Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, CRM, CSA, MCCE, DEXA, VM, CRLS, CMCA, CMCB, CQA, CQB, MSA, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SHX, AXA, AXB, ECCA, ECCB, ACC1, ACC2
Hey, pals! We had a wonderful Friday in the office and can’t wait to spread the good vibes to you. There were borders crossed, waves surfed, waters paddled, miles crushed, gears turned, and French struggled with. Our groups are fully in the groove of Apogee life and continue to amaze us with their tales (remember Veggie Tales?) of adventure. Meanwhile, Apogee photographer Gabe Souza is headed back to Maine after spending some time with our Cape and the Islanders for the start of our inaugural Maine Coast Photo trip (which begins tomorrow!).
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
The Cape Codders got totally tubular in Wellfleet. They had a killer time carving up the swells and practicing their surf lingo. Sounds rad!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
The CRMountaineers picked Heterotheca Villaso (unfortunately not a Harry Potter spell) with guest leader Melinda of Open Space Boulder.
Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA)
They CSA crew continued their service in the National Wildlife Refuge after an exciting evening of salsa lessons. They spent the afternoon relaxing enjoying Vieques’s pristine black sand beach.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
The DEXters hiked Maine’s iconic Mount Katahdin today. Although they could not summit due to incoming storms, they had a fun and challenging day tackling Katahdin’s rugged terrain and enjoyed the views above treeline. Stay tuned for pictures- they will be re-entering civilization tomorrow!
Vermont to Montréal (VM)
After a week in Vermont, the Vermonsters finally made it into Quebec! Bonjour, eh! They are excited to explore French Canada and make their way to Montreal. Stay tuned for poutine.
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
CRLS explored the jungle of Western Costa Rica and utilized their Spanish to greet its numerous animal inhabitants. Word is: sloths have a beautiful grasp of the language. They can’t wait to send us photos of the jungle many splendors.
California Mountains & Coast (CMCA)
CMCA continued to explore Yosemite’s many wonders. Many might wonder: Where are the pictures? They are stored in a phone in a pocket in the backcountry and will soon be in my computer.
California Mountains & Coast (CMCB)
The CMCB gang kayaked Northern California’s Tomales Bay- famed for its world class oysters. While they did not feast on any bivalves, they did learn the bivalue (bivalvue?) [Ed. Note: we can only do so much with these wretched puns. Our apologies.] of teamwork whilst kayaking.
Coast to Québec (CQA)
After a week of riding, the CQ Alphas enjoyed a lovely day of white water rafting on the Kennebec River. They were happy to don new helmets for the day and even happier to give their legs a rest!
Coast to Québec (CQB)
CQ Bravo, meanwhile, coasted up to Greenville along a roller coaster of rolling hills. They were greeted in Greenville by a swim and group mail! They are looking forward to devouring your mid-trip treats and rafting the Kennebec tomorrow.
Montana Service Adventure (MSA)
MSA rode 28 miles across Montana’s high plains. Even though we don’t have the picture to prove it today, they felt like true cowboys and cowgirls as they sped past cattle ranch after cattle ranch. Howdy partner!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
NWXA spent the day resting and resupplying for another jaunt through Washington’s heavenly backcountry. They are officially Team Jacob [Ed. Note: this is a reference to the popular “Twilight” films of early 21st century vintage.] at this stage in the trip. They even enjoyed a boisterous game of “Captain’s Coming.”
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
NWXB explored the San Juan Islands by kayak and enjoyed the wild juxtaposition of peaks and sea. They did not spot my Uncle Doug, but had a great day nonetheless.
Pacific Coast (PCA)
Last night, both PC groups shared a beautiful evening and bonfire together- stories, laughs, and apogees were plentiful. PCA pedaled down into Del Norte Redwoods State Park today and admired the light dancing among the ancient trees. Overheard while riding: “That is a big tree.”
Pacific Coast (PCB)
PCB quite literally dominated the Pacific Ocean today. With nothing but thick neoprene, a guide, and a quiver of shred sticks, they carved some epic waves. In other words: they had a great time learning to surf as a group on very manageable waves.
Scottish Highland Explorer (SHX)
The highlanders scaled The Devil’s Staircase (not as bad as it sounds) and then made their way down to Kinlochleven. I will leave you with a wee line from Macbeth: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”
Alps Explorer (AXA)
Dave, Isa, et le Alps Alphas hiked from Tre Le Champ to La Flegere, stopping for lunch at magnifique Lac Blanc. Sorry, just got a little lost there in my expansive French vocabulary! Stay tuned for more FOMO (fear of missing out) inducing pictures as the Tour du Mont Blanc continues.
Alps Explorer (AXB)
Same old, same old for AXB. Another routine day of mindblowingly epic views, picturesque villlages, cheese, baguettes, yodeling, bucolic meadows, sunshine, and no bugs. Hope you all enjoyed Nick’s ironic Perigee shirt yesterday. Au revoir for now, my friends!
Europe Coast to Coast (ECCA)
After crossing into France yesterday, ECCA crossed back into Belgium to Chimay, a small village best known for its Trappist cheese and ____________.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECCB)
ECCB crossed the border into France after a scenic ride through the countryside. They will cross back into Belgium tomorrow but have enjoyed their first taste of France. Stay tuned for: baguettes, cheese, thin mustaches (maybe?), and more of my expansive French vocab (I’ll try to work in an “o” with one of those funny little hats…). Will post pictures as they come in!
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
ACC1 continues West (news to me) and crossed into Alabama today. They rolled (roll tide) across the border in style after a much appreciated rest day yesterday (resterday).
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
ACC2 enjoyed a restful day in LaGrange, home of textile magnate Fuller Earle Callaway and rapper Bubba Sparxx (the more you know..).
