Monday morning. Two words which, for the average person, seldom win popularity contests. Things typically associated with Monday mornings include; fog horn alarms that interrupt your REM cycle at 5:30 AM, cold bare feet on kitchen tiles, a horrible steady grey rain, general hatred, etc. etc. etc. Sounds horrible, right? Good thing at Apogee our students are not average people! They are well above average! Monday mornings are welcomed and challenges are tackled head on by our fierce kiddos, no matter where they are in the world. So today, the blog will present two Apogee Monday morning words which are far more fitting and specific for each trip. Because ‘Monday’ and ‘morning’ just don’t quite make the cut.
Editor’s Note: although you’re most likely reading this in the evening when we post it, believe it or not, writing the blog takes nearly the entire day, so this entry really did originate on a Monday morning!
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRMA, CRMB, CS, MCCE, MCP, MFT, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, SH, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
“Hello, Acadia!”
MCJ’ers had an amazing day today! They headed to Acadia National Park and got to explore the area. With a half day hike, after setting up camp, they had their first Maine view. It has begun, the trip is underway!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
“Land Ho!”
Cape Cod and the Island made it to Boston today! They took the ferry into the bustling city from Provincetown. This morning they checked off an adventurous souvenir search for $2 t-shirts in Provincetown! I bet they wish Monday was everyday!
Caribbean Service (CS)
“Dia caluroso”
It was a hot day in the Caribbean for these service adventure’ers! They volunteered at the National Wildlife Refuge. With the sun shining it was another beautiful day in Vieques – they spent the second part of the day hiking and swimming in the reserve lands!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
“Writing, writing, writing”
Maine Coast College Essay gets three words, because… well… their entire trip is about words! They had an action packed day filled with writing, critiquing, and critical thinking. We all wish we got to read the essays they are working on but I guess for now these lovely pictures will have to do!
Maine Coast Photo (MCP)
“Sick picture!”
These photographers met in Freeport, Maine this afternoon to get their trip underway. They hopped in the van and headed to Boothbay Harbor, Maine which they will be calling home for the next week! As their trip gets underway we (here at the blog desk) cannot wait to see what there no doubt IMPRESSIVE blog pics will look like once they pull out their fancy cameras – until then, these cell phone photos will have to suffice!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
“Mountain goats!”
These backcountry DEXA kiddos transformed into mountain goats today as they continued hiking along the Appalachian Trail. It was an action packed day, with Katahdin is on the horizon, all tails are wagging! Backcountry living means no photos for us – alas, we’ll have to wait for tomorrow!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
“Switch UP”
Today was a bit of a ‘switch up’ Monday for DEXB as they untied their hiking boots and started getting prepped for kayaking! To make the transit day extra fun the gang is having an epic Iron Chef competition!
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
“Water…. Slides?!”
Vermont to Montreal A had a wonderful day. After an easy 16 miles, they got to their campsite which featured water slides, ice cream, and all sorts of new activities! It was a wonderful day, my guess is that they probably aren’t even aware that Monday’s exist anymore.
Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
“BIKING YEEHAW!”
50 miles were crushed by VMB today as they rode 25 miles in the US, then 25 more in Canada! This amazing crew of humans were quick to get to camp and were able to relax and enjoy the rest of their (now Canadian) Monday.
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
“Hola! Amigos!”
This crew got to meet each other today as their trip began in Costa Rica! They met at the airport and then traveled to their new abode where they played games and got to know one another. It was a new and exciting Monday for all of these peeps! Can’t wait for the daily pictures to come!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
“Service (in) Paradise”
Today the students of CRMC collected seeds from endangered trees and then planted them in neighboring farms, in an effort to reforest farms that were once part of the livestock industry. They did 5 hours of service and then took the afternoon to enjoy the area with swimming and hiking. No cell service today – but it was probably gorgeous!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
“Civilization! Yay!”
This group of outdoors men and women came out of the back country today and we have the pictures to prove it! They adventured, explored, and adventured some more.
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
“Yay! Civilization!”
Dipping their toes in backcountry living, this group has explored the beautiful Snow Mountain Wilderness over the last few days – excited for surfing and fun to come!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
“Woohoo! Hello!”
These lovely people all got acquainted at the airport this morning and then headed out to start their Apogee journey! Many snacks were had and games were played as they enjoyed their first day with one another and finally started their adventure!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
“Hello! It’s me….” (in the tone of Adele’s hit single: “Hello”)
The students of NWXB were also eager to get on their way this morning, as their trip got off to a rocking start! They met at the airport, grouped up, and left for their first night of amazing camping!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
“Ah, biking!”
Fun, you say? Look no farther than PCA! This crew met one another and headed out to their first campsite of the trip. We cannot wait to hear what the rest of their trip will hold! Good luck, PCA’ers!
Pacific Coast (PCB)
“Apogee, BEGIN!”
It was also the start to Pacific Coast B today. The kids were excited to meet one another and had a wonderful first evening of camping – I believe a campfire was included! Tune in to the blog tomorrow to see what they did on their first day of riding!
Editor’s Note: As we hit “publish” the PC groups are still gathering so we don’t have a photo today, but we can’t wait to lay our eyes on these adventurers tomorrow!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
“Bonjour, Swimming!”
The group of Pyrenees Mountains and Coast students had a 13 kilometer day hiking from Sare to Herboure, France! When they got to camp they enjoyed the luxurious accommodation of a swimming pool at their campground – a well deserved treat! Fabulous day for PMC!
Scottish Highlands (SH)
“Kayak, yo!”
Today held a change of pace for the Scottish Highland crew, as they took to the sea in kayaks! After kayaking they participated in a community service project to help clean up beaches in the surrounding area. Great Scot, what an amazing Monday!
Alps Explorer (AXA)
“Bye! Hi!”
These kids said goodbye to their families and said hello to the Alps today! They arrived ready for adventure, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Tomorrow they start their travels and we cannot wait to see the first rural photos!
Alps Explorer (AXB)
“GOOOMORNING! SWITZERLAND”
All these AXB kiddos arrived in Switzerland this morning – what fun! They grouped up at the airport and then headed on their way to their first camping location. They are packed up and ready to explore on their first full day tomorrow! Goodluck AXB’ers!
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
Two very. very. important words — “REST DAY!”
Finally! It is here! ECC got their much deserved rest after many days of beautiful, yet challenging, riding. They spent the day playing in natural water parks and recharging all of their strong biking muscles. The day was sooo fun and restful that we couldn’t pull them away from the fun for a photo. Alas!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
“Hot Tamale!”
ACC1 had another spicy but wonderful day of riding as they got 75 miles closer to San Diego today! They rode from Tatum to Rosewell, smiling all the while. With their panniers packed tight it was another successful day for ACC1!
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
“107 miles!”
Century ride! Today ACC2 rode a whopping 107 miles from Jayton to Brownfield, TX. They did it with great speed and didn’t let the hot sun slow them down. What an amazing crew of humans doing an amazing thing!
