Although we started running past Montezuma Creek, we had to drive to Bluff to our accommodation. Since this is a small town, our team divided into 4 groups which stayed in different places.
We are very grateful to all of them, each one was very special. This photo was taken in front of the Desert Rose Inn (with remarkable views)
We met very nice staff at the Recapture Lodge as well.
La Posada Pintada Boutique Inn is very eco-friendly oriented and offers delicous home-made breakfast.
Kokopelli Inn had a very practical access for our RV and we all met there for our team meeting, a big thank you to all of our most kind and generous hosts!
We also took the opportunity to share the Peace Torch with some other guests who offered their hopes and wishes for peace.
Actually our day started very early at 4.30am in a very special place - the Valley of the Gods. We were waiting in a silent contemplation for the sunrise and the reward was indeed very fulfilling. We could soak in the peaceful and powerful energy of the area as well as spectacular colors of the rock. We were fortunate to witness the changing shades as the day was progressing (from dark to red to orange, to yellow and brown) depending on the sun intensity.
After our morning re-energizing meditation, we started to run as soon as we could to avoid the biggest heat during the day.
The famous Mexican Hat Rock!
A South African - Israeli couple said peace was the most important thing in the world and that they themselves have been actively trying to promote it for the last 20 years.
Both teams met at the famous "Forest Gump" point which offered priceless views. Not surprisingly, the whole team wanted to run on this road (back and forth! :)
Margaret, a local Navajo, was selling her homemade jewelry which was especially popular with our women's team...
We couldn't miss the stopping point at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to get some amazing views and talk to other visitors.
Natasha, one of the staff in the Tribal Park was very interested in the Peace Run and showed us some of the best views where to take the picture.
Shortly after lunch time we visited Kayenta Middle School. They gave us a warm welcome and guessed our countries very quickly.
We offered this prayer stick to Kayenta Middle School which was given to us by Maria Montessori School in Memphis to pass to another school along the way. We hope it will find a good home here for a while!
Mr. James Philips, the Principal of the Kayenta Middle School, holds the Peace torch and contributes his wishes for peace which we will carry all around North America.
It was the last afternoon of the school year for these students and they were really enthusiastic to run with the torch.
We are always inspired by how the children receive the torch with their open hearts. This student must really like birds - not only did he wear one on his T-shirt but the flame shaped for him into a dove as well :)
We are never tired of the skits through which we demonstrate the differences between harmony and disharmony.
A moment of silence to feel all the positive qualities inside our own heart. Only when we have peace ourselves, can we offer it to the world at large.
When we finished our presentation in the school, we returned back to the road to finish our miles for the day.
In the evening we arrived at our camp and since we haven't camped for a while, it was a great opportunity to take our tents out and roast some potatoes and corn on the fire -Here you can see Pragati hard at work...for sure this is the most scenic barbecue we have had on this year's run!
Views from our camp and from the rocks above it.
Taking into account that today was absolutely spectacular in terms of the views all around, our cameramen were extremely busy... so it was hard to choose which pictures to post - therefore this is a quick bonus to enjoy the natural wonders.
For a world of peace,
O seeker, pave the way.
Practise oneness-life
Every night and every day.
-Sri Chinmoy
