Before relating today’s experiences, I wish to mention some wonderful people we met yesterday who interviewed us for their very special radio program in Minneapolis. Al Mc Farlane, President and CEO of MMI and Insight News Group, invited me and Pujari to be interviewed for a program that will air on Saturday. Lauretta Dawolo, assistant to the publisher of Insight News kindly coordinated our presence there at the interview program. Al was also interviewing the President of Hospitality House which inspires and offers opportunities to children to become involved in the community through athletics, among other programs. Wain, Al’s brother, played live music with two other great musicians during the breaks in the program. The drummer happened to be from Latvia, which was a pleasant coincidence in that one of our runners who recently had to go back home was also from Latvia.

It truly was an honor to be part of such sincere efforts to bring music, athletics and other healthy programs and news to the general public in this big city of Minneapolis and the surrounding communities.

Before leaving, we offered our amazing hosts a few small gifts. One thing we offered was a Certificate of Appreciation for enthusiastic participation in the World Harmony Run. All the runners sign it with and write their countries of origin as well. We give this out to all those who offer us, in their own way, their sincere efforts to further our cause toward harmony in the world. Pam and Dick still have the certificate we offered them four years ago tacked on their bulletin board for all to see. This truly demonstrates their sincere understanding and empathy with our efforts and aspirations. Upon receiving our small gifts, tears came to their eyes as they thanked us for coming there. They offered us so much in the way of accommodations and hospitality, yet they were so humble and grateful to us as well. This truly touched all of our hearts and will inspire us to keep up our efforts as we make our way home.

Yuyudhan makes short work of his mother’s Pecan pie after a ceremony with kids in Rochester. We hope his two young friends got to eat something.

On our way out of town we stopped at the Lifeworks, which “serves people with disabilities, business and the community.” Pam and Dick have a lovely daughter, Brittney, who attends Lifeworks, so we took up the invitation to visit there. It was such a bright and colorful place, with an extensive art program and display of many creative works. In serving people with disabilities and creating opportunities for artists with disabilities, Lifeworks is a very valuable community program which is essential to offering opportunities for those less fortunate and encouraging harmonious relations in families as well. We were so impressed and moved by the wonderful opportunities and results of such dedicated work by all of the staff at Lifeworks.

Father and Son, they even look like the like each other.

After leaving Hastings, we were soon greeted by Mr. Chuck Hoppe a bit further down the road. He kindly drove all the way offered us a very generous lunch prepared by him and his wife Edith. They are the wonderful parents of our good friend Yuyudhan Mike Hoppe who is also the Minnesota coordinator for the World Harmony Run. He has done a great job in seeing our way through Minnesota along with help from friends in Minneapolis including Sharanya, Pritika, Meghabhuti and others along the way. Now the Hoppe’s were enriching our experiences here with great food and even a warm reception at Silver Lake in Rochester.

This was our wonderful cheersquad in Rochester. Thanks very much for coming out.

As we ran to Silver Lake, we were greeted by about 15 children, the Hoppe’s, the local channel 6 TV station, and Elizabeth Nida from the Post-Bulletin Newspaper.

Yuyudhan with his Mum and Dad, two big supporters of the World Harmony Run. Thanks for all the delicious food. Mmmm

After a very inspiring ceremony with the children and staff of the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester, we were treated to homemade pies by Edith Hoppe. Her enthusiasm and hard work along with her husband Chuck, and her son Yuyudhan, really warmed our hearts and filled our stomachs. Running out of Rochester was a bit of a chore after such great food and company, but we had to keep the Torch moving towards our final goal which is fast approaching.

Jitesh and Gautam and Julia very kindly hosted the Girls team in Minneapolis.

We are always so grateful to those who make it so much easier and inspiring for us to run the Torch about 100 miles a day. The people who offer us accommodations at night play a key role in our success and survival as well.

Jowan and Eric thank Vicki from the front desk of the Nicolls Inn who hosted us for the night. Thank you very much.

We settled tonight in the Nicholls Inn and Suites in Winona due to their generosity. It is a wonderful accommodation which was conveniently located just about where we finished our day’s run.

Arpan and Team Harmony

Pujari Schaeffer has joined the run twice now and we are always very glad for his cheerful and enthusiastic company.

Triple leaping in Minnesota Hill Country

Today I ran with Salil and Prabhakar in the idyllic farming country of southern Wisconsin. As we triple leaped we covered miles quickly, though I believe this is the hilliest part of Minnesota. The long hills and heat really were tough for me since I am used to cool West Coast weather. But the rolling corn fields, forests, and sandstone cliffs of the Southeastern part of Minnesota made the miles easier. And now knowing that the girls team is in the RV preparing another scrumptious meal will top off another great day on the Harmony Run here in the heartland of America.

Pujari

Many thanks to Bill from Walmart for most kindly donating water to our group of thirsty runners.

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