In the morning we check in with Cathy, the General Manager of the Best Western Plus Ponderay Mountain Lodge. She afforded us a complementary stay at this excellent hotel that we took full advantage of: from relaxing our weary feet in the hot tub after a long day of running, to the scrumptious breakfast to strenghten us for the day ahead. The girls were raving about the fresh local berry mix! Thank you to the breakfast team, which is represented here, as well!
The men's team is already out on the road, covering the first stretch of miles.
Cindy from North Bend, Washington, takes the opportunity at one of the team's switchpoints to hold the Peace Torch.
Crossing the state line from Idaho into Montana. Our stay in Idaho was short but very sweet! Now Montana will host us for many days to come. We're excited! Especially as we have "local girl" Saudamini on our team, who grew up in Bitterroot Valley.
The beautiful Clark Fork River will be our companion now. Its origins can be found more more than 240 miles east of here, with Silver Bow Creek, that tumbles down just west of the Continental Divide, above Butte, MT. Shortly before leaving Montana, its average discharge is greater than any other of Montana's rivers. Eventually these waters join the mighty Columbia River that drains much of the Pacific Northwest.
Mayor Gussie O'Connor receives the Peace Torch in front of Thompson Falls City Hall and reads out a beautiful proclamation.
Mrs. Mayor Signing the proclamation, declaring June 29 "The Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run Day".
Executive Peace Run director Salil Wilson receives the proclamation of Thompson Falls and hands over our certificate of appreciation in return.
Harita reads out beautiful words by the Founder of the run, Sri Chinmoy.
After the group foto in front of Thompson Falls City Hall the Peace Torch is passed from hand to hand ... heart to heart ...
Lisa, the police Commissioner - City Hall is her office as well!
City Clerk Kelly-Anne, the mayor's "right and left hand"!
Thank you, Skye, for the press coverage!
The sign on the restroom of the City Hall fits right in with the spirit of our strong womens' team!
Running towards our next meet and greet in Plains.
A crowd gathers in front of Plains City Hall despite the drizzle and listens to the Peace Run presentation.
Mayor Chris Allen calls Plains "a slice of Heaven". He should know, he grew up in Paradise (MT).
Owen and Cord from the local track and cross country team listening to the wise words of their mayor.
Rob from Forks Police not only provides America enthusiast Tavishi from Australia with a cool badge, he'll also provide police escort for the team running out of town.
Owen and Cord will carry the torch out of Forks. We've designated our best runner, Dhavala from Scotland, to represent the team.
Salil and Saudamini cheering on the runners as they hit the road.
Six happy feet following Rob in his police car.
Ed from The Ledger and Tracy from Clark Fork Valley Press represent "competing newspapers" but really are best friends and their playful banter and tall tales brought us no end of entertainment. Thank you for coming out and covering the Peace Run's visit to Plains. We'll see who writes the better report, haha. (I'd say their cameras were exactly the same size ;-)
Heading home after a job well done!
... as the Peace Torch travels on ...
We've finally made it to paradise!
We sure will!
These are the stories the Peace Run writes: waiting with our van in a driveway by the side of the road at our 2 mile runner switchpoint, a cute little red car pulls up and the owner of the house peeks out the window - but not to tell us off for parking in her driveway, but to proclaim, that she knows these runners in blue, since six years ago she chanced upon one of them, exactly here in her driveway, provided them with water and learned all about the Peace Run in return ... at which point Chintamani runs up with the torch and hands it to Carlotta. See you in six years, friend! :)
The cows are enjoying the lush pastures; and so are we (visually at least :)
The Prichard Formation dates back 1.5 billion years; it is one of the oldest exposed, sedimentary rocks in western Montana. It can be found at the confluence of the Clark Fork and Flathead rivers.
For thousands of years the SQELIXw - people of the Salish, Pend Oreille and Kalispel tribes - inhabited the valleys of the Clark Fork and other rivers of western Montana. Today, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes have over 6,500 enrolled members and maintain a sophisticated government with headquarters in Pablo, Montana.
The Salish people had different names for different places along this river to reflect its changing character and terrain. Do you think "Shining Waters" fits this stretch?
"Interesting" Yard Art pulling into our accommodations for tonight in St. Regis.
Geting ready ...
