-Star Game tomorrow, our teams have brought their A-game today – rain or shine, rest or ride! Here’s today’s scouting report:
Skip to a Specific Trip: AXA, AXB, CI, CRM, CRMC, CS, ECC1, ECC2, ECC3, IMC, MCCE, MCJ, MCP, NEMC, NWX, PC
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
As even the best professional athletes need rest days, so do our fearless AXAers! They took it easy today at their campground outside Courmayeur, making some phone calls home and munching on some heart-shaped bread (how cute is that?). While they weren’t doing any ice baths like MLB players, they made their own spa set up – cucumbers and all!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
Talk about an all-star-caliber break – AXB made the most of their last day in Courmayeur by climbing a mountain a different way than usual: by cable car! This team took a cable car up Pointe Helbronner today to get some stellar views of Mont Blanc before heading to bed early to rest up before taking the field on the TMB tomorrow.
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
It’s full steam ahead for our Cape League team! Our CI crew made their way to Martha’s Vineyard today, taking an awesome ride on the ferry with their bikes to get there. Today was only their first day of riding, and they crushed 13 miles! Do I hear rumors of Rookies of the Year?
Caribbean Service (CS)
Even the greatest all-stars must retire eventually, just like our delightful CS trip. With their memories made and their goodbyes said, this crew took to the sky this morning to return to their hometown teams.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
Watch out, Colorado Rockies, there’s a new team in town! On their first full day together, CRM acquainted themselves with their new home: Rocky Mountain National Park. They had a great day hike on the west side of the park today, with Estes Park on deck for tomorrow!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
It’s time to tip our caps to CRMC and bid them farewell! After a fantastic trip, our CRMCers packed up this morning and made their way back to their families, with stories and surfing skills to boot. Until next time, CRMC – enjoy your homestand!
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
Today our gold (bike) glove ECC1 team got treated to a luxury like no other: the true rest day. After days on the bikes and a full day of exploring Paris yesterday, today they got to kick back, relax, and rest up for their next stretch of riding. After spending the day tuning up bikes, making calls to the bullpen (home), doing laundry, and stocking up on groceries, they headed to bed early to get plenty of rest before getting back on the road tomorrow. We didn’t get their pics before heads hit pillows, so we’re excited to see double content tomorrow!
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
Paris may not be playing host to the MLB’s finest this week, but they certainly saw an all-star break today! Our ECC2 dream team left their bikes behind today as they took to the city on foot for a day of relaxation and exploration. Their Paris trip covered all the bases: Notre Dame, crepes, the Eiffel Tower, and baguette sandwiches!
Europe Coast to Coast 3 (ECC3)
Our intrepid ECC3 crew completed their home stretch of riding today before their rest day tomorrow! They spent the day pedaling their way through 100 kilometers of French countryside. After crushing their ride, this team set their sights on their next goal: an awesome day in Paris tomorrow.
Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)
Our IMC crew swung for the fences today, packing in kayaking and exploring during their day in Grunðafjörður (“Grund-ah-fee-yourd,” for those of you who, like me, had no idea how to read that!). Their kayaking adventures took them around Mount Kirkjufell and left them sure that the rest of their trip is going to be a home run. (Please excuse the cracks in one of the photos – one our leader’s cell phone camera had a bit of a “rough inning” but we wanted to share the photo of the group exploring!)
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Today our newest MCCE team settled into their home dugout in Newcastle as they primed themselves for a week of writing like pros. They met their writing instructor, Leah, this morning and did some batting practice with essay ideas. In the afternoon, the crew took their talents to the water for a kayaking session off of beautiful Orr’s Island.
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
What a full first day for our MCJ crew! The newly formed team got up early this morning to hit the water first thing with a kayaking adventure in Casco Bay. After their time paddling, they loaded into the van to make their way up the coast to Acadia National Park, where they’ll tackle their first day hike tomorrow. I guess you could say they really hit today out of (or up to) the park!
Maine Coast Photo (MCP)
Our star-studded MCP crew had a championship-worthy day today! After spending the morning doing some editing with their photo instructor, Brian, they took their skills to the trails with an afternoon hike on Morse Mountain. They ended their hike with some well-earned beach time before heading back to the yurts for dinner.
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
L.L.Bean has been keeping our Sox dry since 1912… And our NEMC crew dry for today! This team did a shorter day hike through the clouds in the White Mountains and then, afterwards, they got the chance to conquer a scavenger hunt in L.L.Bean! It was a rainy day in the Whites but it couldn’t dampen this crew’s spirits! Fingers crossed for blue skies ahead, NEMC!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
Our NWX team should plan to hike their way to Seattle and play in the All-Star Game tomorrow, the way they’re cruising through their backcountry section! It’s day four of this backcountry stint for these adventurers, and they crushed a three and a half mile hike today in preparation for their 10-miler tomorrow. We can’t wait to see photos when they’re back in service!
Pacific Coast (PC)
Who’s that zipping down the coast toward Oracle Park? It’s PC! This unstoppable team kept their wheels spinning through all 47 miles of their ride along the Eel River today. They kept spirits up with rousing sing alongs all day! Tomorrow, they’ll conquer the Leggett hill before being rewarded with a rest day on Wednesday.
