The morning started out relatively cool, but the air was filled with smoke from a nearby fire. A huge forest fire had started a couple of days ago, just west of Rapid City and was already over 3000 acres in area. I was hoping that it would not reach all the way to where we were to run today as it was quite difficult to breathe deeply in town. The wind finally shifted a bit and we were not affected by the time we went out to run.

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to one of our runners who has been with us since Salt Lake City. Slava, from Moldova, contributed much to our team and will be sorely missed.

This morning I had to take another runner, Pathik from Bethesda, Maryland, to the bus terminal as his two week stay was ending today as well. He was the youngest member of the team at 17 years of age. We will also miss his hard work, his miles and youthful energy as he has to go back home to his family.

Prabhakar and I were a two man team now that there are only five men and five women.

Originally scheduled to make lunch for the team, plans were quickly changed when one of our cars needed a tire and rim replaced. The other guys had to go running, so Prabhakar and I went searching for a rim and tire. Finding an auto salvage yard with the right size rim for our car took some time. As we were going to pick it up at the ‘junkyard’, I was thinking of how much I did not like junkyards and that I had better things to do. This had to be done so I took it in stride. When we arrived at this salvage yard we found something quite unique and interesting here that I have never seen anywhere else in ‘junkyards’.

Firstly, this place was very well organized and relatively clean for a ‘junkyard’ or salvage yard. There was a whole car stuck through the side of a building which was interesting. But more amazing than that were the sculptures: some complete and some in the process of being created. They were made by Don Gorman, the owner along with his father Dan. Don cuts up old steel bumpers from junk cars and welds them together into amazing forms of art. We first saw the finished bull, and then an elephant in the process of being created. Inside was a huge and incredible eagle sculpture. They also had many antique bikes and other objects which looked more like a museum than a junkyard. It turns out that they have a huge building being prepared to become a museum next year.

After getting our rim, Don threw in two hubcaps that we also needed, at no charge.

It was an unexpectedly pleasant and surprising experience that we had, considering we went to this place because of a problem with our vehicle.

Finally getting out on the route to go running, Prabhakar and I were to do about 20 miles of the long day’s mileage. We started at the beginning of Badlands National Park. From there on, it was very scenic, hot and dry. The scenery made it all worthwhile as we made our way to Cedar Pass. There we were able to explore more of the Badlands and had our cameras clicking away at the spectacular natural sculptures. Of course, there were many curious travelers who asked us about the torch as we took photos. One woman stopped her huge motor home to ask about the Run and to hold the torch. Another woman who asked me about the Run had Connecticut license plates on her car and as we talked it turns out that we went to the same University of Connecticut and we were both there in the same year. Small world………..

Thanks to Jeff and Cyndi Plumlee who own the Budget Host Sundowner Motel in Kadoka, we had a good night’s rest in very clean and well kept rooms. They were very hospitable and friendly and made our travels through South Dakota all the more pleasant. Please accept our sincere gratitude.

Arpan and Team Harmony

Giving and receiving

(but more receiving)

Here in South Dakota we do not run through densely populated areas, but the nature is beautiful. The Badlands were incredible sight for the eyes. This is also the home of a very friendly Indian tribe, the Lakota’s. They are not so many but at least as special as their land. During our running route today they were our society on the road.

Just for a change we had very hot weather. Sevati and I were running through the reservation and Svetlana was driving. Today I was just a little faster than a snail, I felt more miserable than inspiring. But the cars which passed by were extremely supportive. Drivers are not the same everywhere, sometimes they do not even notice the runners but here everybody was waving. Most of them were from the Reservation. A lot of people stopped and asked about the run. They deeply appreciated it, and many expressed their gratitude.

Soon I noticed that Sevati accelerated her speed. At first I thought the Spanish music gave her so much dynamism which she was listening to on her discman. But something must have happened to me too, because my fatigue was gone. I was flying uphill in the heat. (But I did not listen to Spanish music.) The local folks gave us a lot of energy by their enthusiasm.

Later we realized that the road which we were supposed to cover was longer in reality than on the map. But not even this fact could discourage us today. We could easily transcend ourselves a little after getting so many heartfelt good wishes.

Right at the spot where the car stopped and I wanted to start my last miles and where Sevati was going to finish her mileage for the day an Indian man was waving and waiting for us. Earlier on his way home he drove by us and decided to give us some presents. We got some beautiful handmade Indian necklaces from him. He said: “I cannot run, but I wanted to give you something. I hope you will have good weather and you will make it to the end. It is wonderful what you are doing. I will keep you in my prayers.”

He felt that we gave him something nice, but we felt the other way around. This is a mutual exchange between people, you realize that you get when you give. We feel that what we are doing is so little and what we are receiving is infinitely more.

With gratitude,

Linda

Some Wonderful Stops

Today as we ran we had many people stop and greet us as we passed the town of Wanblee, South Dakota.

Earnestine Quiver stopped and gave us this beautiful comment:

“Our support is with you. May the Great Spirit watch over you. Our prayers are with you.”

Later as we were finishing our run Duane Milk, walked out of his house and handed the girls who were in the car 4 beautiful beaded necklaces as an offering. Personally, I felt this was so special. It felt like a garland to me, as Linda put it around my neck when I reached the car to finish my miles for the day.

Thank you for coming and meeting us,

Sevati

El Salvador

Running lightly!!!

Even though it was a very hot day today, I had one of my best running days.

Some of the runners agreed by saying that the running is very light.

Yesterday and today almost all of our running route went through Indian reservations.

When we run through the little villages, far away from towns, people are so light and shining, simple and happy. It gives me so much joy and freedom. I believe the reason I felt this way is that there is something special about these people and their “holy land”. To run through the countryside, just the torch, me and miles and miles of endless silence is one of the most beautiful things I will remember, when I go home. To know, that there is nothing around to disturb this silence which is lying in the air, is to experience freedom. I was breathing deep while running. Breathing in this amazing vastness and silence that surrounded me on those two wonderful days.

Anja

P.S. Maybe my breathing was too deep!!

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