Cooke City is tucked away at the foot of majestic mountains just next to Yellowstone National Park. The Peace Run team is on its way early, on its way to Beartooth Pass.
Mirage or mirror ? The views of the mountain lakes are breathtaking!
Our sturdy Peace Run RV is climbing the serpentines up to the pass like a mountain goat.
This is what actual mountain goats look like.
And we enter the realm of mountain goats after all.
The Peace Run team on top of the world!
Beartooth Pass, that is. Elevation, 10,947 feet, or 3,337 meters for our Austrian teammate Chintamani. She felt right at home here amongst the peaks.
Cheerfully, Chintamani starts off down from the pass.
What a start into the Fourth of July!
The flame of peace braves the snows that last long into summer up in these high mountains.
Passing the torch to fellow travelers.
The Peace Torch can brave strong winds, rain, snow, high altitudes ... but it DOES need refueling for that!
What beauty lies in these high altitudes! We bask in the crisp morning air, inhaling the fragrance of the mountain herbs and flowers.
The alpine meadows are home to the shy and swift marmots as well. They give off a piercing whistle when they sense danger coming - a Peace runner for instance ...
The Beartooth Highway is on the Montana Wyoming border and is considered "America's Most Beautiful Drive". It is a 68-mile winding route with treacherous switchbacks and beautiful alpine meadows. And it connects Red Lodge, MT, with Yellowstone National Park. It is a breathtaking entry to our Fourth of July celebration in Red Lodge.
Coming down the mountain to a scenic vista point overlooking the canyons.
A Fourth of July sized bag of kettle corn is the reward at the end of our running stretch!
It is a day to celebrate America's 250 year birthday.
Swift feet heading towards Red Lodge. The Peace Run has been invited to participate in the Fourth of July Parade there.
The parade in Red Lodge is lining up. The Grand Marshall leads the parade on horseback, Montana style!
Even the horses seem to know it's a special anniversary this year.
Happy 250th Birthday America!
The Peace Run RV joins the parade down Broadway, a Peace Float among the other floats. Everyone joins in the festivities of honoring America on this special day, A historic event and the Peace Run is proud and grateful to be part of it.
Teammate Tavishi is Australian by birth, but American at heart!
Niko, on top of the world again!
It's never too early to learn about the Peace Run!
Everyone is excited to hold the Peace Torch and to express their love of America and hope for peace and friendship. Red Lodge is a rare and enthusiastic town, what an excellent moment to share in their best American spirit.
This man held the torch in 1976 in Chicago during the bicentennial Liberty Torch relay!
Parade announcers Kathy and Gary - duo extraordinaire!
Red Lodge has many different clubs, communities, and nationalities, including Vikings in their 'longship'.
Kids brought buckets, hats, or bags, or whatever was available to scoop up the candy thrown out from the floats.
Who is brave enough to pick up this lollipop?
Mayor Dave Westwood of Red Lodge comes to the rescue with the most important job!
Taking care of SH...TUFF! That's Dave's motto.
After the festivities, runners went for an icy swim in Rock Creek, that flows from the ice melt of Beartooth Pass. Then the team enjoyed a scrumptious Fourth of July feast with all the traditional delicacies in our excellent camping accommodations.
Then, the team was joined by none other than Mayor Dave himself.
Red Lodge rocks!
After plenty of stories, laughter and shared wisdom, everyone gathers for the 'official photo'. Dave leads a very fulfilled life and we are grateful he has chosen to share it with us.
No special camping night is complete without s'mores and songs. Some stay at the campground while others head up to the hill above town for the fireworks after dark.
Dear America, may your next 250 years be peaceful and prosperous for all, America, the beautiful!
