Good afternoon, folks, and welcome back to your Apogee news channel! Thank you for tuning in on this fine Wednesday evening and – oh boy – do we have a special blog for you today! I’m Ron “Woosh” Blogwriter and I’m joined today by my colleague and partner-in-crime, Sunny “Quaker” McDesktyper. Day 42 is wrapping up and that means we are only another handful of days away from the end of the summer! Time really does fly by when you’re having fun…Today, we have stories and pictures that span all the way from the Pacific Northwest, to the sandy beaches of the Caribbean, and to the cloud-covered peaks of the Alps!
So with that being said, we hope you enjoy! Let’s begin. Now, woosh, over to you, Sunny…
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJA, MCJB, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRMA, CRMB, CS, MCCE, MCP, DEX, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMC, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SH, AX, PMC, ACC
Maine Coast Junior (MCJA)
Thanks for the introduction, Ron! It’s Sunny here (but it isn’t super sunny here in Maine), and what better way to kick off tonight’s broadcast than with news from MCJA. Today the group traded in their boots for wheels and biked along the iconic Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park! After taking in the beauty of the park the group headed to Bar Harbor (or Bah Hahbah, as the locals say) and explored the town. We hear lobster ice cream is a novelty in this neck of the woods…do you think any of them were brave enough to try it?
Squad goals…
Maine Coast Junior (MCJB)
We’ve got a double segment on MCJ, since we also have news from MCJB! This crew spent the day hiking in Acadia National Park and boy does it look beautiful! After summiting South Bubble peak, the group tried their darnedest to push the infamous Bubble Rock off the top. A valiant, yet unsuccessful effort… After the hike, the crew got their creative juices flowing and tie-dye. We hope they sport their works of art in the next few days!
That’s a nice boulder!
What a good looking bunch! Now, back to you, Ron!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
After finally sailing to the tea-filled harbors of Boston yesterday, this Cape Cod and the Islands crew hung up their noble steeds (read: bikes) and has taken up a simpler form of transportation – walking – as they were able to take to the streets and explore the historic city of Boston today! After a day filled with fun surprises such as Fanuel Hall and much more, this group is doing as much as they can to make the most of their last day together. What a great trip it has been. They look forward to a big final dinner tonight in the city – so yummy! After that comes packing up, preparing for the morning, and collecting contact information. Try to get some sleep tonight!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
Rise and shine, sleepyheads! Waking up at the crack of dawn, this intrepid group hiked up Middle Sugarloaf Mountain and were rewarded with sunrise, peachy skies and mountain views! The group soaked up their last day in the White Mountains with another day of incredible hiking and then headed back to camp to whip up a tasty camp-made meal!
“There are good ships, there are wood ships, there are ships that sails the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be”…right, Ron?
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
Another day of hiking in the books for NEMCB! This group put some mileage in, trekking around Tuckerman’s Ravine and getting some awesome pictures along the way! Although they depart from the Whites tomorrow, the fun is far from over! The New England journey continues tomorrow in Maine. Hey Ron, did you know that Maine is the only state name with one syllable? Crazy?!
Bet they didn’t expect snow in their forecast…
Prom pic!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A (CRMA)
Oh, you never cease to amaze me with your fun facts, Sunny…It was a much-anticipated challenge day today for CRMA! Today is one of the days that the kids look forward to the whole trip – with many spectacular views! It is such a big achievement and always leaves the group with a sense of accomplishment. This crew is looking forward to whitewater rafting tomorrow, and then they are headed back towards Boulder! Crazy how these Apogee trips go by so fast…
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains B (CRMB)
Similarly, in Colorado, CRMB took on a challenge day today as well! So many jaw-dropping views and wildlife opportunities for the group! They look forward to a delicious meal and an early bedtime tonight as they prepare for their rock climbing day tomorrow! It’ll be such an exciting and fun way to close out this adventurous trip. The excitement is really starting to sink in and become a reality for this crew as they approach their final days. Keep it up CRMB!
