We're sorry to leave Mark's beautiful house and gardens behind, tucked away in an extensive pear orchards overlooking the Wenatchee river ... Thank you, Mark, for your generous hospitality and support of the Peace Run!
The Wenatchee area is known as "the apple capital" of America - we were running past extensive orchards of different fruit and mountains of crates waiting to be filled and sent across country ... sometimes it's nice to take "the Easy street" though.
Carrying the torch into Wenatchee.
The team enthusiastically arrives in Walla Walla Point Park.
We are warmly received by the local Ba'hai community with whom we shared stories, songs - and some excellent fresh cherries.
The meeting was covered by media as well ...
Thank you, Dominic, for getting the message of the Peace Run out there!
Roxana and two very enthusiastic young family members from Samoa. The Peace Run has visited these enchanting islands and others in the Polynesian archipelago as well.
Marina, our Russian teammate carries the torch through impressive rocky landscapes by Entiat lake, part of the mighty Columbia River, the lifeblood of the Northwest.
Our next meeting is in Waterville, an historic junction on Highway 2, which has been our constant companion since yesterday.
Mayor Smith and his right hand Cathy pose with the team in Pioneer Park.
Many entertaining stories to share about Waterville.
Many more hi-stories to discover in the museum of Waterville.
Marina was excited to dive into the art of water divination under the supervision of museum curator Diane.
Diane also gave us the tour of the museum's extensive rock and gemstone collection.
Some of them are fluorescent and glow under black light.
Before we hit the road again there's time to "coffee up" at the excellent Highway 2 Brew Espresso from across Waterville church. The coffee, Mexican mocha, frappe and Huckleberry smoothie was "divine"!
The lunch team had also prepared a plentiful bag for us in the morning. We divvy up the various chores of the day between our three vehicle teams. We can get a lot done - and a lot run! - that way.
Time to hit the road again after our lunch break ... Saudamini loves to drive ... and I love her ring! :)
For our afternoon program we got a full light and magic show, with roving clouds, shifting rain, piercing sunrays ... and vaster than the vastest skies.
Attila full of dynamism charging down Highway 2
Daulat carrying the torch into wheat country ... due to fire risks it will remain unlit ...
Atulya is posing in the rolling amber waves.
O beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain!
Our team has to run the last stretch ... we've been eying the darkening skies and wandering rainpatches ... lightning flashes on the horizon and thunder is rumbling ... will the rain hit us?
The contrast of colours is breathtaking!
But we are of good cheer and start into the wind, hairs flying!
Saudamini not only likes to drive - but also to run!
We also ran through patches of recent wildfire, burnt smell filling the air instead of the previous sweetgrass. Indeed good not to light the torch!
Dramatic rainclouds over Banks Lake near Coulee City. The Grand Coulee Dam is not far away, spanning the mighty Columbia river.
We did get completely soaked, but made it in good teamwork to our finishing point off the shores of Banks Lake.
Our campground is situated a little further - on Blue Lake ... and the sun is trying for a last time to win the day ... Marina is already talking of going swimming ... well, I guess we're already wet. ;)
After pitching our tents by the lake, in Coulee Lodge Resort Campground, we enjoy a serene evening - and Santivas increíblemente delicioso Mexican dinner. Muy ricco, hermana - gracias!
A beautiful sunset and rising moon complete this spectacular day. Well ... Mother Nature has another card up her sleeve: very strong winds rise later in the evening and have us weigh down our flailing tents with boulders - and our bodies, when we retire after all, to listen to the drama outside tucked away in our sleeping bags. Peace Runners lead adventurous (and very fulfilling) lives!
