By: Izzy Janzen
The introduction below is to be sung to the melody of “22” by Taylor Swift! We chose this song intentionally – inspired by having a whopping 22 trips out in the field today and also because this song is about birthdays, and today we have quite a special birthday in the Apogee world. Today we wish a big Happy Birthday to Kevin Cashman, Apogee’s founder & co-director. Happy Birthday, Kev – we are so thankful to know you and for everything you do for us, to the heart and soul that you have put into Apogee, and everything that makes it magical!
It feels like a perfect day to dress up like hikers, and make friends with our trippers, uh uh uh uh
It feels like a perfect day, to take on adventures, and fall in love with nature, uh uh uh uh
Oh Yeah
We’re happy, dirty, funny, and silly at the same time, it’s challenging but magical, oh yeah
Today’s the day when we forget about our cell phones, it’s time, uh yeah
I don’t know about you, but we’ve got 22 (trips in the field!) Everything will be alright, if we keep together as a crew
We don’t know each other yet, but we know we want to – Everything will be alright, with all of our 22 (trips in the field!)
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC, CSA, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VM, CRLS, CMCA, CMCB, CQA, CQB, MSA, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SHX, AXA, AXB, ACC1, ACC2
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Today our Capers were up bright and early to hit the waves. They took a morning off the bikes for a professional surf lesson, and then spent the rest of their day riding around and exploring the surrounding area. Tomorrow they’ll continue on up the Cape!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
NEMC took on a day hike in the glorious White Mountains – they navigated up Mount Pierce, a glorious 4,310 ft peak in the Presidential Range. They’re conquering the Whites together, one adventure at a time! Unfortunate the service was just spotty enough that they weren’t able to get a photo through… we’ll have to eagerly await tomorrow.
Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA)
Our Caribbean crew had an exciting day – they did a tour of a local Vieques museum along with a history lesson and some continued project time with Reach For Success. AND – they’ll be on Radio Vieques tomorrow morning discussing their experiences on the island and sharing some of what they’ve learned! You can stream them online tomorrow morning between 7:00-7:15 AM local time (90.1). Go, CSA!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Today MCCE continued crushing their essays – spending the morning in an intensive writing session. In the afternoon, they took a break from the books and volunteered with a local organization: Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
Our Adventurous A group explored Acadia today with a hike of the Beehive and Mount Gorham, a Goodwill fashion show, a dip at Seal Harbor, and some time exploring Bar Harbor. They had quite a day! How did they fit all of that in?
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
Unfortunately it’s a photoless day for our DEXers but, picture this – they’re hiking northward on the Appalachian Trail, getting epic glimpses of Mount Katahdin as they do, and learning to live off-the-grid as a group!
Vermont to Montréal (VM)
Today VM cruised through a monumental moment on their journey together: they crossed the border into Canada! This a major accomplishment and milestone, and is one step closer to their final destination of Montreal!
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
The Costa Rica Language & Service team took a break from their Spanish classes and spent the day rafting down the Pacuare River. This is an excellent chance for this group to explore and appreciate the beauty and wildness of their surrounding area. Wahoo!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Today was a transit day for CMCAlpha – they rested, resupplied, and sang their hearts out to their favorite van tunes – and got ready to head into the back country of Yosemite tomorrow! We also have some awesome photos of their explorations yesterday – 
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
Today is CMCBesties third and final night in the back country of Yosemite – they’ll come out tomorrow morning – hopefully with stories and photos galore! We can’t wait…
Coast to Québec (CQA)
CQA rested on the rapids today – off the bikes and on the river! They took on some of the best rafting around on the Kennebec River, with professional guides, and will continue on with their cycling tomorrow. Last minute update: in proper Maine fashion, the gang spotted a moose on the way back to camp today!
Coast to Québec (CQB)
CQB made great time into camp in Greenville today – they’ll overlap with their sister group for the evening, maybe play some games together – and are excited to do some rafting tomorrow and enjoy a well-deserved day off!
Montana Service Adventure (MSA)
The MSA group continues on with their project in Glacier National Park today working with the rangers to make improvements in the park. They are enjoying getting their hands dirty, soaking in their surroundings and giving back to this great community before embarking out on the bikes once more! They even made time for a quick exploration to St. Mary’s Falls.
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
With Northwest Explorer Amazing out of the back country – they’ve supplied us with some fun and fabulous photos from their journeys. Over the next few days, they’ll be resting, resupplying, and exploring the area of Bellingham, and getting ready for their next (and final!) segment – sea kayaking! Word on the street is they had pizza AND ice cream today.
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
Today NWXB enjoyed their first full day in the back country of the Olympic Peninsula – while we won’t get any photos, we hope they’ll see snowy peaks, wild flowers, maybe some friendly mountain goats, and more!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
PCA gets a hard-earned rest day today. Rest-day, Best-day, as they say! They spent the day exploring and playing around in the Mendocino area, and have some fantastic socks to show for it.
Pacific Coast (PCB)
Pacific Coast Bravo rode into Mendocino today – it was a monster of a day. It was the biggest climbing day on the whole trip, and not only did they conquer the single biggest hill of the trip (Leggett Mountain!), but it’s also the biggest hill of the entire official Pacific Coast bike route. Wowza- go get em!
Scottish Highland Explorer (SHX)
Today these tough trekkers walked 11 miles to the charming village of Fort Augustus – it was a reasonably flat day for them, thank goodness – and still a beauty. Step by step they make their way closer to Inverness! Unfortunately they had inconsistent wi-fi this evening and weren’t able to get those photos across the globe to us… we’ll hope to get them all tomorrow.
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Our Alps-ers enjoyed a day off in Courmayeur – they gave their wee leggies a rest and filled their tummies instead. Apparently they had french toast for breakfast, a gelato treat after lunch, and almost 5 lbs of fresh pasta for dinner! Yum…and also WOW.
Alps Explorer (AXB)
AXB hiked up to Grand Col Ferret, which is both the apogee of the Tour de Mont Blanc as well as the Italian-Swiss border. They’re back in Switzerland and only have two more days of the TMB!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
ACC-Onederful arrived in Palm Desert today. After 68 miles of riding, they arrived. The salty waters are getting so close they can probably smell them. They only have two days of riding left, not to mention Apogee co-director, the one the only Chad Olcott, will join the group tomorrow to cheer them on and ride with them!
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
ACC-Double-the-Fun arrived at their air-conditioned accommodations before Noon today, but unfortunately were too busy napping to get any blog pictures in for press time… Can we really blame them? It’s the final push for this team – you’ve got this, team- desert day tomorrow!