Day 14: Wonderful Wednesday!

By: Annika Nygren

Day 14: Hello friends, I am back! But only for a short while… It’s up to Piscataquis, ME for Garrett and I tonight. We will be joining our DEXers for the big Mount Katahdin hike tomorrow! Super pumped. Enough about tomorrow, let’s chat about the other things going on in the Apogee world today!

CQA: Ohh what a nice day for a ride through a river valley! Mary and Mike’s group traversed some gorgeous terrain and are gearing up for their big ride to Quebec city tomorrow! Unfortunately our current Canadiens lack wifi, but they are safely into camp for the night and are currently making dinner.  Hope to post some good pictures from QC tomorrow!

CQB: Border crossing! Border crossing! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for ladies and gents… Pete and Sherry’s group are in Canada and are making their way towards Quebec City (which they also reach tomorrow)! Just like CQA, this group is lacking wifi, but we’re hoping for some great pictures tomorrow.

DEX: Northern Maine is treating Erin and Marino’s group well as they begin gearing to hike Mount Katahdin tomorrow, the highest peak in Maine hitting a near 4000 foot elevation gain.  They spent today relaxing, swimming, and playing games post-backcountry style.  Garrett and I are excited to join this group at camp tonight and for their hike tomorrow.  I promise to take lots of pictures!

MSA: It’s time for some more service! Hannah and Opie’s group are currently completing service today in Glacier National Park. They got involved in a lot of hands-on volunteering today so their phones weren’t out very often to snap pictures… way to really be present in the moment MSA and prioritize those whom you are aiding!  More service is on the docket for tomorrow morning.  Their afternoon will spent hiking in the Park!Screen Shot 2014-07-09 at 11.16.38 AM

NWX: Last day in the BC!  We are so looking forward to hearing from these guys later tonight/ tomorrow… after a loonnnng shower of course!

PCA: Last stretch in the woods and Jeanne and Matt’s group are sticking true to this trips name and pushing through to the ocean today! Congratulations!  In addition, the group conquered Leggett Mountain (the highest climb along the Pacific Coast between Canada and Mexico!) today! Way to go, guys!!!  They’ve earned a well deserved day off the bikes tomorrow near Mendocino.

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Back pod: sporting that “tight and bright”

IMG_4602These guys hit the “apogee” of their trip today, literally (wink, wink).

 PCB: Trevor and Kate’s group will be chasing PCA tomorrow to the coast! The photo below came from a celebration at the top of a HUGE hill. Get ready for an even bigger climb tomorrow team, I believe in you!!

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Can you find Trevor…? Peek-a-boo!

AX: Biggest distance day of the trip thus far! Well worth it before their day off tomorrow… Check out AX’s pictures from their descend into Courmayeur.

IMG_6999Paaaaaannnooooorrrraaaaamaaaaaaaaa

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“The cold never bothered me anyway” (Name that movie!)

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Weather change! Check out those tank tops! 

ECCA: Big day off in Paris aujourd’ hui! Jeremy and Mia’s group enjoyed some sightseeing, yummy pizzzzaaaa and acrobatics in front of the Eiffel Tower! How cool is that?!

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French Baguette! oh la la!

ECCB:  These European all stars rode into their rest day today.  They are looking forward to exploring Paris tomorrow and some time off of the velo’s (as the French say or something close!).  And it looks like ECCB will also be enjoying some baguettes and other delicious treats in tonight’s dinner!Screen Shot 2014-07-09 at 3.35.28 PM

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ACC1: Beds! Houses! Southern home-cooking from Betty! This crowd is staying with some Apo-family friends in Arkansas tonight and are already getting into the rest-day spirit by napping! At three o’clock we heard that Josh and Laura’s troop got into camp earlier this morning and are all napping. You deserve it guys, and you deserve it again tomorrow! Happy day off!!

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Mail!!!  

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Mail, mail, mail!!!  (sorry for the back lit photo!)

ACC2:  These lean, mean, fighting machines are crushing it in the deep south.  This group is in the heart of cotton country and riding strong through Mississippi.  Tomorrow these guys are off to cross the Mississippi River and into their fourth state!!

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Screen Shot 2014-07-09 at 3.47.56 PMallllll business.

 Wow! It has been strange writing about so few trips… I was away for the end of our CI, VM, CSA, CMC and NEMC trips and miss them so much already- they were a bunch of great groups. In the mean time, our current trips are doing amazing work and we are so excited to keep hearing about all of their accomplishments. I leave you in the good hands of our office staff tomorrow… adieu!