An enthusiastic group from Longview ran with us for over five hours with joyful camaraderie.

Video of the first month in USA

Knowing that there is a day ahead of you that is full of little surprises gives a ‘harmony hungry’ runner a sweet feeling of fulfillment and joy.

A staff member from the Boys and Girls Club of Portland uses the back of Joey’s T-shirt as the perfect guide for our sing-a-long.

Surprise number one was waiting for us as we arrived at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club in Portland, Oregon.

Polly and the children kept smiling throughout our whole presentation of songs and stories.

About 25 children and teachers awaited us at the club.

Skits that illustrated harmony creating actions were a big hit with the kids.

Cheering us on when running in and singing the World Harmony Run song is the best start into a new day one can imagine.

While singing the song that Pujari had composed about Harmony Runners, accompanied by Giribar on the guitar and Arpan on harmonica, the kids were jumping up from their seats to clap and join us full of enthusiasm and oneness.

We are very grateful to Holly Logan, the Program Director and Tess Corbin, the Club Director for their efforts in organizing this event.

This was a perfect day for running with new friends; clear, cool and sunny.

Heading off towards Longview, Washington, which is about 50 miles north of Portland one could have easily figured out that this was one of the routes where the most people driving by would honk and wave to us. Perhaps they heard about us on the radio. Thanks for cheering us on!!

Bob, Linda and Giribar shared their stories while running past the green and serene pastures on the route.

Another surprise was waiting for us at the Lewis and Clark Bridge going into Longview. Dick Anderson (Cowlitz Valley Runners Club) ran with the team from the bridge to the City Hall of Longview where we met with Mayor Pro-Tem Kurt Anagnostov. Having him run with us for a few miles felt like having the whole town of Longview represented in one person standing up and running for harmony in the world, in the country, in town, between people and in our hearts.

Bob Clouse, Fred Willet, Bill Reede, Dick Anderson and Dave Vorse (Cowlitz Valley Runners Club) joined us from there to run all the way up to Winlock, relaying the Torch with us. Not until today have we had so many runners who joined us for so many miles. We hope there will be many more coming who are as inspired as they were. Thank you for sharing the inspiration and importance of harmony in the world!

The Mayor of Castle Rock and a large group of seniors gave us a warm welcome that included cool ice cream sundaes for everyone.

Surprise number three revealed itself to us at the City Hall in Castle Rock a little north of Longview where Mayor Barbara Larson and many more city members were waiting for us. Presenting us with a basket filled with a runner’s most useful things (massage oils, crèmes for this and that little ache and need, and many other most thoughtful gifts) gave us a real thrill. To be taken care of in such a wonderful, warm and caring way was totally unexpected yet very much appreciated by us all.

While the torch was passed around the room, their were many personal prayers for world harmony.

From warm to cold! Ice cream was served to us by Myron Nelsen, President of the Senior Center, and other kind volunteers as well. To say we love ice cream is an understatement. Thank you for this loving special treat.

Sevati gratefully accepts a bouquet on behalf of the team.

Last but not least, surprise number four was presented to us in Winlock, Washington. Holding up a big handmade banner and a huge, beautiful flower bouquet to welcome us while running into the Winlock Ceremony made our runners feel like finishing a 2:31 Boston Marathon .

The small town of Winlock opened its big heart for our international team.

Smiles and lots and lots of kind, loving words the people of Winlock showered on the arriving runners.

Pat Anderson, the Mayor Pro-Tem of Winlock, presented us with a most colorful huge flower bouquet. Handing us water and ice can be simple but precious gestures.

Clayton Gish fulfilled this wish of ours in the blinking of an eye while Debby Blum created a beautiful yellow ribbon that wrapped the beautiful flowers offered to us. To finish our wonderful experience with the folks from Winlock, children from the middle school and elementary school ran around the lawn with some of our runners who tried to keep up with their enthusiastically fast pace while carrying the Torch.

The next generation keeps the flame moving forward.

Having a whole High School for ourselves to stay overnight reminds me of childhood when one secretly wishes that nobody else but oneself would be at school, just to escape the teachers scolding and enjoy a stressless day at school.

Thanks to Pat Anderson for arranging this beautiful High School of Winlock for us to stay over night and get some good rest after a long and exciting day full of wonderful surprises by incredible people who are now our new friends in harmony.

Anja and Team Harmony

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