After having run up the long hills yesterday leading up to the Stinkingwater Pass, I was on the morning team which got to run down the other side. Running down can be a bit difficult as well because you have to regulate your speed so as not too pound the pavement too much and cause undue stress to the knees. We had a great morning run as it was cool and very little traffic. Our team ran into the small city of Burns, and one of the women’s teams then ran through Burns.

On their way through the City, the women were met by a local high school runner named Nathan Ritches who ran with the torch through town and into Hines where they stopped at the City Park. The runners were welcomed there by many enthusiastic and supportive locals including Mayor Ruth Schultz who offered us a proclamation from the city of Hines and a beautiful medallion, Steve Grasty , the Harney County Judge, David Fine, the City Manager of Burns. Crimson Presley of the City Council in Hines was there also as the director of the Wiggles and Giggles Day Care.

She brought some of the young children with her who gave us so much joy, including her beautiful daughter Ashley.

Cathy and Sarah Clark of Burns who we met last night and had dinner with us were also there. Sarah rode her bicycle along with the runners through town and then let our runners take turns on the bike as she ran with the torch. We were also fortunate to have Betty Hawley and her grandson from the nearby Paiute Indian Reservation join us at the park ceremony.

A few members of a Peace Vigil group called Women in Black also came to show their support. Terry Keim and Pam Teller, along with Pam’s husband Mark and their daughter Rose all added to the wonderful reception that these two towns offered us this morning. We were glad that Johnathan Sharp from the City Council in Hines and who is also the manager of the Best Western where some of the runners stayed last night was able to make it to the Park before we left. There were a number of others who came to enjoy the event and even though we may not have gotten everyone’s names, we are grateful to everyone who offered their kindness and goodwill with their presence. We are also grateful to Debbie from the Burns-Times Herald Newspaper for coming out to cover the event.

The local Subway sandwich shop offered us delicious ‘subs’ for lunch and we are are very grateful to Cathy, the manager, for such a kind offering.

As we proceeded further south and west in Oregon the weather became quite cold, windy and even rainy at times. Heading towards Lakeview, the scenery was quite vast and scenic, but the runners were challenged by the strong headwinds and cold rain. At one point, while struggling into the wind, Elke encountered a huge bull sitting on the side of the road. The bull was startled by this runner coming towards it with fire and started snorting and assuming a very threatening posture. Everything turned out fine as Elke was able to avoid the confrontation, but when she recovers from the shock perhaps she can tell us her side of the story.

Settling into Lakeview, again we were treated with such kindness and hospitality by the local residents and business owners. Bob and Barbara Kings, owners of the Lakeview Lodge Motel, offered us a large double room for the men’s teams. They were very kind to offer us accommodations at the last minute and LuAnn who works at the front desk was also very kind in letting us use the computers. Domino, their dog, was also a very friendly host, welcoming the clients in the lobby.

The women’s teams were treated to a large room for the night and breakfast the next morning at the Hunter’s Hot Springs Resort by Ann Turkle and her son Ken. They were so kind and generous considering they were fully booked but somehow made room for the women. Everyone also enjoyed the hot—very hot—natural springs pool for their sore and weary muscles.

We were also treated to dinner by the kind managers of the El Aguila Real Mexican Restaurant in Lakeview.

We are extremely touched by the warmth and generosity of the people of these small communities in eastern Oregon for the two days since we have entered this beautiful state.

Arpan and Team Harmony

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