Heat, Hills, and Wonderful Encounters

It was a hot day, in the 90’s F, or about 32 C. Atulya and I were on lunch duty which meant that we were going to run in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day. Our full team is down to ten runners, five men and five women. Since we have four vehicles, that means we have four teams. There are two-three person teams and two-two person teams. We are averaging about 11 miles of running per day for each person right now. Doing all those miles in the heat sometimes makes it feel a lot longer. Even though we have had a few hotter days than this, today was quite hilly and sunny as well.

The route in this part of South Dakota takes us past miles and miles of farms: farms with cows and horses, farms with grass and hay, farms with fields of wheat and other agriculture.

The roads are long and straight, up and down, narrow and wide. There is not much traffic though, which makes it all the more peaceful and enjoyable. Surviving both the hills and the heat, Atulya and I drove to the town of Winner, South Dakota, to settle into the Buffalo Trail Motel.

As we were entering the town, we noticed two young men walking with a big stroller that at first sight looked like they were walking a child. Atulya noticed a map of America on it though, which almost made us turn around to find out what they were up to. Since we were headed in the opposite direction and were eager to get to our hotel and cool down, we did not stop to meet them. I felt a bit guilty and hoped that that the women’s team that was still a bit behind us may see them and stop to greet them.

When we reached the motel we were welcomed by Connie Schramm, the manager who was very hospitable and friendly. She offered us 5 rooms to stay for the night.

In the evening we were treated to meals at the Pizza Hut. The managers, Sam and Dianna, were very kind in offering us their great pizza, salads and other dishes. Billie, our waiter also made us feel welcome and comfortable.

We also were offered complimentary sandwiches from the local Subway shop for tomorrow’s lunch.

Then Collin from the Winner Advocate newspaper came by the motel this evening before dinner and interviewed some of the runners. With such a warm response to us by many of the people here today, we really felt like winners in Winner.

Arpan and Team Harmony

Run across the USA

A broad meaning inside, as broad as the country indeed. Meeting new fellow travelers every day crossing the country on foot, make it sound like a thousand voices, as many as the travelers are: Like the rollerblader we met resting on a chair in Raven Coffee Shop somewhere in Missoula, Montana with a deep tan and white stripe across his eyes from the sunglasses on his face, after few months rolling through the states; or the two French cyclists going up a hill with an exhausted look and sweaty faces one afternoon in the heat. They gave water to one of our runners as they were cycling from the south to the north with a goal hidden somewhere in Alaska.

Today on the road we also met two real comrades in spirit. As Torch Van was climbing up a hill near Winner, South Dakota, we were just in the beginning of our serious conversation with Sevati about how tired I was from all the miles, when we saw on the top of the hill two wondrous runners in red with a trolley near by, speaking with our runner, Svetlana.

Matt and Brandon are doing a 3,300 mile long run across America, from New Jersey to Oregon. There are only two of them and the trolley with tents and some water and clothes inside. With this run, they are raising money for water supplies for the children in Africa. Here, whoever runs into a desert, prairie or mountain comes to know the real meaning of water.

With an average of 35 miles a day, I felt that their task was tougher than ours. We can jump into the car, but they can not jump on the trolley…all is on feet. Like real traveler monks at the end of the day they ask for accommodation in some house and if there is not any, they put up a tent.

We were laughing when Brandon said that the first thing he wants to do, after they reach the ocean is to push the trolley into the water and sit in a couch the whole day long watching TV. We fully understood him. Efforts like this can make simple things look very meaningful and delightful, as a meeting with my grandma or a walk to the supermarket along the chestnut alley in my hometown.

After seeing some license plates sticking out of their bag, I thought this will be the hobby for the runners across the States in the new millennium. Just have a look at the rare collection of our most zealous and dedicated license plate hunters, Linda and Svetlana as well as Elke in the first half of our journey.

Matt and Brandon will finish on the 28th of August as their parents are working on the web-site of their unique adventure, called www.RunAcrossTheUsa.com

Meeting on the road with these fellow travelers gave us new strength and spirit to continue. We had to cover many miles and roads before we met them here, and there were no words to describe how special and significant it was, but we all knew it silently.

After sharing water, jokes and inspiration, the time came for us to part.

Under the setting sun their two figures went west as we headed east.

Maria

Bulgaria

Rosebud Indian Reservation

Today our team ran through the Rosebud Indian Reservation. As I was running, Billie, Cassandra, and Sydney came up to me to ask what we were doing. I explained a little and then Billie said she could call the local newspaper so that they can cover the story. Two miles down the road I saw their can again and asked if the girls might want to run with me. Sydney said, “Yes” right away and she took the torch and took off running. I could not even keep up with her.

It turns out she was on the track and field team in her school. Cassandra also ran with us for sometime. We had such a wonderful run together. Later I found out that while Anja was running some miles a head, the reporter had come to take pictures of her team of World Harmony Runners.

Sevati

Winner well named

We were all very impressed with the receptivity of Winner, SD. The hospitaliy was exemplary. Our many hosts treated us very well and with great oneness.

I was lucky enough to have time to spend with the hotel manager, Connie. She was kind enough to allow me to put up yesterday's web page using her DSL in the office. The site was running slow so it took much longer than usual. She waited very patiently and chatted with me while I put up the page. I learned quite a lot about Winner, White Water and her much extended family.

You really never know under what circumstances you'll make a new friend.

Atulya

San Diego

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