What’s that we see…? A snowball fight?! How cool! (literally)
Caribbean Service (CS)
We’re going to take a journey down to check on our friends in the Caribbean now! CS spent their morning volunteering with the Sail Relief team, who has been helping the island of Vieques recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. After their morning of service the group headed to La Plata Beach for some well deserved R&R. At time of broadcast, the group was heading for their night kayaking tour of a bioluminescent bay! We might have to wait until tomorrow for coverage on that story, but in the meantime here’s some highlights from today’s events:
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Heading back up to the Pine Tree State now, we hear that our dedicated MCCE crew spent the morning revising their essays, putting pencils and pens to paper to make a final product that shines as brightly as they each do! The group spent their afternoon at Bowdoin College, honing their interview skills and all passing with flying colors! Perhaps some of them will even step foot on this campus again – as college students!
Maine Coast Photo (MCP)
Cameras in hand (or around neck, we should say), MCP took a ferry and spent the day on the beautiful Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. The forecast today was foggy with a chance of great photos. For hundreds of years, this island has inspired artists to capture its rocky coasts, pine forests, and beautiful ocean views. Tonight the group is making final edits to their creations before one last workshop tomorrow! We can’t wait to see their photos, but in the meantime, the photos of them taking photos are pretty great too…
Photo-ception
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
It’s day two of backcountry hiking for our DEX group! Today they trek into heavy moose territory, but whether they sight one of those majestic beasts or not, we’re sure that they’re having a blast out there and we can’t wait for official updates from the sources themselves when they return to the frontcountry tomorrow. Back to you, Ron!
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
We’re headed up to the great nation of Canada for this report – VMA biked their final miles of the trip today! Today’s 37 miles brought them into their destined city of Montreal, Canada. No more biking means warm beds and extra delicious meals! Congratulations to VMA for a great trip! Now, enjoy your day off in Montreal, jot down your friend’s contact information, and don’t forget to buy your family members some souvenirs…
Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
Similarly, VMB had a solid 37 mile day, and this determined crew is finally at their destination! Wow, what an amazing trip! The excitement and positive energy will only be heightened by the delicious feasts and warm beds of the hostel for the next two nights! Enjoy the down time and be sure to celebrate. You all are amazing!
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
We just received yesterday’s photos from CRLS’s last day at Hogar de Indígenas and we could not pass up the opportunity to share them with you…I mean come on, just look at these adorable pictures! Today the group switched up their surroundings and headed to Manuel Antonio, home to the country’s smallest (but greatest!) national park which they will get the chance to explore tomorrow!
And they’re off!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
…and that’s not all from Costa Rica! This just in from leader Emmaline who is in the field as we speak:
“It’s with full stomachs and even fuller hearts that we leave the Fonseca family’s beautiful home tucked away deep in the rainforest. We spent an amazing 4 days there serving the community and the environment by building raised garden beds and planting vegetables to prevent deforestation and trying all kinds of new things like traditional Costa Rican food (we made our own tortillas and chocolate!) and a sweat lodge. Now we’re off to the beach to try out snorkeling and surfing and enjoy our last few days together!”
Thanks for the update, Emmaline!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Coming back stateside, our fearless backcountry explorers have returned to the frontcountry and boy are we all glad to see them again! Their packs may be lighter, but their hearts are certainly fuller after this huge accomplishment! After resupplying food and likely taking some eagerly awaited showers and laundry runs, the group settled into camp for the evening. Let’s see what this crew has been up to for the past four days!
All hail the pineapple king!
