By: Annika Nygren
Day 18: Welcome new blog friends and hello old friends, another fabulous day in the Apogee world of trips today! All but three of our trips (we still miss you DEX AND CQs) are in full swing and the sun is shining all over the globe – well, mostly… Sounds like a perfect not-so-lazy Sunday to me!
Cape Cod and the Islands (CI): Emily and Will cooked their award winning* “chicken pot pie” for dinner last night to fuel up for community service on the farm over on Martha’s Vineyard today! * No really – it is – they won the “Iron Chef Competition” during Leader Training with this dish….
Mmmmmmmmmmm!
Hard at work!
New England Mountains and Coast (NEMC): Matt and Midge’s crew explored beautiful North Conway last night and woke up early this morning for their first all-day hike… Consider Mount Jackson: conquered.
Mt. Jackson here we come!
They made it!
Vermont to Montreal (VM): First day on the bikes and Abby and Reuben report that this crowd is “absolutely crushing it.” 
Matching ‘kicks’ pic!!
California Mountains and Coast (CMC): First full day and these guys are already on the water paddling in their sea kayaks for the start of their next two days on gorgeous Tomales Bay. Cell service is very spotty – we’re hoping we can get a picture from them for tomorrow’s blog.
Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA): Service work and beaching! Let the tropical jealously commence. Here’s a shot of Will and Lucy’s group on their first full day together cleaning up trash on the beach in Arecibo and then swimming in the ocean on the newly cleaned beach!
Posing with some of the “fruits” of their labors.
Montana Service Adventure (MSA): I just got off the phone with Hannah and oh my goodness these guys are in for a treat! RAFTING!! Hannah and Opie also report that the group is having such a blast sad to see their last day in West Glacier fly by. 
Northwest Explorer (NWX): It’s the second day of kayaking for Izzy and John’s group out in Puget Sounds San Juan Islands! They’ve had perfect weather for paddling – see below. Can’t believe we only have two more days left with these happy folks… 
Pacific Coast (PCA): San Francisco tomorrow! The Golden Gate! Indoor accommodations! All tomorrow! In the meantime, though, it was just another gorgeous ride today along that singular California coast…
Road selfie by Leader Matt (don’t try this at home)!
Tent Circle of Love
Pacific Coast (PCB): Trevor and Kate’s group are crushing miles today to bring them closer to San Francisco! Today’s ride was full of beautiful scenery and lightly rolling hills… ahhh!
Alps Explorer (AX): One more day until Geneva! One more day on the mighty Tour de Mont Blanc! Once these guys stride into the city tomorrow, they will have only one more full day to explore and then it will be time for goodbyes… where did the time go?! Today’s approach into Champex ascends gently through some sun-dappled forest (although because it rained most of the day, “sun-dappled” may be a bit of a stretch…) The rain did clear, though, and the gang enjoyed a picnic outdoors for dinner. We are looking forward to pictures tomorrow when there is more service.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECCA): A beautiful day of riding into the beautiful town of Nancy, France for Mia and Jeremy’s beautiful crew! Though we were hoping for wifi, and therefore pictures, today – it was not to be. All was reported to be well though – tomorrow, the group will get to take on some of their first real hills of the trip as they push into the Vosges Mountains in northeastern France.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECCB): Christine and Nick’s group rode into the lovely and lively chateau town of Bar-le-Duc this afternoon so unfortunately we do not have a shot of today’s ride, but here are a couple from yesterday! Bar le Duc where they are currently stationed is beautiful!
Two alums fix a flat – tres bon, fellas!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1): Hello, Whitesboro Texas! 80-plus miles today.. onto Jacksboro tomorrow!
America Coast to Coast (ACC2): Helloo, Texarkana (If it were the other way around, it might be “Arkaxas….”)! They’re looking across the border into Texas! Here is a shot of Sam and Ally’s group leaving the wonderful, spectacular and above-and-beyond hospitality of the Walls. Keith rode 40 miles with the group today- you go guys! Also – we should note that it was today, July 13, when these road warriors ticked right over the 1000-mile mark – only 1700 fun-filled miles to go!
Leaving their handprints on the Wall’s kitchen tablecloth–a right of passage for all ACCers!
Okey-dokey – well, that wraps up another spectacular day in the trip world! As of tomorrow, there is only one more month left of Apogee Adventures for me to document and boy-oh-boy time is flying! Keep on making me proud leaders, I miss you!