It was a quiet day regarding meetings with people today. We spent most of the time running among the huge rock formations, hills and valleys surrounding Lake Mead. We had lunch at the lake and we had planned to do some cliff jumping, just low safe cliffs that some of us had visited in the past. Unfortunately, due to a very dry spell, the lake was very low and the site of the cliffs was almost all rocks below. Some of us did mange to go swimming for a few minutes in another area of the lake but the water was low and not as inviting as usual. This was a bit disappointing because the temperature was 94 F and we did not have time to look for any other swimming locations. Swimming for some of us is a good way to cool down and recover the leg muscles in an enjoyable way.

Moving on, my small team of Morris and myself ran north of Lake Mead through Overton and towards the Arizona state line. We did have a few interesting encounters with locals there which always gives us joy when people stop for us. A man named Joe came out with a popsicle for me which I gladly took to eat. He had three young daughters: Marissa, Ariel and Felicia. Marissa held the torch and I told her that I have a niece named Marissa and her sister’s middle name is Ariel. I asked her what does she do in the summer when it is so hot and she told me, “We just burn up, but then in the winter we get cool.” Her father said we picked a nice day to run as it was over 100 F last week. Now you could see why we keep seeking out the water holes.

Another gentleman, Native America looking, stopped in his car across from where I was running and asked what it was all about. I told him to get more information from our service vehicle where Morris was up ahead. He eventually stopped to ask Morris for more information. Morris told me that the man named Lee Vernon who happened to be from the southern Paiute Reservation, was delighted to meet us. He told Morris that he recently had ‘found God’ , referring to his new found religion, and that somehow he felt that he was meant to run into us as well.

Inspiration and harmony comes in many forms through many different types of people. But we all have a heart and a yearning for something good in the world. We are so glad that the simple act of carrying the torch can inspire so many people who are strangers at first, then quickly become friends. This is what we always see and experience each day without fail as we run for World Harmony throughout the length and breadth of the world. Sri Chinmoy’s vision of a harmonious world is definitely a blossoming reality if we take it one step at a time, one person at a time, with love and sincerity in our hearts.

We are grateful to those who show us the way and help us on our way. Tonight we stay in St. George at the Best Western Corral Hills. We are so grateful to John Kessler, the assistant manager and director of sales for offering four rooms. It is a very clean and organized motel and it even has a wonderful swimming pool and hot tub for our weary legs.

We had a delicious meal at the local Pizza Hut thanks to the generosity of Korie Mc Fadden. The food was great and the service was very friendly. Thanks to all the workers there who made our entry into St. George a pleasant and friendly one.

Arpan and Team Harmony

---

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

< USA 3 June

USA 5 June >