Day 33: Punday Monday

By: Annika Nygren

Day 33: “Punny: A play on words for the words funny. It is a pun in itself.” This theme may be a little aggressive for a Monday morning, but I have to admit that nothing makes me happier than a good pun (well, except for sunshine and pizza). For example, “I can hear music coming out of my printer. I think the paper’s jammin‘ again.” And just because I work for company that involves a lot of biking… : ‘Do you know why the bike couldn’t stand on it’s own? It was two tired’. LOL. It’s so bad it’s good. Heads up: many of these puns only make sense when you read them out loud! Enjoy.

Cape Cod and the Islands (CI): After working on the farm yesterday and meating all the other animals, Emily and Will’s group had to hop over to the udder island (Nantucket…). Here they are having a ferry good time!

IMG_3844Ice cream was obviously a popular event amongst the boys.

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New England Mountains and Coast (NEMC): Matt and Midge’s group hung out in North Conway today exploring the town after a morning hike and bought some pretty functional AND fashionable souvenirs given the inclement weather. When I say I laughed so hard I cried looking at these photos, I’m not kidding. Henceforth, Matt and Midge’s group shall be known as the kings and queens of blog photos! The raining (reigning) Best Submitted Blog Picture EVER champions. (Also, due to persistent rain, we have arranged for these NEMCers to stay indoors tonight!!)Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 12.34.56 PM                                                         Can’t rain on their parade!

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IMG_4294Sheltered from the rain for the night and enjoying some well deserved hot chocolate!

Vermont to Montreal (VM): “Donut fear, VM crushes it rain or shine (and gets to enjoy some delish apple cider donuts after a wet morning)!” -Direct quote from Abby and Rueben. Enough said.

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California Mountains and Coast: Day 1! Most of the day was spent gathering the group at the airport and then setting up camp tonight! Dylan and Emma’s group will be hitting up Point Reyes tomorrow for two full days of kayaking and catching some reyes (rays- see what I did there?). Hopefully the leaders can keep losing cell service at bay while they’re on the water.Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 5.56.31 PM

Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA): Another Day 1!Big “WAVES” from Puerto Rico! But actually, every-juan (woot woot! reference to Puerto Rico’s capital) is excited to be hitting the beach later!IMG_1246.JPG

Coast to Quebec (CQA): And they officially made it! Hooray! Mike and Mary just called to say that they are safely in Quebec and ready to explore! These guys had big in-tent-ions of setting up camp, but quickly changed their minds when they heard about the real beds at the hostel. Starting all the way from Freeport, Maine, USA and riding to Quebec was an amazing challenge and adventure for all! Congrats!!550-MMS-1406579117-attachment1-IMAG0173

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This shot was take from a nice angle. (This pun was so bad it kind of felt like a slant rhyme).

Coast to Quebec (CQB): Oui (get it?!) heard from Pete and Sherry and they are no longer tire-d from their rides because they made it to their final destination: Quebec City! This is such an exciting day for their group and they are all excited to explore the city tomorrow! Congratulations to you as well.Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 5.41.39 PM

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Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX): Hiking up Katahdin was unfortunately cut short by some threatening dark clouds, but Erin and Marino’s group had fun and jumped for joy weather or not it was raining!IMG_7620

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Montana Service Adventure (MSA): Today during Hannah and Opie’s group ride, they road through some construction involving new pavement, it really helped with their bonding and the cementing of group relationships.. Hannah and Opie said everyone was feeling very “cem-entimental” after their ride to Choteau.

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Northwest Explorer (NWX): Today John and Izzy’s group spent time learning about the North Cascades and the trails involved for their upcoming back country hiking at the Wilderness Information Center! Today is all about resting and resupplying. We may not be getting pictures from these guys for a couple of days; we can’t bear to see you go! (Don’t worry Mom and Dad, these guys are safe from real bears, I was just desperate for some sort of camping pun!)20140728_103200

Pacific Coast (PCA): Wood you be able to guess where Where Matt and Jeanne’s group is today? Hint, it’s red! And called the Del Norte Redwoods State Park. Gorgeous riding, but unfortunately very little service. More pictures to come tomorrow, you better be-leaf it!

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Pacific Coast (PCB): After a nice rest day on the water, Kate and Trevor are surfin’ up dinner back at camp! Despite lacking a photo, the group loooved hitting up the waves and are looking forward to some Redwood riding tomorrow.

Alps Explorer (AX): What’s the best part about hiking in Switzerland? Not sure, our group is now in France, but the big flag (on yesterday’s birthday cake) was a big plus! Day Two of the Tour du Mont Blanc down, ten to go! Luckily this group doesn’t move at glacial speeds, or else they would not be getting to their campsites in good time!IMG_7615                                                                Group Snuggles!

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Europe Coast to Coast (ECCA): One last day together in Venice, and a final dinner to ciao down on tonight! Congratulations to Mia and Jeremy’s group for completing this ride! Enjoy exploring! We are so proud of you all. Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 12.02.00 PM

Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 12.01.44 PMHey Jeremy!

IMG_2659Look at all of those accomplished smiles!

Europe Coast to Coast (ECCB): Nick and Christine’s group are also ciao-ing (sorry I had to use it twice, easily my most clever pun of the day!) down on final dinner tonight and reveling in their amazing journey from the Netherlands to Italy! We will miss you guys… it’s already hard to thinking about gelatting go of you all! (woof… these are getting rougher and rougher…)Screen Shot 2014-07-28 at 4.26.09 PM

America Coast to Coast (ACC1): Into Prescott and getting pumped (like their tires) for their LAST rest day before tomorrow! Then, it is straight and smooth sailing to Saaaaannnn Dieeeeggooooooo! IMG_9209

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America Coast to Coast (ACC2): I sent out a note to all the leaders asking for my usual round of photos in addition to a pun if they could think of one, and Sam responded within 30 seconds with this picture and caption:

IMG_7618Having a HILL of a good time! Rolling climbs on our way to Heber!

Well, that’s a wrap folks. This proved to be a much more challenging task than I first anticipated! Thank you for sticking around despite this post being “awwwww”-‘full’ (eh? eh? are you sick of me yet?)! I am looking forward to checking in on everyone tomorrow!

Bye: Annika (last one I promise!)