Our first stop was Fort Ross Historic State Park. Cayla kindly welcomed the team and played a short narrative movie describing the Park. Fort Ross was the southernmost outpost of the Russian American Company, a trading company begun in 1799 to develop trade between Russia and various regions of what is now Alaska and Northern California.
Hank shared an insightful and detailed tour showing the early trading relationships between Russia, China, Spain and Metini Village-the first known name for the region.
The Russian American Company traded extensively with Spanish settlers providing bread for the Northern Colonies, with Native American Indians providing sea otter skins for trade with China and with China importing tea and silk for the Colonies.
Fort Ross was constructed of Redwood and inhabited by Russian families. The Fort is well preserved as a historical representation of their early lives.
Hank offered the team an excellent tour. As a thank you, the team presented Hank with a copy of 'Listen to Nature', a compilation of writings and poetry of Peace Run founder, Sri Chinmoy. Thank you Hank!
Liam from Fort Ross holds the torch.
A moment of peace.
The running begins...
"Perfect happiness is enthusiasm minus expectation" --Sri Chinmoy--
The community of Elk, CA was excited to welcome Harita and the Peace Torch.
The team receives a warm and enthusiastic welcome from all those in Elk who came out to meet the peace runners. A perfect meeting spot right in front of the Elk Store.
They enthusiastically learned the World Harmony Run song in action.
'Peace begins with me'
Anica Williams and her daughter Mila held the torch together. Thank you Anica for inviting the team and for arranging such an inspiring and enthusiastic program in Elk. We will remember you for many years to come!
Those peace runners who had finished their miles for the day were very happy to enjoy afternoon tea offered by the locals. Others continued on to the next program.
Sending a heartfelt wish for Peace and Harmony to the next town: Mendocino!
Harita carries the peace torch to the next ceremony.
A group of local citizens wait for the peace torch to arrive in Mendocino, cheering the team as they arrive.
The team is introduced to Mendocino residents by playing a game to guess which country each person is from.
Each person offers a wish and hope for peace as they hold the peace torch. Lastly all those present sang 'Let There Be Peace On Earth' together.
Thank you Carole Raye for bringing the community together to meet the peace runners.
Tracy who now lives in Mendocino, ran the Peace Run in Elk in 1987! What a wonderful connection!
Another friendly local in Mendocino holds the peace torch outside his photography gallery.
Thank you to Jeff Stanford, our wonderful waiter, Jared and the entire staff of Stanford Inn's Ravens Restaurant, for treating our team to a most delicious and exquisitely prepared and presented vegan meal. The Raven's Inn has so kindly hosted the Peace Run team each year since 2014. The whole experience is serene, uplifting, and deeply nourishing.
The mission of Stanford Inn is "...to celebrate nature- its beauty, its support for us, and its resilience...to create an environment in which guests, staff, and family are able to connect and deeply appreciate the natural and, in so doing, themselves."
Each part of the meal was a gourmet experience!
We left sumptuously fed, happy and enormously grateful! A beautiful day of happiness, kindness and peace.
Thank you to all the exceptional people who joined the Peace Run today. We carry your wishes and hopes for peace as we continue along our way.
"May the flames of peace-torch Kindle and awaken Each and every world-citizen." Sri Chinmoy
