Video of the first month in USA

Although we unfortunately did not have enough time to enjoy Salt Lake City this morning, as we drove out to meet the running team running to the ceremony in Ogden, one could not help but to be totally energized by the huge, white capped peaks of the Wasatch Range of mountains to the east. All day yesterday and most of the day today these gentle giants surrounding us and escorting us north reminded us of the incredible power and beauty of this wonderful planet.

Entering Ogden just before the meeting with the Boys and Girls Club, we saw Sevati, our runner from El Salvador, finishing her first run on this trip. She arrived just last night and was excited to join the team in these ideal surroundings. Some of us, though, had not been in a busy metropolitan area such as this one for quite a few weeks. Consequently, one of the women on the three women team got lost and we had to supply Sevati with enough water and fuel to finish her run to the ceremony while the other two girls were busy finding each other.

Luckily the other women arrived on time and we ran to the Boys and Girls Club where about 60 children and staff were awaiting our arrival. Chandra, the organizer, and Butch, the Director, were happy to welcome us although they had not gotten much notice and were anxious to learn more about us.

For about 30 minutes we had a heartfelt meeting with the children, and even the staff became involved as they ran around the field with the Torch being carried by Butch.

After singing the birthday song to one of the children, he led them around the field with the Torch again to the joy and delight of everyone there.

The children were so excited about running with the Torch that they wanted to do a few more laps.

Then all the children had the opportunity to touch or hold the Torch momentarily while offering a wish for something good to pass on to the next destinations ahead.

My team of three runners, Banshidhar, Ulugbek and myself, were fortunate today to be able to run through most of Logan Canyon. Running through the city of Logan in northern Utah, the route out of town that we took went immediately to the mountains and followed a small but powerful river called the Logan River. This river at times was very close to the road we were running on for about 20 miles, serenading us with its sweet and powerful music and motion. A few times we were able to dip our legs into the icy cold snow melt stream while waiting for a runner to come. The current was so powerful that we would not dare to swim in it lest we immediately be carried downstream.

Ascending to higher elevations and making our way through the pass, the river gradually disappeared from view, but the incredible vistas that began to appear were quite spectacular. Rolling hills and canyons led us to the ultimate view of the expansive and deep blue Bear Lake down below us. As we descended towards Garden City where we were to stay for the night, Bear Lake just consumed our vision and stole our hearts as our experiences of nature today just got better and better.

Thanks to the kindness of the management at Canyon Cove Inn in Garden City, we enjoyed a close proximity to Bear Lake as we ended our day. With our own home cooked meal from our camper that we ate outside, we were unexpectedly treated to a huge rainbow which lasted quite a long time with a very deep range of colors.

This truly epitomized our whole day of the harmony and closeness to nature that we were privileged to experience today while running on the road to Harmony.

Gratefully,

Arpan and Team Harmony

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