Last night we had a wonderful stay at Crescent City Redwoods KOA. The owner of the campground, Kevin, has offered us accommodation for over 10 years now and we are extremely grateful for his kindness and support. On the picture with one of his enthusiastic and supportive staff members.
We met few people before our drive to Oregon. Of course, we let them add their wishes for peace to our Peace Torch.
First beautiful mountain views in Oregon.
This beautiful garden belongs to Mahasamrat Bill Pearl and Bhavatarini Judy Pearl. They were dear friends of the founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chinmoy and have supported the Peace Run for many years. It is always a delight for the whole team to visit them.
We received a heartfelt welcome and they generously offered us a delicious buffet lunch served in their garden.
The view from the garden.
The wild animals also feel very much at home around their house.
These pet tortoises live in the garden too.
The feeding time
One of Mahasamrat's great passions is restoring old cars.
Admiring the cars...
This picture shows the original condition of the yellow car.
After years of loving restoration...
Bhavatarini is showing the engine to Mandra.
Bhavatarini and Mahasamrat.
Bansidhar and Salil are ready to go for a ride.
Zuzka exploring the Mustang.
The restorations include all the details including the horns.
In the picture there was a horn honking competition with Bhavatarini and Salil. The rest of the team are judging.
The Barn is hiding the sacred state of the art Gym.
During the 1950s and '60s, Mahasamrat Bill Pearl won many titles and awards, including winning the Mr. Universe contest five times, and was named "World’s Best-Built Man of the Century." He became an expert trainer and author on bodybuilding. Here is a special montage of his career that hangs in his gym.
The team will join these guys for a 5 am workout.
After a brief visit to the gym, we drove to Mahasamrat's office. It is filled with an amazing assortment of tin toys, antique bicycles, old games, strength testers and the many awards he received from the Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy.
The Gang...
Group photograph after the amazing lunch.
Before parting with Bhavatarini's sister Paula Munoz (on the left) and her friend Barbara O'Malley who joined us for lunch.
More friends came to visit us later. In the picture are Brenda and Mark Olfson. Brenda joined Mahasamrat's and Bhavatarini's gym 26 years ago. She is a great runner.
Our team demonstrated our school presentations.
After the presentation, we offered Bhavatarini and Mahasamrat the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch Bearer Award for their lifelong service to humanity.
Brenda and Mark received a Certificate of Appreciation.
Spending time with Bhavatarini and Mahasamrat was very precious for all of us.
Being surrounded by their goodness, kindness and love is always an honor and very restorative for the whole team.
