After entering Montana on foot yesterday and spending most of the day running into incredibly scenic hills, forests and valleys, we expected great vistas from nature again today. We were not disappointed to say the least. Montana is a huge state in area with less than one million people in it.

There may be more cows and horses and deer than people, and definitely more grand and green trees. We ran by hillsides and mountains full of pine and fir trees as well as others that I cannot even describe or name. The Clark Fork River was by our side again most of the day as we made our way into Missoula, a growing yet still quite beautiful city.

We were greeted by two television stations, NBC (KECI) and Andrea Lutz as well as CBS (KPAX) with Marci, Britta and Abbey doing interviews and filming. Our women’s team ran into and through Missoula this morning as the two crews of very professional women news journalists covered the story. They gave three in depth interviews, asking very meaningful and insightful questions.

We are so grateful to these hard working women, some of whom are still in school studying news journalism. They came out on a Sunday on this 4th of July weekend to cover a meaningful and globally important story. The enthusiasm that these four women had to get them out and create a great story for thousands of local citizens to watch and share in our Harmony endeavors was very uplifting and heartwarming. On both a professional and personal level, these journalists demonstrated what real grassroots reporting for the good of the community can do.

In the evening we found our accommodations in Butte which were kindly arranged by Shelly Bunny who works for the chief executive of Butte and Randy from the Chamber of Commerce who single-handedly took on the task of helping us stay here and get involved in Fourth of July festivities for tomorrow as well.

After a great meal donated by the Perkins Family Restaurant, we were invited to the local fireworks near the center of town by Shelly and her family.

We were so happy to meet them all. We also met some neighbors as well after the incredible fireworks display. The air was still buzzing with excitement of the pre-holiday celebration of Independence Day as we headed back to our motels.

Arpan and Team Harmony

---

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

< USA 2 July

USA 4 July >