Pranlobha and the women's team cheerfully start the day running before the midday heat gets too intense.
Two curious onlookers in a scenic view in the morning mist.
Kanala starts feeling the heat early in the morning as the sun came out in full force.
Everyone seems to become patriotic after spending some time running through the beautiful countryside of America.
Zuzana offers us the biggest smile we have seen from her yet. She must be just finishing her run for the day.
Suhashini from Bali carries the torch as the women's team gets a police escort into the town of Niles.
Officers Leonard and Eaves kindly escorted the women runners into town.
Everyone met in the town of Niles as we were greeted by Mayor Pro Tem Robert Durm. He is a Councilman taking over for Mayor Mike Mc Causlin while he is out of town
Our13 member team from 9 different countries offer our short program to the kind folks in Niles.
Mr. Durm proudly joins us as he shares the torch with Pierre from France.
We offer Mr. Durm a Certificate of Appreciation for his kind words and hospitality at the Historic Chapin Museum which is a mansion from 1882.
Mr. Durm also accepts a colorful painting by Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the Peace Run, which says 'Serve Humanity.'
Some of the other townspeople who came to greet us were Director of the Museum Christina Arseneau, Assistant Director Mollie Kruc and her husband and their son Theodore(Theo).
Theodore(Theo) had some very interesting toys for us to play with after the ceremony.
Salil tries out his motor skills as Homagni looks on in support.
Our hosts provided us generously with fruit, water and American flags.
The Historic Chapin Mansion had some interesting features both inside and out.
Stained glass windows and ornate inlaid hand-carved trim was everywhere in this 19th Century masterpiece mansion.
The officers were ready to escort the runners out of town.
The men's team hit the road in the afternoon as the heat passed 90F.
We finally reach our goal for the day of Portage, a suburb community of Kalamazoo.
We were warmly welcomed to the Indo-American Cultural Center in Portage.
This Hindu based Center was quite inspiring with its colorful paintings and statues of spiritual figures from the Hindu culture.
We offered our program in a very spacious and sacred meditation hall.
Everyone introduced themselves as some of our kind hosts offered very encouraging words on peace and oneness.
We offered a few songs to them composed by Sri Chinmoy about the Peace Run and other inspiring spiritual bhajans.
We were also treated to some very soulful chants and songs.
We receive a soulful blessing prayer.
In gratitude we offered this special painting by Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the Peace Run.
Our Certificate of Appreciation and brochure are always offered to those who invite us to share our experiences with them. We are so grateful to those who take time to share their hopes and dreams for a more peaceful and friendly world.
Passing the Peace Torch to our new friends at the Cultural Center.
We are very grateful to our very kind hosts and their spiritual inspiration and oneness which uplifted our spirits at the end of this hot day.
Our good friend who lives in Kalamazoo, Bobby, came to see us this evening and enjoy dinner with us at a nearby Thai Restaurant.
We are very grateful to all those who welcomed us or came to visit us today.
