The director of Project New Start in Flagstaff, Dane Gruver, takes the torch to the waiting teens.

Video of the first month in USA

Teachers running with the flame always gets a big cheer from their students.

Our day began with a wonderful ceremony at the New Start School. We were looking forward to this event because we had gone there last year and we had a wonderful experience with everyone there. The main administrator, Dane Gruver, and some of the staff there were outside to greet the runners. Dane carried the torch to the classroom where about 25 high school age kids were gathered.

Our ceremony lasted about an hour, starting indoors and ending outdoors with some of the teachers and kids carrying the torch around the yard. During the ceremony we fielded quite a few interesting and thoughtful questions about harmony and how it relates to what we are trying to do. We are very grateful to all those present for contributing so much to our stay in Flagstaff. Nicolle De Gomez was especially helpful in organizing this event for these very special kids.

Eric shares the biggest , freshly baked chocolate-chip cookie a-la-mode with his hungry brothers.

After checking out of our fantastic accommodations at the Days Inn Rte in Flagstaff, most of the team drove down to Sedona for the start of an almost two day vacation. On the way out of town I had to stop at a computer repair store to have this very computer looked at. I could not get any light from the screen figuring that maybe this old machine has seen its last days. But to my delight, Mark and Dave at the Computer Renaissance in Flagstaff were able to look at it and fix it for no charge. This was a real blessing as this computer is the main one for writing the stories here from the road.

The famous red rocks of Sedona delight the nature lover in us all.

We drove to Sedona to start our two days off and it was a spectacular drive. Huge pine trees lined the Coconino National Forest and the Oak Creek Canyon where Sedona is situated. Descending in the Canyon is incredible as the vistas of green trees and hills turns it huge panoramic views of giant red rock buttes and rock formations surrounding you on all sides. The town is very quaint and modern with very environmental friendly architecture that blends into the natural surroundings.

Lunch at Picazzo’s Gourmet Pizza was a true feast.

We had a late lunch at Picazzo’s Gourmet Pizza. Thanks to Ron for such a wonderful meal and all the staff that were so kind to us, we had an incredible experience there. The food is the best we have had for lunch and the most creative and unique pizzas and extremely delicious salads as well. It was a great way to be welcomed into Sedona.

Rosemarie finds more friends who love our trail mix.

Checking into our accommodations at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort we were pleasantly stunned by the beauty of the grounds and the quality of our rooms.

We even have jacuzzis in our room and electronically adjustable mattresses. What a boon for two nights on our two days off. We are so grateful to Karen Oakley, the General Manager, for this wonderful arrangement which will make a big difference to us at this point in our trip.

It’s now off to the Grand Canyon for hiking only, no running I hope. We will come back with lots of harmony from the grandeur of mother Earth and photos that will try to do justice to the vastness of this wonder of the world.

Restfully,

Arpan and Team Harmony

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