  This
journal entry was written November 5. This week the 5th
graders kicked into a new gear and really accumulated some mileage!
They zipped right through the Montana border from Idaho and were past
their hometown of Missoula by week's end - passing the 4th grade class
along the way. Must be the fresh Montana air that is energizing them!
The picture to the right is the Montana border at the top of Lolo Pass
(elevation 5,235 feet) on Highway 12, which both classes virtually
crossed this week... in snow!
Click here to view a web cam at the
top of Lolo Pass.
Both
classes are currently ahead of the target pace needed to finish the
trek by the end of the school year. This is good, because Old Man
Winter is starting to make his presence known with cooler temperatures
and snow in the upper elevations of Montana. We can actually see snow
on the tops of many mountains surrounding Missoula, although we do not
have any snow in the Missoula valley. For those of you who are
wondering, Missoula's elevation is 3,200 feet. Once the snow begins to
pile up, the students will find it challenging to acquire mileage
outside. So, it is good that they're a bit ahead of the pace right
now. Also, it is not uncommon for the thermometer to drop down to 10
degrees or lower during the winter. That will also create a challenge
for running/walking outside. The next few months will truly reveal the
perseverance and determination of both classes!
The
4th and 5th grade students have a long road ahead of them in Montana.
The route through Montana extends 618 miles, border to border.
This state accounts for 20% of the entire trek across America, and it
is the largest state the students will cross! Montana is not only "Big
Sky Country", it is also "Sprawling Terrain Country". The terrain
varies from the mountainous portions in Western Montana, to the flat
farmlands of Eastern Montana. The scenery is breathtaking and the
selected route has a low volume of vehicle traffic. The students are
aiming for the North Dakota Border and should reach there by late
December or early January. The following picture shows the students'
hometown in Montana - the city of Missoula.
The
students have traveled about 75 miles into Montana so far and have
encountered the following towns and locations:
Lolo Hot Springs;
Lolo;
Missoula; Milltown,
Bonner, Miller, Twin Creeks, and Potomac.
They have experienced the
Lolo National Forest and the
Bitterroot
National Forest. The
Travelers' Rest State Park was a historical
location they virtually passed by this week, and of course they
ran/walked past their own school - Russell Elementary School - in
Missoula, as well as the
University of Montana. Next week they will
travel to the city of
Helena, the capitol of Montana.
Have
you visited this web site before and not encouraged the kids? Please
take a quick moment now to
encourage them!
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Some Encouraging
Notes We Received This Week: |
Hi
Kids: You're doing great! I'm a runner and I've ran a 5km (3.1
miles) race in just under 30 minutes. I'm just 7 years old. Let's
see if together you can get more than 210 miles in one week.
Keep up the good work. I'll be checking on you.
Matthew Baker
2nd Grade Student
Benjamin Franklin School
Westfield, New Jersey
 Note:
Ironically, the total mileage of both classes for this week adds up
to exactly 210 miles! 4th Grade had 69 miles and 5th grade had 141
miles. Thanks for the encouragement Matthew!
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I
am very proud you have reached Missoula; wish I were there to run
with you. It is snowing in the Western Washington mountains and the
ski season is starting. Keep running and you all will get to the
finish line.
Ann Denzer
Tacoma, Washington
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