We sometimes hear that on Friday the 13th things can get….unlucky….the natural order of life disrupts, the moons don’t align properly, karmic forces go crazy. And yet here in the office we just can’t wrap our heads around that. Today, Friday the 13th just feels so lucky! We have kiddos adventuring all over the world. They’re biking, hiking, writing essays, learning languages, and doing service. They’re making new friends, challenging themselves, and having a blast. We’re lucky to all be a part of the Apogee family!
Skip to a Specific Trip: NEMCA, CRMA, CRMB, MCCE, CRLS, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, AXA, AXB, ECC, ACC1, ACC2
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
And they’re off! Our NEMCA squad is assembled, eager, and ready to start their ten day adventure through Maine and New Hampshire. For the next few days, these kiddos will experience the natural beauty of New England, make new friends, play lotsa games and eat lotsa good food. Adventure awaits!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains A (CRMA)
Team CRMA took to the trails this morning, putting their hiking boots to good use in the Rocky Mountains.The kiddos then travelled van-style to Estes Park via Trail Ridge Road through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ding, ding, fun fact time: Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the country! We can only imagine the views CRMA got to take in. Now the crew will settle in Estes Park, where they will base out of for the next few days!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains B (CRMB)
Did you know that there are 385 miles of maintained hiking trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park? Well you better believe team CRMB will hike a bunch of those miles over the next few days. Today was just the beginning! After a morning hike, the crew travelled to Estes Park, where they will spend the majority of their trip. A beautiful lake, new friendships, and mountains galore – what more could you ask for!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Busy, busy day for our MCCE writers, let me tell you. This morning our team was off to their races, already working to generate rough drafts of their essays. Write on, MCCE, write on! After lunch, the squad had a exciting adventure, kayaking around the beautiful waters of Casco Bay. What a productive and paddletastic day for MCCE!
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)
After an eventful salsa making competition last night, CRLS took to the classroom this morning for some language learning. The squad then made a beeline for a local nursing home where they gave a helping hand. The afternoon was well spent exploring around the town of Turrialba. And if you’re still wondering who won the salsa competition last night – the prize went to team gualsa with a salsa/guac hybrid. Yum!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
Having mastered the land traverse through the backcountry it is time to test out their sea legs. These northwest explorers had a day of exploring Bellingham and preparing (mentally and physically) to take to the seas for their kayaking adventure. They are on the edge of their seats awaiting another enthralling experience. And of course as promised, the much anticipated backcountry photos!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
These backcountry explorers are seeing some of the most beautiful landscape in the whole country today. Today they made it about halfway through their Olympic journey and are therefore on the way out. Though they won’t be out for a few more days, we in the office are already excited to receive the visual evidence of this marvelous journey.
Pacific Coast (PCA)
PCA made their way to Gualala la la, la la la la (read that again to the tune of Deck The Halls) (get it?). They have a pretty cruisy day today! Nothing stands in their way as they hit their home stretch towards San Francisco. Go team!
Pacific Coast (PCB)
It has been foretold that there would be a day of rest in Mendocino, CA and that day is finally upon us. Our PCBers after three 50+ mile days this week had some well earned R&R. Tomorrow they will pick up again and go their longest ride yet, logging 66 miles before the day is done. 3 more days until San Francisco gang!
Alps Explorer (AXA)
There are not adequate words to describe most of the views on this wondrous journey – this is doubly true (if that is possible) for their hike today from Plampincieux to Val Farret. Tonight they will sleep in the shadow of a beautiful glacier while dreaming of their border crossing back into Switzerland tomorrow. Addio Italia!
Alps Explorer (AXB)
Second to last day on the Tour de Mont Blanc. These trekkers had a nice easy descent today followed by a hike up through a sun dappled forest with smatterings of beautiful wood carvings done among the trees. As they sleep one more time nestled in against this glorious mountain, they look forward to one last wonderful hike.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
These Francophiles had yet another beautiful day of riding through through the french countryside. At this point, we can only assume that they are all experts of french language and culture (asking too much?) – well, then at least that they are Maitre Fromager. This long gorgeous day finished in Celles-sur-Plaines where they will rest their heads tonight looking forward to The UNESCO world heritage protected old city center of Strasbourg.
America Coast to Coast (ACC1)
For the vast majority of this summer, our ACC1 riders are keeping to a set routine: eat, sleep, ride a bazillion miles, repeat. But every once and a while, when the moons align, our ACC1 crew has a rest today. Today was that day. Our riders slept in, enjoyed home cooked food, took some dips in the pool and just relaxed. Doesn’t that sound just dreamy?
America Coast to Coast (ACC2)
Crossing into Crossett, Arkansas was in store for our ACC2 squad today. From Mississippi to Arkansas these speedy riders rode, crushing 83 miles along the way. After a string of consecutive high mileage days, we know our riders are gearing up (wow, what a pun!) for their 50 mile day and rest day coming up!