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Happy National Hot Dog Day! Is it a sandwich? The debate has been raging for centuries. We here in the office are on the side of thinking it is a sandwich of sorts. Which got us thinking… If our trips were sandwiches, which would they be? With all the types of sandwiches in the world, there’s bound to be one that’s right for you. Just like there’s an Apogee trip for you! Read on to hear about what our groups got up to today and which sandwich they would be. As always, follow along on our Instagram for more awesome @apogee.adventures content!
Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMC, CRM, CSPR, CSVI, ECC, IMC, MCCE, NWMC, PMC
Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)
Kicking things off we have Alaska! Which claims the Smoked Salmon on Pilot Bread as its signature sandwich. This dense and durable flatbread was brought to the state by maritime traders in the 1850s, and it soon met its match in the state’s very own orangey-pink fish. Much like the Alaskan salmon during the late summer, our Apogee adventurers headed six miles upstream into the Chugach wilderness area today to get a taste of what the Alaskan backcountry is all about! Check out the before hike and summit contrast below!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
Bringing it back down to Colorado, we have the Fool’s Gold Loaf! This sandwich consists of one hollowed out loaf, filled with the contents of one jar of creamy peanut butter, one jar of jelly, and one pound of bacon. Legend has it that Elvis Presley and his friends once took his private jet from Graceland to Denver only to purchase 22 of the sandwiches, spending two hours feasting before flying home. Today, the Apogee crew took on the biggest challenge of the trip yet: the Twin Sisters peaks. With ample Spongebob impressions, props pug storytelling, and endless games of contact, this group absolutely crushed their challenge day hike and had fun doing it! Tomorrow our crew looks forward to a day off the trail and onto the water as they take on their whitewater rafting portion of the trip.
Caribbean Service Puerto Rico (CSPR)
Created by the Puerto Rican diaspora in the Chicago neighborhood of Humboldt Park, the Jibarito is a burger patty sandwiched between two pieces of fried plantain and topped with all the fixin’s. Unlike a patty frying on the griddle, our Apogee crew took refuge from the sizzling sun today by delving into the jungle of Luquillo to work on trail conservation. They donned gloves, pushed wheelbarrows, and hauled gravel to ensure that future generations can enjoy the spectacular beauty of El Yunque National Park! After a morning of hard work this crew cooled off on one of Puerto Rico’s many beautiful beaches.
Caribbean Service Virgin Islands (CSVI)
Meanwhile, St. Croix is famous for its Johnny Cake Sandwich, a type of fried dough stuffed with fish, saltfish, or local ham. Sometimes known as Journey Cakes, this type of bread was invented by Indigenous Algonquian peoples, who would bake them on hot stones and carry them on long expeditions before European colonizers adapted the recipe and brought it to the Caribbean. Coincidentally, the cakes resemble sea turtle eggs, the endangerment of which our Apogee Adventurers scrupulously battled all day. Beginning with a sea turtle walk in the morning, the students conducted a beach cleanup, increased the visibility of beach markers that protect vulnerable turtle habitat, and went for a snorkeling trip to cap off all of their hard work!
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
Soaring across the Ocean to Germany where the transcontinental Apogee caravan just entered the fabled Black Forest, we find the well-renowned sandwich of the same name, consisting of signature Black Forest ham, butter, mild mustard, a slice of Emmental cheese and gherkins paired with a hearty dark rye bread. This sandwich is dark, earthy, and funky, just like the shady canopy of the Black Forest beneath which our Apogee adventurers will repose tomorrow on their rest day. A hearty congratulations for all of their efforts thus far! 84 kilometers (52.2 miles) is no joke, and there’s bigger days ahead! We’re excited to hear all about the Germanic adventures this crew is bound to experience. Enjoy a cute group tent moment from the crew below!
Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)
Carrying the torch for all of the proud hot-dog-as-a-sandwich proponents out there, we have the Pylsa, Iceland’s very own classic hot dog! Made primarily with lamb, it is served on a bun and traditionally topped with both raw and fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard, and remoulade. Made to be eaten on-the-go, this style of sandwich fits perfectly with the theme of our Apogee students’ day today: transit. But that’s not all—on their long drive across the country, they stopped at some scenic hotsprings to slow-cook in the geo-thermal waters like a bunch of Pylsas simmering in a pot. They’re very excited to go on more day-hikes on the southern rim of the island, and experience the famed black sand beaches very soon!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
With a somewhat controversial inclusion to the pantheon of sandwiches, Maine contributes the delectable Whoopie Pie. Is it a sandwich? It certainly fits the profile of a sandwich, consisting of only three simple components: two cake-like chocolate rounds and a fluffy white filling. This morning, our MCCE participants took to the waters of Casco Bay, churning the waves with their kayak paddles like a baker churning a bowl of cake batter. Later, they settled into a writing workshop to whip up their creative verve like a pile of fluffy frosting. Finally, they wrapped up their day by catching front-row seats at sunset by the ocean. What a treat!
Northwest Mountains & Coast (NWMC)
Jetting from the East coast to the West, Washington’s Dungeness Crab Roll makes an appearance on this list. You get what you bargain for with this no-frills sandwich: sweet, succulent crab meat tossed in butter and served on a toasted brioche bun. The sandwich has much in common with the place it comes from—sweet, and simply amazing. Today, our Apogee squad transited to Olympia National Park. Enjoy these pictures of them exploring the beach by their campground! Looks like they’re eating good and having fun!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Finally, we have the Entrepà de Fuet, Catalan for “entrepà sandwich,” which is a beloved staple of the Pyrenees. Because it relies on local, easily transported ingredients, namely a rustic baguette-style loaf, thin slices of dry-cured pork sausage, salt, pepper, and garlic, it is culturally ubiquitous as a hiking lunch or a quick beach bite. Speaking of which, today our awesome Apogistas hiked five miles to a beach! Afterwards, they hit the pool for a quick rest, did laundry, and got their ducks in a row for their upcoming trek. They’ll be sad to say goodbye to the coast for the time being, but they’re pumped to explore the Pyrenees!
