Our morning began with a rainbow near our campground; an auspicious start to what proved to be another great day of running in Eastern Montana.

Video of the first month in USA

Another peaceful night at a nice campground made for a good rest and recovery from yesterday’s very hot run. We are so grateful to Jim and Amy for their generosity and hospitality in giving us ample space to camp out and hook up our Recreational Vehicle.

This morning some of our runners met with the ‘ROCKS Kids Program’ in Miles City. Joyce Vera, the director, felt that our philosophy is compatible with theirs. ‘ROCKS’ stands for ‘Raising Our Community Kids Safely’. Similar to a summer day camp, this program offers children of all ages opportunities for creative and recreational activities.

We ran the Torch to the children and staff, sharing our stories with them and singing our song with them. Some of them, although quite young, seemed very aware of the meaning of our visit.

After the song we went outside and had a run with all the children and some of the staff around the lawn. The children seemed to have a great time with us and even took turns holding the Torch to make their own wishes for harmony and goodwill in the world. We are very grateful to Joyce Vera, the director, and the staff including Sarah and Zane who ran with the children.

John, from the local newspaper, the Miles City Star, and Mike from KATL Radio were there to cover the story, for which we are very grateful as well.

This was one of those days where the little things seemed to count most.

Running in this area of eastern Montana is very peaceful as the landscape spreads out like an ocean of grasses, small bushes and occasional trees. The air was partially humid and the weather quite hot as we made our way towards North Dakota on our seventh day running across this huge state of Montana. In the town of Baker we were greeted by the local newspaper there, the Fallon County News. They have sent someone out each time we have passed through here. We are so happy that they understand our efforts so well and share it with the local constituency.

Just down the street from the newspaper office is Sakelaris’ Restaurant. It is a very good restaurant with very interesting décor and wonderful people who run it. They have always been kind to us and have offered us some of their delicious homemade pies as well. I just wanted to say hello to Shirley, the owner, who I met many years ago here. She was not in at the time but her husband, Chris, was there. After telling him about our long and winding journey to his restaurant, he kindly offered us some of their homemade pie, drinks and ice. Mia, one of the workers there, remembered us coming by there last year. Cheyenne, a high school student working there was also kind to us and held the Torch with Chris outside. Cheyenne has done some painting and artwork to add to the décor at the restaurant which makes it even more pleasant and homey.

Running east from Baker, I was surprisingly greeted by a woman who stopped her car and came running out with a five dollar bill to offer me. She said she read about what we are doing and thought it was a wonderful thing. Her heart was so sincere and eager I could not refuse her gift.

This was the icing on the cake of a great day full of wonderful and supportive people in this very thinly populated area of the huge state of Montana.

We finally settled into our accommodations at the El Vu Motel in Bowman, North Dakota. Tom and Lenora generously offered us two rooms as they have done in the past. We are ever so grateful to them for this kind offering in their lovely motel.

Arpan and the Team

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