The women's team enjoyed generous accommodations at the "Palace", thanks to longtime Peace Run supporters and coordinators. They also provided giant sized lunch bags for the team, which lasted more than two days! Yum!
The team begins the day at the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors Center. A ceremony has been arranged to honor a most significant person with the Torch Bearer Award.
The Torch Bearer Award recipient is Norbu Tenzing - son of Tenzing Norgay, one of the first to summit Mount Everest, together with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Norbu is President of the American Himalayan Foundation, he is accompanied today by Gill and Sarah from the AHF.
Peace Runner Sweta Pradan from Nepal points out the appreciation, respect and gratitude the people across the Himalayas have for Norbu and the AHF who bring safety, shelter, education, healthcare and opportunity to the region and thus have improved countless lives.
Thank you Norbu for your selflessness, sincerity and warmth. You truly embody the ideals of the Peace Run, it is our honor to know you.
All gratitude to the San Fransisco long time Peace Run support team.
Friends from San Diego joined the team as well: it was wonderful bridging the Golden Gate together with you Stacey!
Running begins, into the mist of the unknown, trusting the torch to lead us across the iconic bridge.
The fog is a natural phenomenon resulting from the Golden Gate being the only passage around between warm hills and cool sea.
But lo and behold - the fog is clearing ...
... now morning sun is revealing the beautiful bay.
Proud and happy Peace Runners!
Leaving the Golden Gate behind and heading north.
We are enthusiastically received by Anne Sands of the Rotary Club of West Marin.
Anne nominated Christian Giacomini to receive the Torch Bearer Award.
Christian is a dedicated community leader who supplies everyone with goodwill, cheer and generosity of spirit.
That's not all Christian supplies! ;)
We enjoyed tour time with our new friends at Port Reyes Peace Garden!
... and were delighted to hook up with our old friend Nayak's brother Dale :)
Anne is leading the way past comfy coffee chairs ...
... back out on the road: Highway #1!
This way to a scenic run through a pristine Northern California landscape.
Youthful energy!!
Due to the fire risk, a burn ban in California means the peace torch carries a flower for now. No fire today!
California's flora is fiery enough.
... to keep its population safe and thriving! ;)
When stopping for lunch we met Michael Strauss at his ranch, who turned out to be a good friend of Omunity Zan Zan and Putu of Sudaji. Balinese Peace runner Suhasini was delighted! Michael kindly took us for a little tour around his farm.
A gift to take with us from Strauss farm :)
Cows also sang us to sleep at our campground out in the meadows. mooooh!
