Starting, Ending - Where's T.S. Eliot when we need him?

Sunday salutations to one and all! Well, I don’t know about where you are today, but it is finally resplendent, refulgent summer up here in the ol’Midcoast Maine area! Green trees (my word, they better be Jolly-Green-Giant-green after all of the rain we’ve had!), blooming wildflowers, the tang of a little sweat on the brow, and cold milkshakes on at least one corner in every little Maine town – I tell you, it’s enough to make one’s heart sing!

Our once and former Vermont Hiker leader, Mike, and I trekked up to Quebec yesterday afternoon – racing up through the same woods that our students have covered in the last couple of weeks. We were outside of their hostel inside the old walls at 6:30 this morning – we were greeted by a group of completely organized, if somewhat groggy, group. Both groups had great nights out last night, Mike sent a nice picture of their group at dinner last night. Evan and Cait’s group dwindled rapidly this morning as three students were met by their parents their at the hostel – it reinforced the fact that the trip really had come to an end and that, for the rest of them, nothing remained of their epic trek but a long van ride back. And though Kevin (student – not the Cashman) asked me to turn the van around when we were nearing the rendezvous point so the group could keep riding, we made it back to Freeport. Then it was time a final “Euro Techno Cell Phone Jam Dance” – see below – last hugs, and hopes for next summer.

Our Mountains and Coasters, ably led by Rachel and Drew, wrapped it up today, as well. They lit out for the Boston area this morning after a banner final evening in Brunswick. It’s doubtful, however, that the sugar rush has completely worn off after the post-dinner ice cream and candy debauch that was described to me. The feast followed a fantastic kayak adventure on the New Meadows river – that included a downwind, rafted sail that took advantage of the same strong breeze that challenged the group as they started the day. With only seven short days, this is a quick trip – but, nonetheless, this morning there were the long hugs, traded email addresses, and misty eyes that are the hallmarks of a great Apogee trip.

Out on the Cape, a new trip has just started – Cyrus and Lidia and the gang are out on Martha’s Vineyard today, enjoying beautiful riding conditions. Cyrus sent the below picture from the Edgartown lighthouse.

And I apologize to those who are eagerly waiting to hear from our Montanans – I had insinuated that we would likely hear from them today. We’re still likely to hear from them this evening or tomorrow morning, but not by the time this goes to “press.”

On their way to Te-has, our Coast to Coasters are back on the road after a day off with several astonishingly generous families in El Dorado, Arkansas, who provided bike support, great food and facilities, and warm fellowship. Tonight they will be in aptly named border town of Texarkana before diving deep into Texas tomorrow.

Here’s to warm, sunny weather – may it shine on you (and we’d really like if it shown on our trips for about another month….).

~ Chad