The morning started early, not with running, but with a big breakfast.
Yuyudhan (right), our generous local coordinator, treated all the runners to this sumptuous feast at the French Meadow Bakery.
We did not have many miles to run today so we had time to get our R.V. checked out and repaired.
Salil was the first to go out on a 3 mile jog to our first ceremony.
We ran to North Minneapolis welcomed by a giant colorful mural.
Crossing the Mississippi River.
Mahasatya from Poland brings the torch to some of the many children who were eagerly awaiting our arrival.
The Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities has a beautiful facility which is relatively new.
First we passed the torch around to the children who were outside at the park across the street.
Then we went indoors to their new gymnasium that was just opened this week.
Salil started our presentation to big crowd of children in the seats.
Kaneenika, from Slovakia, enjoys her last ceremony with the children before having to leave for home.
J.B., one of the Supervisors, enthusiastically holds the torch during our ceremony.
Mr. Malm, one of the staff members, and J.B. share the torch and our Certificate of Appreciation.
A staff member of Ethiopean descent offers her kind words as she holds the torch.
Salil leads the children around the gym with the torch.
Everyone gets a chance to hold the torch and make wishes for peace and harmony.
On our way out this kind secretary offered her kind wishes for peace as well.
Some of the other runners started running from Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.
A group of local runners join our team as they start their run to Rice Park in St. Paul.
Danny Ripka, a good friend of Yuyudhan and an experienced ultra-runner, leads the group for a while.
Yuyudhan and Danny.
The Minnehaha Creek is overflowing from lots of rain recently.
Dennis (Luxembourg) takes the torch to run with some of the locals.
Locals in the park make their wishes for peace.
Cody Blades cheerfully enjoys the moment.
Sandro (Italy) takes over for a while.
Along the way they stopped at Minnehaha Falls to take some photos with interested friendly locals.
Dennis and Yuyudhan as Minnehaha Falls.
Yuyudhan passes under a human bridge as he runs over a bridge over Minnehaha Creek.
Minnehaha Creek flowing powerfully with the flood waters.
The team finally made it to the Sri Chinmoy Peace Bridge which connects Minneapolis to St. Paul over the Mississippi River.
Taking a moment of peace over the Mississippi River.
We made it to the Capital City, St. Paul.
A friendly local on the Peace Bridge had to take the opportunity to stop and share the torch.
The beautiful St. Paul's Cathedral in St. Paul.
The State Capitol building.
Posing with the Charles Schultz 'Peanuts' characters.
Sandro reads our Peace Run brochure next to one of the cartoon characters.
Peppermint Patty reads our brochure as well.
Charles Schultz was a famous cartoonist from St. Paul.
Paying respects to the Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital Plaque in honor of Sri Chinmoy's work for Peace worldwide.
Lunch was kindly offered again by our generous coordinator, Yuyudhan, at the Uptown Diner.
The food was delicious and quite filling.
We then made our way to the Selby Park Recreation Center.
The children were quite enthusiastic about our presentation.
They loved to take part in our actions to the World Harmony Run song composed by Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Peace Run, in 2005.
Liz Royce, an enthusiastic staff member, offers her kind wishes for peace.
Arpan presents the Certificate of Appreciation as Liz and a young 'peace' member of the Recreation Center accept it.
We are extremely grateful to Yuyudhan, our local coordinator and long-time Peace Runner, for arranging another excellent ceremony.
Yuyudhan shows the group our route map and where we have been running to get here, now with only one month to go!
Arpan explains the 'Peace Train' which will carry the torch around the grounds.
Liz starts us on the Peace Run Train around the park.
As the energetic Peace Engine carrying the torch all the children have to stay on the 'track' as the Peace Train makes its way around.
Afterwards the chlldren enjoy a few moments with the torch, as a group...
...and individually.
Making happy wishes for peace.
We are grateful to Leanna Shultz, Recreational Coordinator, and Liz Royce and this great group of children at Sibley Park.
In the park Pavaka (Canada) tries his hand at shoveling in the sandbox. He may have a new occupation after this.
The team then drove to the Motion Care Clinic to be treated by a master Physical Therapist, Jim Olson and his son Kris.
Jim and Kris, who had to leave before this photo was taken, generously offered great body work and adjustments which will help to keep us on the road for the rest of our run.
In the evening we had a delicious pot-luck meal with some friends from Minneapolis who kindly brought food for us all to enjoy.
