By: Isa Caliandro & Josh Goldenberg
If you were looking for some musical inspiration from two songbirds of our generation, here is a Vanessa Carlton and Michelle Branch-inspired blog post. These two were once thought to have a rivalry and even thought by some to be the same person. Michelle Branch put all that to rest when she told the world that they are “totally cool.” And this is why, today, we let them speak on behalf of the Apogee community. So here’s our challenge to you: can you spot all of the Carlton & Branch song references? Good luck!
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRMA, CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VMA, VMB, CRLS, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, PMC, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
Who’s To Say whether this group had a Wonderful trip with lots of fun and excitement or a truly amazing trip with tons of joyous exaltation. You be the judge! All we know is that watching this group say goodbye today could have made anyone Come Undone.
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Today is not just any Ordinary Day, for these folks; as they take to the waves and Sway, it will be a truly special day. This crew will be spending their morning surfing the iconic waves of the Cape as they are Rinsed by the salty waves.
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
Today these NEMCers are saying, in the great words of Michelle Branch, “Goodbye to you, Goodbye to everything I knew” as they (briefly) left the glorious White Mountains of New Hampshire for a morning of whitewater rafting down the Androscoggin River. We’re looking forward to seeing those action shots once they’re posted by our rafting outfitter!
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
After six days of hiking and community service in New Hampshire’s White Mountains National Forest, it might feel like the NEMCB gang has walked 1000 Miles. Fortunately, they’ll get a break from their boots as they hit the Androscoggin River tomorrow for a whitewater adventure.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A (CRMA)
“All you wanted was somebody who cares…” and today, CRMA showed you that they do. For their last full day together, they volunteered with a local food shelf in Boulder, CO. Then, after an afternoon of exploring Boulder, they’ll enjoy their final, celebratory dinner out on the town.
Caribbean Service (CS)
It was a busy day for Joe & Nicole CS squad today; they managed to fit in an awesome exploratory hike around Ferro Lighthouse, while also giving back to Puerto Rico by partnering with Community through Color’s Sail Relief Team. Here, they helped organize and pack hurricane preparedness palettes. As if that wasn’t enough, they also made time for a visit to a black sand beach, where they’ll “say goodbye to the yesterday” as they reflect on their day.
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Vanessa Carlton wrote of a House of Seven Words. Our MCCEers have written over 5,000 words in their house! On the last day of their trip, these literary masters spent the morning putting finishing touches on their essays before sharing them this afternoon. Vanessa Carlton was invited to attend the reception but was unable to attend.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
DEXA will not Hear The Bells tonight as they spend their first night out in the backcountry of the Appalachian trail. They will be roaming around in Baxter State Park for the next couple of days. We will sadly have to wait until they emerge from their hideaway to receive photo evidence of their adventure.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
One final day of hiking for the DEXB team – and exploring Baxter State Park isn’t a bad way to finish. We can’t wait to see the pictures that are sure to come tomorrow as they head out of the wilderness and make haste towards the coast for their overnight kayaking adventure.
Vermont to Montréal A (VMA)
Today, underneath the Willows, this boat load of bikers rode to Grand Isle, Vermont, which included a bike ferry and a ride on the epic causeway! Fun Fact: Grand Isle State Park is the most visited state park in Vermont because of its natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere.
Vermont to Montréal B (VMB)
This morning this great group got their hands dirty diggin’ up some Japanese Knotweed at the Intervale Center. After a satisfying morning of volunteer work, they decided to Take it Easy in Burlington for the afternoon, enjoying the cobbled streets and good eats! You know what they say: rest day, best day!
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
Mark and Eliza’s crew are riding high today (figuratively) after literally riding high today — while zip-lining! They zipped through the canopy Costa Rican cloud forest, on the longest zip-line in Central America! After this exhilarating day, these speedsters are looking forward to slowing it down and having a delightful final meal to book end this magnificent early summer trip.
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast spent their second full day in the quaint town of San Gerardo de Rivas exploring the trails of the Chirripó valley. What lush vegetation and smiling faces! Tonight, they’re packing as they prepare to head into the Savegre Valley Rainforest for their two-night stay at the eco-lodge. This may be our last day of photos until they’re back in cell range post eco-lodge!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
Dear California, wow, how do you do it? How are you so stunning with such perfect weather!? We don’t even have to ask the Henry & Olivia’s CMCA squad, “Are You Happy Now” because we know that if there was ever a place to be joyous, it’s in the gorgeous Yosemite backcountry. Tomorrow, they emerge! Which means pictures!
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
Vanessa Carlton’s song Dear California was not about the Yosemite backcountry, but after Emma & Todd’s crew’s backcountry adventure, we would like to propose a rewrite. This landscape and its grandeur is more than worthy of an good song. As the kids are saying these days, the “stoke is high” to see photographic evidence of their expedition tomorrow!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
Today NWXA spent their time gearing up, physically and mentally, for the big kahuna of their trip. Four nights in the backcountry of the North Cascades National Park. If All You Wanted was to be engrossed in the amazing wilderness and the stars, the North Cascades is the place to go. Lucky for this troop, that is exactly the plan!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
Sea Kayaking day one for Emma & Nicholas’s crew! They packed up their gear into kayaks in preparation for a couple days of exploration in the San Juan Islands! This wonderful new way to experience the ever-amazing Pacific Northwest left more than a Temporary Feeling of love for the place. Sooner or Later this incredible place will have this crew’s hearts, if it doesn’t already!
Pacific Coast (PCA)
After hanging-ten yesterday on the open ocean, Carter & Jessie’s crew took on the roads of Humboldt county, with great views of the coast never far away.
Pacific Coast (PCB)
Cruising waves, and enjoying the legendary surf of the West Coast, this group had a Crazy Ride today surfing near Crescent City. Nothing like some salty ocean water to invigorate you for another week of beautiful rides down the west coast!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Red and Arie’s crew listened to some Private Radio as they drove across the border from Spain into France today. They enjoyed exploring the quaint little French town of Sare as they gear up for their two-day hike to the Atlantic that starts tomorrow!
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Jared & Jeanne’s crew got a lovely meal prepared for them at their indoor accommodations for the night — staying at a little mountain refuge along the Tour du Mont Blanc! After eating the three course meal, some are saying they could literally Hear the Bells of charming Chamonix in the valley below.
Alps Explorer (AXB)
Today the Marching Line of AXBers continued their hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc. On their hike today they passed by countless chateaus, clumps of cows, and through wooded corridors. Not enough service to squeeze out a blog pic today, but tomorrow’s should more than make up for today’s photo dearth!
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
It was only a Matter Of Time before this group made the hop skip and a jump across the border into the most hexagonal sovereign nation in the EU (France). They wrapped up the riding down the lovely cobblestone streets of rural France, thinking, can there be any More Than This?
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
After a relaxing day off, ACC1 ROLLed with the TIDE right on into Alabama.They logged 93 miles, only 907 less than Vanessa Carlton would walk if she could just see you. Tonight they will dream about the two 93 mile days left this week that they will inevitably conquer like any Ordinary Day.
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
Ezra and Tina kept up the pace today cruising into camp around noon again today after 73 miles. What an incredibly quick group of young riders! Tomorrow they will Take It Easy with their first rest day of the trip. Great first week, team!