Looks like fun, team! We’re glad you’re back!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
Day three in the backcountry for this group and it was an epic one at that! Today they completed their longest day of hiking in Yosemite, enjoying the views along Indian Ridge and Half Dome. Our minds are spinning imagining all of the beauty that this group encountered today…I know Ron and I can barely wait until tomorrow to see the pictures of the adventures and shenanigans that this group got up to! With that I’ll send it back to Ron to catch us up on the news in the Last Frontier…
Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)
The Alaska Mountains and Coast crew is finishing up their kayaking stretch today and is back on land! They headed back to their accommodations at Miller’s Landing today and get ready for their glacier tour tomorrow! What fun! Day 42 means only 3 more days until the end of the trip for these pioneering pals. Make the most of it!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
Heading back down the west coast a bit, we’re going to check in with NWXA who spent another day on the beautiful Cypress Island and paddling around the San Juan Islands! It seems hard not to have a good time in such a beautiful place. Enjoy the last night of your remote island getaway!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
It’s the last full day of backcountry adventuring for NWXB and that means that we’re only one day away from seeing those sweet, sweet pictures that they surely took along the way! I know that both Ron and I are eager to catch up with what the group has been up to. Enjoy your last night out there, NWXB!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
Today, PCA biked 34 miles all the way to Olema, California – their second-to-last day of riding! After this, they only have 32 miles left until they reach San Francisco! Where has the time gone?! Such an exciting feeling as the group enjoys their last night in a campground tonight before they get to sleep in the comfy beds of the San Francisco Hostel! The faint smells of the Ghirardelli factory and the local In-N-Out are calling their names. Keep crushing it, PCA and finish strong!
Pacific Coast (PCB)
PCB took on a challenging 63 miles of biking today as they caught up to PCA and will be staying in Olema, California as well! Next stop? San Francisco! They can see the Golden Gate Bridge on the horizon! The excited energy in this group is infectious and stoke levels are high! Stay fueled and focused, PCB – we cannot wait for your well-earned arrival into San Francisco!
Scottish Highlands (SH)
These highland explorers got to spend the first part of their day sea kayaking on the coast! The Scottish coast is home to some shockingly beautiful coastline, particularly along the Arisaig archipelago! Not only was the group paddling on the water, but they were able to give back and spend some time cleaning the shoreline and raising awareness for the beautiful areas they get to explore. Such a pivotal part of any Apogee trip! The group is looking forward to their time coming up in Edinburgh!
Oh, this just in! A weather update from Scotland! Blue sky has, in fact, appeared! Would you look at that, Sunny, it’s a sea kayaking miracle!
Alps Explorer (AX)
Seems like our Alps Explorers got an uncharacteristic case of wet weather today! It was a rainy day in the Alps, folks, as this AX trekking crew took a soggy hike from La Fouly to Champex. It was a short day with a slow descent most of the day that eventually started to ascend a little past a beautiful lake and into their campsite in Champex. The group was able to adventure around the town of Champex today after their hike where they warmed up with some good food and warm drinks!
Look at that great stride! Such natural form!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Everybody’s gone surfin’… surfin’ in Hendaye! Ha! Please excuse my poor rendition of a Beach Boys’ classic there. But, yes, day 42 is a surfing day on the coast of France for our PMC crew. Such a fun treat after a hectic and tiring past few days. After ridin’ some waves, the group was able to take it easy, hang out at the beach, and explore around some nearby towns. This group has earned this fun day off and looks forward to their time in Barcelona coming up! Go team!
America Coast to Coast (ACC)
This just in – America Coast to Coast is no longer riding! I repeat, America Coast to Coast has made it to San Diego and is not, in fact, biking one hundred miles today through a desert. Wow, what a journey for this bunch! After celebrations and festivities yesterday in the waves of the Pacific Ocean, this group of warriors had a well-deserved day off in San Diego as they were finally able to give their bodies and minds a rest… for good! Congratulations to everyone and a HUGE shout out to their fearless leaders Ezra, Lorin, and Brad for making this trip so memorable! This group looked forward to a big feast for dinner and, as I would presume, an early bedtime.
Thanks, everyone for tuning in to this special day edition of Apogee news! So much to celebrate on Day 42 and so much to look forward to in the days to come. Once again, I’m Ron Blogwriter, and this is Sunny McDesktyper, and we are signing out. We will see you next time! And, as always, stay classy APO world…