Our campsite in Creston offered unique amenities!
Morningtime on the campground.
Savita is wide awake!
Others need some caffine...
Ahhh... running in nature is always a treat.
Prapti observes a moment of silence before running...
...and she's off!
We arrive at the Yahk Kingsgate Community Hall.
Where we take the obligatory group photo.
We are lead into the ceremony by two energetic young sprinters.
The team members introduce themselves; having everyone guess which countries they come from. This time, the Slovakian continent of our team only had to give one hint, for a change.
Richard Lee Rose, who received the Torch-Bearer-Award in 2012, eloquently presented Jeff Vandergeest, President of the Senior Citizens Association and Treasurer for Yahk-Kingsgate Recreation Society, with a Torch-Bearer Award of his own.
In addition to holding these two positions, Mr. Vandergeest remodeled and improved many aspects of the Community Center including installing beautiful flower beds around the building, replacing the wheelchair ramp, designing a new pavilion and amphitheater and helping to build a library. He fundraises, organizes festivals and puts in countless hours of unpaid work.
The following is an excerpt from Mr. Rose’s speech:
“Some seek to gain as many benefits from their society as possible while others work as tireless volunteers to improve their community. Today we wish to consider an individual who has demonstrated his on-going desire to bring about the most improvement possible in the community of Yahk-Kingsgate… He not only sees where something is needed but also inspires others to join him in doing the work.”
After the formal proceedings, we were offered an incredible meal, lovingly prepared by the Yahk-Kingsgate Recreation Society.
Brian Eddy offered a nice peace prayer before we ate.
We enjoyed not only great food but stimulating conversation as well.
Judy, the talented cook responsible for the famous borscht soup, shares her lunch with a young Peace Runner.
The torch was passed around to all.
Penny, a local artist, takes a break from snapping photos of everyone to hold the torch.
The new Torch-bearer-Award recipient has his photo taken.
Judy Dickson is presented with our Certificate of Appreciation for the Yahk-Kinsgate Community.
Thank you to Judy and the entire Yahk community for providing inner and outer nourishment for our journey.
Back on the open road...
Dennis starts out with the torch, and gets his photo taken countless times. The evidence follows:
He cannot seem to avoid the paparazzi today!
Mahasatya brings the torch closer to the destination.
Sandro runs the torch further down the road.
Yatkara covers some miles...
...and offers some smiles.
The mountains get closer, the altitude increases.
The Kimberley North Star Mountain Village Resort kindly offered our runners extremely beautiful and cozy accommodations for the evening.
Shortly after our arrival, a small sun shower and a glorious double rainbow welcomed us.
Yatkara works on photo editing late into the evening.
Manager Lisa Oldenburger and Shari Leyte, Guest Services Coordinator, hold the torch before we depart. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful place to stay and for your kind encouragement!
The following is a poem that Richard Lee Rose of Yahk, BC wrote for the Peace Run in 2012:
Peace-My Opinion
By R. Lee Rose
Peace is more than the mere absence of war,
Or the result of politicians signing a treaty.
Peace is much deeper than the silence in a battlefield
After the fighting and carnage has ended.
Peace is more than the quietness in the cemetery,
For that stillness is mingled with loss and regret.
True Peace is freedom from strife and fear,
And from contention of every kind.
While Peace does not demand conformity,
It still promotes harmonious living.
Peace lives in the hearts of its inhabitants
And is nourished by trust and acceptance.
Peace can not be legislated into existence,
However, legislation can destroy it.
Although it is desired and sought after,
Peace is not a natural state for mankind,
The ways of Peaceful Living must be learned.
Let us honor those who promote the ways.
