A long way from his home country of Ukraine, Dmytro is totally enjoying his first run across America.

Video of the first month in USA

Sunrise on the open plains of Montana have a special magic after you have spent the night inside an Indian Teepee.

In Harlowton, our first team of runners were joined by two young girls who ran with the Torch out of town. Mary Moe, who kindly hosted us the night before, arranged for these runners to help us carry the Torch, also showed up to hold the Torch and offer her sentiments of harmony and goodwill.

The early morning crew from Harlowton was ready and eager to carry the flame thru their town.

Maria Beggar carried the Torch for a mile or two and was quite happy with the experience of running for harmony. Christy Pletan, a high school runner, ran with our team for over five miles.

Christy Pletan from Harlowton ran over five miles with the torch and the biggest smile of the morning.

She was beaming as she definitely felt the special energy of the Torch spreading messages and wishes for harmony and goodwill everywhere it goes. We are very grateful to their parents for bringing these very thoughtful and athletic children out to run early in the morning with our team.

Mayor Bill Evans welcomed the Run to his historic western town of Roundup.

Running through the town of Roundup, my team of three runners met up with Mayor Bill Edwards, who greeted us at the City Offices. Liz and Mary Ellen from the local newspaper, the Record Tribune, covered the story. The town just had a long celebration for the Fourth of July recently and everyone was back to work for the first day since. I am sure that upon seeing a runner coming through town with a flaming Torch may have confused some people, perhaps thinking that we were a day late.

The peace that emanates from this country can easily be felt when you take the time to listen and observe.

Mayor Edwards seemed to understand fully our arrival and departure from this town. He has seen various groups of people coming through there and really seemed to grasp our concept of running for harmony as we relay the Torch from town to town.

The small historic town of Ingomar has a tradition of hosting the team for nearly two decades.

After finishing our ever increasingly hot running for the day, we took refuge in the tiny town of Ingomar. Ingomar is a town straight out of a cowboy movie and quite charming as well.

At first it may seem like a ‘ghost town’, with some abandoned buildings and broken down vehicles, yet it has enough attractions for many people who are passing through to stop and enjoy various activities and the great food sold at the Jersey Lilly Café. The town of Ingomar has only five residents who live there all year round. Other people who live there usually come in the summer months to herd cattle, buffalo, or just take a restful vacation.

Arpan enjoys the old western ambience that fills “The Jersey Lily”, Ingomars’ famous Bar and Restaurant that serves up generous portions of great food and down home charm.

Jerry Brown, the owner of the Jersey Lilly and most of the other property in town, is a very thoughtful and kind individual who always welcomes us to this little oasis. He is a businessman who worked for many years in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and now spends most of his time in Ingomar herding cattle and taking care of the town. I was privileged to meet Jerry many years ago here in Ingomar after he took over the Jersey Lilly from the former owner and long time resident, Bill Seward. I did not think anyone could replace Bill in kindness and sweetness, but Jerry certainly is filling the boots of this great, simple and humble man. Jerry showed up late at the Jersey Lilly after spending the whole day with some of his helpers, Morris and Bill, rounding up some buffalo that escaped from a field through a hole in the fence. He said he would love to spend some time with us in the morning.

The time we spent in the Jersey Lilly was very pleasant as the waitresses, June, Wanda and Michelle were very kind and friendly. They took interest in our efforts to share harmony throughout this great country and were quite thrilled to meet runners from so many countries. The café was busy most of the night even though the town itself is ‘miles from nowhere’ and only has five full time residents. It was a uniquely charming experience to spend the evening and night here in Ingomar with all the wonderful people who live, visit and work here.

Arpan and Team Harmony (tripling the population of Ingomar)

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