Our thanks to AmericInn in Mankato for providing our team with a great place to rest so that we can continue our journey with fresh energy.
Two teams hit the road early today to get their miles in before it became too hot.
We used smaller roads to avoid the busy highway into Minneapolis and found ourselves on peaceful dirt roads with little traffic.
It's quite lush and green here and we were happy for a bit of shade from the trees occasionally.
There is also still an abundance of corn growing, here it's about as tall as we are!
Minnesota is often called the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' so we easily found a nice lunch spot beside one of them. In fact, there are over 11,000 naturally occurring lakes in Minnesota.
Still time for a little more running before we reached the city.
After collecting a few new team members we had a special ice cream social in the evening at the home of Edythe and Chuck Hoppe, the parents of our Minneapolis co-ordinator Yuyudhan. Salil told those gathered of our journey so far and of how everywhere we go we meet people in their communities working hard in their daily lives to create and spread peace.
We passed the Peace Torch around so everyone could introduce themselves. Vasudha has just rejoined the team, having completed the first ten days of this years run.
Ismail, his wife Evrin and daughters Tulin and Sevi are good friends of Yuyudhan and have met the Peace Run several times before. The Peace Runners love re-connecting with friends every 2 years and there were many here this evening. Anh, seated on the right here is originally from Vietnam so was happy to meet our Vietnamese runner Gatisheela.
Hilda is also Vietnamese originally and brought us some very delicious spring rolls. She is full of energy and we look forward to running with her tomorrow. Two years ago when the Peace Run visited Minneapolis, Hilda promised our team captain Harita that she would come to New York to run a marathon organised by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. She kept her promise and came last year with her friend Danny. She enjoyed the atmosphere at the marathon so much, she felt she was flying around the course.
Danny Ripka, holding the Torch has met the Peace Run many times and is a bit of a local legend in the Minneapolis running scene. He met Yuyudhan after he took part in the Sri Chinmoy 6 day race in New York in 2005.
Jackie and her son Evan take a moment to hold the Torch, Jackie's mum Chameli is well known by many of the Peace runners.
Edythe Hoppe offers her prayers for peace. She recently turned 90 and still has a very youthful spirit.
Charles (Chuck) Hoppe commented he'd never had so many overseas visitors in his home, we do have a very international team just now!
This evening was also time to say farewell to 7 team members. Don't worry, we do have replacements! Puroga and Attila, our 2 Hungarians have been on the team since San Diego and Atulya has had 2 spells on the team in that time.
Marina has brought many smiles to the team since she joined in Seattle :-))
Dhavala joined the team in San Diego and is super grateful to run through America's bountiful and beautiful nature and to experience the very large open hearts of the American people once more.
Teekhnata was on the team since Rapid City, having completed the full US Peace Run in the past. We're delighted she joined us and hope it's for longer next time!
Gatisheela was a first time Peace Runner this year and enjoyed her ten days earlier in the run so much that she came back for another week.
Yuyudhan is our Minneapolis co-ordinator and has twice completed the full US Peace Run. We're grateful to him for arranging all our meals and events in the Minneapolis area and around Minnesota.
Our huge gratitude to Chuck and Edythe for welcoming us. Their house has been a regular stop for the Peace Run for many years and we're grateful for their continued hospitality. After weeks or months on the road, it's particularly appreciated to be in a home filled with love and friendship.
